10/02

Most everyone knows about the official nude beach at Gateway National Recreation Area, Gunnison, but few take advantage of the nice quieter beaches on the bayside where you can take your top off with little chance of hassle since there are no lifeguards and very few ranger patrols. Here's how to get to one good area (but on a weekend you have to get there early): drive past the main beaches and the ranger station and continue on to the fork. Rather than follow the beaches sign which takes you to the right and to Gunnison, continue straight ahead toward Ft. Hancock, then immediately look for one of the two small parking lots on the right side. Park, cross the street, and follow the trails about 50 feet to the beach. Walk to your right until you are away from most of the people. There won't be many, because there is little parking on the bay side. The beach is too narrow for the ranger patrols, but there is an access road in back of the beach, so I find a spot where there is no direct view from the access road. Rangers seldom get out of their SUVs - they don't walk the beach and they don't peer from the dunes with binoculars any more - but occasionally there is one on horseback. Whatever you do, don't take drugs to Sandy Hook. The Rangers are a no-nonsense group, and while I have never seen them hassle anyone for being topfree, I have seen plenty people taken out in plastic handcuffs for drug possession.

--Carol, Red Bank, New Jersey