Location
Germany
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Grass / lawn
Best season
June to August
About Barchfeld: Baggersee - FKK Strand
The Kiesgrube Immelborn is a pair of flooded gravel pits on the B62 between Immelborn and Barchfeld, south-east of Bad Salzungen in the Werra valley of western Thuringia. The lakes sit either side of the road and have been an official bathing area since the early 1980s, with a campsite, snack bar and beer garden, boat hire, a playground and a floating wooden sunbathing platform. Nude bathing takes place on the rear shore, away from the main beach and the facilities; reports place it at the far end of the beach section, and one detailed account puts it on the northern lake (the left-hand side when coming from Bad Salzungen). The shore mixes sunny lawns with shaded little coves in a wooded stretch, and the lake bed at the entry points is gravelly and stony but manageable barefoot. Water quality is described as very good, though the lake can feel cool. A recurring complaint is that visitors drive and park right up to the waterline, taking over lawn space. Further gravel pits to the north are partly still being worked and are less attractive.
Getting there
The site lies directly on the B62 (Barchfelder Straße) between Immelborn and Barchfeld, south-east of Bad Salzungen. Coming from Bad Salzungen, the main area with gastronomy and the campsite is on the right, the lake used for nude bathing on the left. An entry fee is charged in season; in 2011 two people with a car paid 3 EUR. Cars can drive onto the grounds and park close to the shore, so walking distances are short. The site is open roughly May to September, typically 9:00 to 21:00 depending on weather. Dogs are not allowed in the lake or on the lawns.
What visitors say
Visitors praise the clear, clean water and the mix of sunny lawns and shaded coves on the nude side, and value the low entry price. The most common complaint is cars parked directly on the lawns by the water, which squeezes sunbathing space and spoils the atmosphere for some. The main side with the beer garden and campsite is busier and family-oriented. A few note the water stays cool and that the shore entry is gravelly. Accounts differ slightly on which lake hosts the nude area, so ask staff on arrival.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Nude bathing on the rear shore is a long-standing custom tolerated by the operator rather than a designated zone confirmed by the municipality; no official source naming an FKK area was found. A campsite listing states that one of the two lakes (Kiessee 1) is not released for bathing, so swim only where bathing is permitted and follow on-site signs.
Naturism at Barchfeld: Baggersee - FKK Strand sits under Germany's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Germany public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 50.7991, 10.2903
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Germany
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude area at Kiesgrube Immelborn?
On the rear shore, away from the main beach; one detailed account places it on the northern lake, to the left of the B62 coming from Bad Salzungen.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, a modest seasonal fee is charged; in 2011 it was 3 EUR for two people with a car.
Are there facilities?
The site has a snack bar and beer garden, hot showers, toilets, boat hire, a playground and a campsite.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed in the lake or on the sunbathing lawns.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Members’ reviews
Write a review →Loading member reviews…