De Motte, Indiana
Ponderosa Sun Club
Ponderosa Sun Club is a family-oriented naturist club in rural De Motte, Indiana, roughly an hour south of Chicago and just east of the Illinois border.
- Campground
- Rv Park
- Lodging
- Service
About this place
Ponderosa Sun Club is a family-oriented naturist club in rural De Motte, Indiana, roughly an hour south of Chicago and just east of the Illinois border. It's been operating since the 1960s and maintains AANR affiliation, putting it squarely in the network of traditional member-owned cooperatives that form the backbone of Midwestern naturism. The property sprawls across wooded acreage with a mix of permanent trailers, RV hookups, and tent camping sites connected by gravel roads. Facilities include a heated pool, hot tub, volleyball courts, and a clubhouse with a small kitchen for potlucks and social events. Summer weekends bring the property to life with themed parties, outdoor movie nights, and organized activities, while weekdays tend to be quieter with a core group of regulars. This is a members-and-guests operation. First-time visitors can typically arrange day passes by calling ahead, and annual memberships run a few hundred dollars. The grounds are well-maintained in a no-frills style — expect basic campsite utilities and a casual, lived-in atmosphere rather than resort polish. The club draws mostly from the Chicago metro area and northwest Indiana, serving a regional community that values low-key social nudity and outdoor recreation without the commercial feel of larger resorts.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Primarily families and couples from the Chicago area and northwest Indiana. The crowd skews toward longtime naturists and AANR regulars rather than first-timers. Summer weekends bring a multigenerational mix, with kids running around the pool and retirees settled in at permanent sites. Weekday visitors are typically older members who live on-site or nearby. The vibe is cooperative and community-focused rather than resort-style.
How to find it
De Motte sits in rural Jasper County, about 60 miles southeast of downtown Chicago via I-65. The club is on a county road northeast of town — you'll need specific directions from management when you arrange your visit, as it's not prominently signed from main roads. Parking is on-site. Nearest services and supplies are in De Motte proper, a small farming town with basic amenities.
Things to watch out for
This is a members-and-guests club — you can't just show up. Call ahead to arrange a day pass or tour. Membership is required for regular visits. Indiana summers are hot and humid; spring and fall are more temperate. Mosquitoes can be aggressive in wooded areas during warm months. Facilities are basic campground-grade, so set expectations accordingly if you're used to commercial resorts.
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Etiquette & ground rules
Carry a towel to sit on everywhere — chairs, benches, pool loungers. Photography requires explicit permission from anyone who'd be in frame. Kids are welcome, but parents are responsible for supervision. Alcohol is allowed in moderation at your campsite but not around the pool. Respect that some areas near permanent trailers are private residential spaces. Clothing is required in the front office and parking area. Most members go nude by the pool and common areas once checked in.
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