Country
United States
Reviews
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Family friendly
Yes
Season
Summer
About Maryland Health Society
The Maryland Health Society, known to members as MaHeSo, is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit nudist park in Davidsonville, in the rural southwest of Anne Arundel County between Annapolis and Washington, D.C. Its own listings give a founding date of 1934, which makes it one of the older naturist clubs on the East Coast, and describe about 96 acres of woodland beside the Patuxent River. Members own some 25 cabins on the grounds, and RV and rustic tent sites can be rented by non-members. Facilities mentioned in listings include a swimming pool and a children's play area. The club is affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation, and it is one of only two landed nudist clubs in Maryland. It keeps a low public profile, with little web presence beyond social media, and holds summer events such as a skinny-dip day and a nude bull roast, both listed for July 2025. In 2013 a former cabin resident sued the club alleging it had become a swingers' venue; the club denied the claims and the court dismissed her case. Visitors should expect a traditional, member-governed club rather than a commercial resort.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on this private property in Maryland. Maryland has no public nude beaches, so private clubs like this are the main legal option.
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
The park is in Davidsonville off US-50 and Route 424, about 20 minutes from Annapolis and 40 minutes from Washington, D.C.; a car is needed. The club does not publish visitor rates or rules online, so contact it through its social media page or a campsite listing to arrange a first visit, and expect to bring photo ID. Non-members can rent RV and tent sites.
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
38.9229, -76.6277
Frequently asked questions
Can non-members visit the Maryland Health Society?
Yes. Non-members can rent RV and tent sites, but arrange the visit in advance because rates and rules are not published online.
Is it family friendly?
Listings mention a children's play area and describe it as a traditional family club.
How old is the club?
It says it was established in 1934, and it has been at Davidsonville for most of that time.
Is it affiliated with a naturist organisation?
Yes. Listings describe it as a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation.
Sources
- Secret Annapolis-Area Nudist Club Struggles With Inclusivity - NBC Washington (2020)
- Details of the Maryland nude feud - Baltimore Fishbowl (2013, search result)
- Anne Arundel Co. nudist dispute continues - WTOP (2013, search result)
- Maryland Health Society - Hipcamp (search result)
- 2025 Shenanigans Activity calendar (search result)
Researched 25 October 2026 .
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