Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
Year-round
About Avalon Resort
Avalon is a privately owned clothing-optional resort near Paw Paw in Hampshire County, in the mountains of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, about two hours west of Washington, D.C. It was founded around 1995 by Phyllis and Patrick Gaffney, who still run it, and celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gala in 2025. A 2025 newspaper feature reprinted by AANR gives it about 250 rolling acres; listings elsewhere give smaller figures. Accommodation ranges from open tent camping and RV sites to bunkhouses, cabins, lodge rooms and rental condos, and some members live on site year-round; an adjoining development, Somerset, is a separate clothing-optional community. Facilities include an indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool, hot tubs, saunas, a fitness room, a restaurant and bars, pickleball courts, hiking and jogging trails, a library with a naturism section, a community garden and a memorial orchard. Nudity is the norm but clothing is optional; public sexual activity and photography in common areas are banned. The crowd is mostly older couples, many retired from military or government jobs, with some families. It also hosts Avalonfest, a music and crafts festival in August.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on private property in West Virginia when not exposed to public view. The resort bans public sexual activity and photography in common areas.
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Avalon is at 223 Avalon Lane, Paw Paw, WV 25434, close to the Paw Paw Tunnel on the C&O Canal; there is no public transport, so you need a car. Non-members can visit on daily or weekly fees, or book lodging or camping; a travel guide quoted camping from about $25 a night. Membership requires prior AANR membership, three earlier visits and an approved application, and a 2024-25 report gave annual fees of $500 for a single and $800 for a couple. Check the resort's own site for current day fees, age rules and single-guest policy before visiting.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
39.4568, -78.4650
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit for the day?
Yes. Non-members can pay daily or weekly visitation fees; check the resort for current prices.
Do I need to be a member?
No for a visit. Membership requires AANR membership, three prior visits and an approved application.
Is nudity required?
No. It is clothing optional, though nudity is the norm.
What rules should I know?
Photography in common areas and public sexual activity are prohibited, and staring or inappropriate touching can get you asked to leave.
Is it open in winter?
Yes. It has an indoor pool and residents year-round, though the outdoor pool is seasonal.
Sources
- AANR: Grin and bare it at this nudist resort (Paul Schwartzman, 2025) Official
- WBOY: Did you know that West Virginia has a nudist resort?
- Expedia: Avalon Resort - Clothing Optional
- The Wayward Home: camp nude at these 16 campgrounds
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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