Location
United States
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Rock
Best season
July to August
About The Ledges Nude Beach
The Ledges is a clothing-optional stretch of granite shoreline on Harriman Reservoir (Lake Whitingham) in Wilmington, southern Vermont, just north of the Ward's Cove picnic area and boat launch. It is one of the best-known nude swimming spots in New England and has been used that way for decades. The nude area starts past a posted sign warning of nude sunbathers, beyond the picnic sites; the main social spots are flat granite ledges further along the shore, with a small strip of sand that appears only when the water is low. Harriman is a hydroelectric reservoir, so levels can rise or fall quickly and the little beach is sometimes under water. The water is clear, cold and entered from rocks, and there is a rope swing. On summer weekends 100 or more people may come, roughly two men to every woman, mixing long-time naturists, couples, solo visitors and locals; weekdays are quiet. In the late 1990s complaints about sexual activity in the woods led Wilmington to pass a public indecency ordinance in 2001, which residents and the group Friends of the Ledges got overturned in 2003.
Getting there
From Route 100 in Wilmington turn onto Boyd Hill Road, then follow the Ward's Cove (Ward's Beach) access road downhill to the picnic area and boat launch; there are no signs for 'The Ledges'. The small parking areas fill quickly on summer weekends. From the parking area walk down the access road, turn right toward the water, and follow the shoreline trail with the reservoir on your left, across a small footbridge and past an old stone structure, about half a mile over roots and uneven ground. Not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. No public transport; cell signal is weak.
What visitors say
Visitors describe a friendly, respectful and long-established crowd, good swimming, sunbathing on the warm granite and a rope swing, and say it is one of the most popular inland nude spots in New England. The gender balance leans male. Practical complaints are hard rock surfaces (bring a thick mat), tight parking on summer weekends, unpredictable water levels that can flood the little beach, and poor cell signal. Earlier problems with sexual behavior in the woods were a major issue around 2000 and are now mentioned less often.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Vermont has no statewide ban on simple public nudity. Wilmington's Selectboard passed a public indecency ordinance aimed at the Ledges in June 2001, but it was overturned in 2003 after a campaign by Friends of the Ledges and naturist groups, and nude use has continued since, with a posted sign marking where nudity begins.
Naturism at The Ledges Nude Beach sits under United States's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
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Approx. 42.8344, -72.8698
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at the Ledges?
Vermont has no statewide ban on simple nudity, and Wilmington's 2001 anti-nudity ordinance was overturned in 2003. The area is unofficial but long tolerated.
Where does the nude area start?
Past the sign warning of nude sunbathers beyond the Ward's Cove picnic area; the main ledges are further along the shoreline trail.
How do I get there?
Take Boyd Hill Road off Route 100 in Wilmington, then the access road to Ward's Cove; walk about half a mile north along the shore.
Is there sand?
Only a small strip when the reservoir is low. Most people lie on the flat granite ledges.
Are there toilets?
Basic toilets are at the picnic area before the nude section; there is no food or water.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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