Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs elaborate on some of the Rules.

What are the customs at LOWC regarding when people are nude?

We are a nudist club, and we expect people to participate in nude recreation together. Nudity is expected in the common areas: the pool, hot tub, sauna, lake, beaches, piers, clubhouse, and the lawn area between the pool, clubhouse, and beach. As you’ll find out, it’s really no big deal.

Nudity is permitted (and customary) everywhere on the grounds. There are clearly marked cover-up zones for locations where you might be visible from outside.

We use common sense and cover up if it is chilly, to protect against sunburn or specific plants, when we are working around tools, etc., and of course, we are dressed when we leave the grounds. Most of us prefer to be nude when it is comfortable to be nude. Women may wear shorts (swimsuit bottoms are not acceptable) when body functions necessitate; however, shorts are not allowed in the pool, hot tub, sauna, or lake.

Remember: wherever you wander, always have a towel or wrap with you for two reasons: To cover up when needed (as mentioned above), and to lay down between your bum and the surface on which you're intending to put it! Nudists are a hygienic bunch.

What about wearing jewelry and bling ‘down there’?

Adorn yourself as you like, no one will mind. However, you’re probably wondering if you will feel ‘underdressed’ without it here. At Lake O’ The Woods Club, understated, or none, is the norm. Likewise, with regard to shaving (or not): do what is comfortable for you.

Are visitors required to be nude on their first visit?

‘yes.

When exactly do I remove my clothes?

Most people remove their clothes at their car and then check in. Others prefer to check in first and go back to their car to remove their clothes. Or remove them in the bathroom, or at a lounge chair. All that matters is that you do.

The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) also offers thoughtful insights, on what to expect on a first visit to a nudist club: aanr.com

Who will greet me when I get there?

The Gatekeeper is on duty between 9 AM and 5 PM daily, and will answer when you call from the keypad at the gate. When they open the gate for you, drive in, turn right, park your vehicle in the paved lot. Gather your I.D. and method of payment, then walk past the pool to the Clubhouse where the Gatekeeper will welcome you, get you registered, go over the Rules, give you a pointing tour of where everything is. (If you arrive in an RV, turn left into the RV lot instead of right, and park at the barn while you register with the Gatekeeper. Don’t pull into a slot until you check with the Gatekeeper.)

Can I get a tour?

After you register, the Gatekeeper on duty will give you a general orientation, which is all you’ll need at first. A member can usually be rounded up to give you a golf cart tour of the grounds - ask the Gatekeeper to help arrange it.

Can I get something to eat or drink at the club?

Dining Nude
Lunch: The Toasty Buns Grill offers grilled lunch options every Saturday and Sunday between 12:00 NOON and 1:00 PM. Menu varies but generally: 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb burgers, dogs and brats, bean or chicken or fish patties, and a special. chips included, and sometimes a yummy dessert that’s left over from Cake By The Lake. $5-$15. beverages are $2 from the cooler.

Dinner: On Saturdays there is usually a community dinner at 6 PM. Guests are warmly invited and welcome. (Cost is $0 - $20, depending on what's on the menu). All meals and events are open to everyone and are posted on the events calendar. Extra good vibes if you bring your own reusable non-breakable plate.

Hydration & Ice cream
Self-service soft drinks in cans, bottled water, and a variety of ice cream & frozen fruit bars are available for purchase ($2 for most items, $1 for water; change is available from the gatekeeper). Look for the coolers on the Clubhouse porch.

Libation beyond soft drinks
BYO. Please no glass containers anywhere near the pool or hot tub or clubhouse patio. Don’t put your alcoholic beverages in the shared guest refrigerator - they will be removed. Imbibe responsibly. Underage drinking is not allowed.

An ice machine is in the guest kitchen for individual use, such as water bottles. (It’s not adequate for filling coolers. instead, get bags of ice from nearby Walmart or filling stations).

Dining elsewhere
Many excellent restaurants are located in the city of Valparaiso within a mile or two from the club. Some deliver*

*The club’s address is 1353 Sager Road, Valparaiso.
Arrange to meet the delivery driver outside the gate, clothed of course. Don’t give the gate code to the delivery person)

Visitors may come and go during the day. get the gate code from the Gatekeeper or just ring to be buzzed in when you return, if between 9 and 5.

Grocery/DIY
Supermarkets (Strack & Van Til, Meier, Aldi, Walmart, Sunrise Co-op, Target, etc) are 5-10 minutes away by vehicle.

The Guest Kitchen is open for our guests to use (fridge, microwave, cooktop, oven, sink, hot water, nonbreakable dishes, utensils, spices. Everyone cleans up after oneself)

Options for staying overnight on the grounds

See our accommodations page:

Tent Camping: Primitive (no power, no running water)
Set up your tent anywhere (tho’ avoid low ground on rainy days) on the big field near the pickle ball/tennis court.

RV Sites on the Grounds
We have a handful of hookup RV Sites with different amps etc: Call the gatekeeper within 9 am and 5 pm to reserve (there is no charge to hold your reservation).

Short Term Rentals
A handful of members offer cabins as short term rentals. Search online for "Gated Nudist Community Valparaiso” and you should be able to find them. The club itself has no rental cabins or rooms.

I took a shower already today. Do I still need to shower before I get into the pool?

Yes! It makes a huge difference in the health and cleanliness of the water if we take a soapy shower (all over and under) and a good rinse every time we enter the pool or hot tub. Wash off all sunscreen, lake-water, sweat, dust. This helps conserve resources and ensures the pool and hot tub can stay open every day.

Will I need cash?

The Saturday dinners and lunches at the Toasty Buns Grill can be paid for with cash or credit card (typically $5 -15 per person). Soft drinks, bottled water, and ice cream are $1 - $2 ea, drop the cash into the nearby cash box. We don’t have an ATM; ask the Gatekeeper for change.

What can my children and grandchildren do at Lake O’ The Woods?

Kids LOVE it here. Basically, they would do what kids would do at any awesome camp. Here are some ideas.

What do people do in the Clubhouse?

The Clubhouse is a gathering area and the central spot for information, conversation, parties, pot lucks and meetings. It’s where the Registration Office is located, and where you will sign up for dinners and events (so the chef can get an accurate head count). There’s a hot tub, sauna, restrooms, and showers. Books, movies on vhs, t.v., a place with A/C to take a cool break on hot days, Lost & Found, rainy day yoga, and group happenings are sometimes held in the meeting room (aka Ballroom). The Board meets there at 9 am on the second Saturday of every month (Board meetings are A and AA members only; board meetings are not open to guests or C members). The guest kitchen provides a place to cook, heat up, or refrigerate your own meals, and get ice for your water bottle. Small lockers (bring your own lock) are in the hot tub room for the safekeeping of your wallet, keys, etc. An AED device is in the clubhouse.

What ages are the people who visit LOWC?

From .2 to 102+. Most of us at LOWC are active adults between 18 and 80, and some are retired, a few young families and multi-generation families. Some members were born here. We enjoy when members and guests bring their children and grandchildren. The average age of visitors in 2022 was 45.

Are the grounds accessible?

There is a ramp to the meeting room at the clubhouse, a ramp to the clubhouse (where the guest kitchen and restrooms are), and a step at the clubhouse shower stall. There is a ramp to the pool deck but no accessibility to the pool itself. The outdoor showers at the pool are easy access. An accessible Porta-Potty is located in the SE corner of the paved parking lot.

Can I fish nude?

Yes; Sager’s Lake offers great fishing including bluegills, crappies, and bass. You may take your catch home or catch-and-release, either way. You may use our boats and watercraft, or bring your own if you can launch it by hand. You may fish off the fishing pier at the clubhouse beach, or from a boat. Fishing from the sandy beaches is not allowed, nor is fishing from the East Pier docks and pier. No gasoline motors allowed; Electric motors are OK. Bring your own gear and tackle. Live bait from outside is not allowed in the lake.

Can I run nude on the trails?

Yes, if you are an A or AA member. If not, the new rule in 2026 says Visitors and C members must be accompanied by an A or AA member to use the trails. (Consider applying for A membership!) The terrain is hilly, winding, narrow, and full of roots - ideal for a trail run. Stick to our unpaved roads if you prefer to avoid trails. Carry a wrap to cover yourself where posted. (Check out the Guided History Hike and learn about the Club while hiking around the lake)

How easy is it to get to LOWC from Chicago?

LOWC is about 55 miles / 75 minutes southeast of downtown Chicago by car.
LOWC is less than 30 minutes south of the main east-west route through Indiana (I-80) that many people take when traveling across the country. Our grounds hug Highway 30 in the lovely city of Valparaiso, which is 15 miles east of I-65. More about How to Get Here at this link.

Many nudists who are in Chicago for business or other reasons, or passing through the Midwest, make it a point to pop down to visit. It’s an easy and worthwhile day trip.

I don't have a car. Is there public transportation from Chicago to LOWC?

There isn’t any direct train or bus. Here are some options: How to Get Here

Are single individuals welcome?

Yes - Our members include couples, families and singles. Single visitors are welcome here, which is not the case at most other nudist communities. Please keep foremost in mind that this is NOT a place to find a date or hookup. Being nude here is not an invitation.

Are there any cautions I should be aware of?

Single visitors, couples, families of any stripe or gender must feel safe here. We strive to create a safe, family-friendly environment for people of all ages to enjoy naturism free from stares, come-ons, and even innocent compliments. To that end, appropriate, wholesome behavior is expected at all times. Parents are expected to give their children constant supervision. All visitors are encouraged to inform the Gatekeeper or a board member immediately if someone is making them feel uncomfortable. If you are ‘that person’, you may be escorted to your vehicle and advised not to return.

*Lake O’ The Woods is NOT a swingers club, a lifestyle club, nor a place to seek a hookup. If you would prefer something along those lines, they exist: just narrow your internet search using those terms. Look for a place that is not affiliated with AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation), which is an organization with strict guidelines for the wholesome nudist clubs it will endorse.

What if someone is making me personally feel uncomfortable, or even unsafe?

This applies to any human being who is visiting our Club: If you are experiencing unwelcome attention (being stared at, leered at, commented upon, complimented, chatted up, being touched, being followed - whatever makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe) know that these behaviors are not acceptable here. If you are experiencing this, rather than leave, please tell or phone the Gatekeeper so we are aware, and can take appropriate action if necessary. We have a “Do Not Admit” list and it is not difficult for someone who disregards our wholesome vibe to get added to that list, and a letter sent informing them they are not welcome to return.

I am a friendly person. Can’t I tell someone that I simply appreciate how they look?

Your sincerely-meant compliment is unlikely to have the effect on the receiver that you intend. Is that a risk you are willing to take?

Will I see sexual activity, and is that O.K here?

Not so long ago, kissing your spouse on the cheek was considered inappropriate behavior at Lake O’ The Woods. Things have changed, but not much. In other words, no, sexual activity is not O.K. here, and that includes masturbation. Please keep your amorous activities private. (The hot tub, sauna, pool, the woods, and the lake are not considered private even if you’re the only one(s) there.)

Do you have WiFi?

Yes for A and AA members. No for C members and visitors. (Consider applying for A membership!)

I drive a truck. Is there truck parking at LOWC?

Sorry, no — Parking is limited, and so LOWC is unable to accommodate large trucks and/or tractors on the grounds.

Can I take selfies?

No. Photography and/or videography is not allowed anywhere on the grounds. The privacy of our members and visiting guests is of utmost importance. If you must have your cell phone with you, ask the Gatekeeper for the bright stickers that must be clearly visible covering all the camera eyes on both sides of your phone.

Anything else we should know?

Sometimes we have a few mosquitos in the evenings, so you might want to bring bug repellant. If you forget yours, check on top of the soda cooler on the porch of the clubhouse where there’s usually a stash of bug repellant and sunscreen. Help yourself. Life is good.