Can You Go Nude Camping in Colorado? Here’s the Truth

Maybe you have heard the rumors? Coloradans are soaking in hot springs and camping deep in the backcountry without clothes on. Is this legal? There is no statewide ban on nudity in Colorado; the legality depends on your intent and location.

This is why some get away with naked camping, and others end up with a citation. It’s a confusing gray area that leaves people wondering what is allowed. Let’s take a closer look at the rules that can save you from an awkward and costly mistake.

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What Colorado Law Actually Says About Nudity

Read More: Colorado Hot Springs Where You Can Be Legally Naked

Simply put, the state of Colorado has no law that bans nudity; instead, the laws focus on public indecency. Running around exposing yourself like some deviant is considered public indecency. Non-sexual nudity can often go unnoticed but is still subject to complaints. Now add confusion with cities and counties that can enforce stricter local ordinances, making what’s acceptable in one part of Colorado potentially illegal in another.

Where Nude Camping Is Allowed (and the Public Land Gray Area)

If your idea of camping in Colorado does not include clothing, you will want to plan on camping on private land, clothing-optional resorts, or select hot springs that explicitly allow it. Running around naked on public lands like BLM areas on the Western Slope may be the fastest way to find out that state and local laws still apply. If you want zero guesswork, these Colorado spots explicitly allow clothing-optional stays:

• Mountain Air Ranch: A long-running naturist resort with campsites, hiking trails, and a pool.
• Orient Land Trust / Valley View Hot Springs: A large, remote property where nudity is widely accepted across much of the land.
• Orvis Hot Springs: Clothing-optional soaking with overnight lodging and camping options nearby.

Where You Definitely Should NOT Try It

Read More: What Colorado City Is Ranked Highest In U.S. For Naked Biking?

Nudity at the KOA campground, or any developed campground, state park, or high-traffic outdoor areas, is the worst place to test the limits. Trying to go nude at Colorado National Monument, along the Colorado Riverfront Trail, or in busy dispersed camping zones near Grand Junction is a fast track to complaints—and likely enforcement. These public areas make it far easier for someone to feel “alarmed,” which is exactly what triggers legal trouble under Colorado law.