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 on both sides of the lake (North and South), except at four short stretches where you might be seen from the outside of the property: The causeway and the dam, and at the North and South gates. These are clearly marked as cover-up zones. Look for posted signs.

We use common sense and cover up if it is chilly, to protect against sunburn or certain 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.

Just 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?

The short answer is ‘yes’. However, we understand that social nudity is a new experience for some people, and we commend you for trying it out! We would prefer for visitors to jump right in and be nude from the get-go, but for those who are experiencing social nudity for the first time, we are happy to give them a few extra minutes to adjust to the experience. If there are aspects you are concerned about, feel free to talk it over with the gatekeeper, or with a club member (there’s always a few around). Many people who enjoy social nudity found that the first steps were the most challenging. While there is no specific rule about how quickly people need to disrobe, the sooner you get past those first few minutes of being nude, the better. We are interested in having people join us in our activities and we are happy to work with you to make the adjustment.

When exactly do I remove my clothes?

When you arrive and are buzzed through the gate onto the Grounds, park your vehicle. You’ll need to register at the Office first thing, and you can do that either totally nude (even on your first visit) or clothed, or some combination. Most people get nude right at their vehicle and bring in just the bare essentials (a towel, ID, sunscreen, credit card, a few bucks for pop and ice cream). Once you’re in the gate, you may take off your clothes anywhere you like. (make sure you can’t be seen from outside, though! We have a newly paved parking lot and some of the spots are in the visibility zone)

Ahem . . . this must be said: occasionally visitors think it’s O.K. to come to a nudist club and spend the day with clothes on with no intention of removing them, while they watch what others are doing. These visitors will be asked to get nude or leave. Voyeurs make everyone uncomfortable.

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 Sunday thru Friday, and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. The Gatekeeper will answer when you call from the keypad at the gate. Drive in, turn right, park your vehicle in the big lot, 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.

Bring your ID in with you, and take note of your license plate which will help speed you through the registration process.

Can I get a tour?

Tours aren’t available to the curious folks who ring the bell but have no intention of registering and sticking around. Come on in and register. The Gatekeeper on duty will give you a map and a general orientation, which is all you’ll need at first. We have no paid staff, but a member can sometimes be rounded up to give you a golf cart tour - 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 11:30 AM and 12:30 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. dessert and chips included; $6-$9. 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 - $15, 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 these in 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. Imbibe responsibly. Underage drinking is not allowed.

Is there Ice? Yes. There’s an ice machine in the guest kitchen for individual use (not for filling coolers).

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.

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

The Guest Kitchen is open for our guests to use (fridge, microwave, ice-maker, range, sink, unbreakable dishes, utensils, spices. Everyone cleans up after oneself)

Options for staying overnight on the grounds

See our accommodations page for details and prices:

Tent Camping: Primitive (no power, no running water)
A tent camping field is next to the pickle ball & tennis courts.

RV Sites on the Grounds
A handful of hookup RV Sites: It’s best to call ahead to reserve (there is no charge to hold your reservation).

Cabin or Private Room on the Grounds
A few members have rental rooms and cottages available to rent through AirBnB. 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, 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 to stay cool with A/C on hot days, Lost & Found, yoga, dances, 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 (members only; board meetings are not open to guests). The guest kitchen provides a place to cook, heat up, or refrigerate your own meals, and get ice. Small lockers are in the hot tub room for the safekeeping of your wallet, keys, etc. (bring a lock, as none are provided.) There’s an AED device 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 88, and some are retired, many are young families, and a few are 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, to the clubhouse (guest kitchen and restrooms), and a step to the clubhouse shower stall. There is a ramp to the pool deck but not accessibility to the pool itself. 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 piers. Fishing from the sandy beaches or the dog beach where lost hooks may hurt bare paws is not allowed. Gasoline motors are not allowed on Sager’s Lake. Electric motors are OK. Bring your own gear and tackle. Note that live bait from outside is not allowed in the lake.

Can I run nude on the trails?

Absolutely! This is why we exist, so you can do everything you like to do but without clothes. The terrain is hilly, narrow, and full of roots - ideal for a trail run. You can stick to our unpaved roads if you prefer to avoid trails. Carry a wrap to cover up where posted.

How easy is it to get to LOWC from Chicago?

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.

LOWC is about 55 miles / 75 minutes southeast of downtown Chicago by car.
We are 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.

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

We aren't on a bus line, but many guests do get here on the South Shore Line train and shuttle from Chicago, and by other means. It's just not very direct. The South Shore Line has been undergoing renovations, so check online for updates. Here are some options: How to Get Here

Are single individuals welcome?

Yes - Our members include couples, families and singles, but the majority are couples and families. Single visitors are welcome. This is a great place to enjoy the sunshine, play volleyball, chat with people who have something in common with you, swim or boat in the lake, or enjoy a good book in peace, but it is not a good place to find someone to date, or hook up with. Best that you don’t have that in mind when you’re here.

Are there any cautions I should be aware of?

Single visitors of any gender and families must feel safe here. We strive to create a safe, family-friendly environment for people of all ages and stripes to enjoy naturism free from stares, come-ons, and even innocently-intended compliments. To that end, appropriate, wholesome behavior is expected at all times. Parents are expected to give their children constant supervision. Visitors and guests are encouraged to inform the Gatekeeper or a board member immediately if anyone is making them uncomfortable. That person may be escorted to their vehicle and advised not to return, if anyone is made uncomfortable by behavior that is best suited for a different type of club*.

*If you would prefer that “other kind of club”, narrow your internet search for one that isn’t affiliated with AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation), which is an organization with strict guidelines for the wholesome nudist clubs it will endorse. Lake O’ The Woods is NOT a swingers club, a lifestyle club, nor a place to seek a hookup (unless you’re an RV.).

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

This applies to any human being who is a guest at LOWC: If you are being looked at, leered at, overheard commented upon, complimented (even if ‘well-meant’), receiving unwelcome pickup attempts, chatted up, touched, anything that makes you feel less than comfortable, know that these behaviors are not acceptable here. If you are experiencing this, rather than leave, please tell the Gatekeeper immediately 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 ignores our wholesome vibe to get added to that list.

I am a friendly person. Can’t I say that I simply appreciate how you 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 solo masturbation (whether you think you’re not visible to others or know you are). Sex is not allowed outdoors anywhere on the grounds. Please keep your amorous activities entirely private. If you do see other guests engaging in sexual activity anywhere on the grounds including on the lake, please let the Gatekeeper or a club member know so we can take appropriate action. Typically it involves escorting the person(s) to their vehicle(s) and ensuring they drive away.

Do you have free WiFi?

Not at this time.

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. Trucks can be parked at Walmart about 5 minutes east on HWY 30. You will then need to call a cab or ride-share (Lyft or Uber) for transportation to the club. Pickup trucks used for personal transportation are welcome in the parking lot.

Can I take selfies?

General photography is not allowed because 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 the camera eyes on both sides of your phone.

However, we really do want you to share your good times at Lake O’ The Woods on your social media and tag us — photos are worth thousands of words.

So, that said, follow the rule which says that a board member has to be nearby while you’re taking a few photos. There’s usually one around - ask the Gatekeeper. Keep it wholesome and squeaky clean.

And tag us:
#lowcfamilynaturists. #lakewoodsnudist #lakeothewoodsclubindiana #lowc #themostfunyoucanhaveinnorthwestindiana #bestkeptsecretinthemidwest #naturism

FB: @lowcfamilynaturists / Twitter: @lakewoodsnudist / Instagram: /lake.o.the.woods.club

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.