Nudism on Federal Land

[xell8]

Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

It's my understanding that being nude on Federal Land is not illegal. However, I could still be possibly charged on a local level. To get things straight to the point, off-trail, semi-reasonable expectation of privacy by being away from any main trails. I'm still on Federal Land or in a Federal Park though, so is it reasonable? If there was a situation, someone would basically have to be walking off-trail as well to find me. This is not exposing to others for personal arousal.

My questions would be, how would that process work? I assume it varies by state in some way as well, so I'm considering reasonable distance states from where I am. Hypothetically, let's say a Park Ranger or officer of some sort, that totally disagrees with what I'm doing, sneaks up. Are they going to be able to directly charge me, or detain me and wait for a local unit of some sort? Is this a terrible idea?

 

[Zigner]

We don't do hypotheticals here - sorry.

 

[xell8]

Well, I mean, this is something I already do, and have been doing since 2014. I'm just trying to make sure I understand it correctly.

 

[Zigner]

Well, I mean, this is something I already do, and have been doing since 2014. I'm just trying to make sure I understand it correctly.

Being in public pretty much does away with a "reasonable expectation of privacy".

 

[quincy]

Well, I mean, this is something I already do, and have been doing since 2014. I'm just trying to make sure I understand it correctly.

Don't get seen by others or caught by law enforcement and you won't have a problem. Otherwise, if seen and reported, you can be arrested and charged.

If you like running around naked, there are places that are specifically designed for nudists. I suggest you seek those out.

 

[adjusterjack]

Is this a terrible idea?

Doesn't matter what you do or where you do it, if you are concerned about getting arrested for it, don't do it.

Or do it and take your chances because nobody can predict what the reaction of any given law enforcement officer will be at any time under any circumstances.

 

[xell8]

I guess I understand what you're all saying, but where I am the trip to go to the only singles-friendly, not male-only resort is several hours away. I simply don't have the privacy at home, and I've looked at other options for years. I've tried posting craigslist ads willing to pay for private land access to tan nude, and the only people that contact me are old gay men. Literally searched a real-looking name from the responses, and it was a registered sex offender.

I guess I just hoped that maybe literally being in the woods on federal property meant something, since there are no federal crimes against it.

The wording in Alabama's state law makes it seem like I might not get charged:

(a) A person commits the crime of indecent exposure if, with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire of himself or of any person other than his spouse, he exposes his genitals under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm in any public place or on the private premises of another or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises.

https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-13a-criminal-code/al-code-sect-13a-6-68.html

I mean, if my intent is not sexual - simply being nude (sun tanning, etc) - and I make a reasonable effort by travelling over an hour to a federal park and walk 20 minutes off a trail into the woods and chance upon a slight clearing or a place with sun, I personally felt like I wasn't committing a crime. That's really the nature of my question.

 

[Zigner]

You ought to ask the appropriate authorities, as well as an attorney familiar with the matter.

 

[Just Blue]

Well, I mean, this is something I already do, and have been doing since 2014. I'm just trying to make sure I understand it correctly.

Ya know...when hiking with the kiddo's the very last thing I want to see is some guy/girl with their particular's blowing in the wind.

 

[Taxing Matters]

Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

It's my understanding that being nude on Federal Land is not illegal.

Actually, it may violate National Park Service (NPS) regulations. Those regulations provide that it is violation to commit disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct involves, among other things, creating a "physically offensive condition." Public nudity offends most people and may well fit in that defintion. Violation of a NPS regulation is a federal misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment. 18 USC § 1865.

The NPS can also refer cases of state law violations to state authorities as well. So if the state makes it an offense to be nude in public you could be hit with a charge for that.

So you do take a risk with your nudist activity on NPS lands.

 

[quincy]

Ya know...when hiking with the kiddo's the very last thing I want to see is some guy/girl with their particular's blowing in the wind.

I am thinking it would be an odd "particular" that could actually blow in the wind.

That said, I too would not want to be taking a pleasant hike on national park land and run across zell8 in all his naked glory.

 

[xylene]

You could just wear a speedo