Uncle Al wrote:See https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=31193 for further info.HG.org wrote:There are no federal laws either for or against nudity,
except to the extent that it may be protected under the
First Amendment right to freedom of expression. Local
laws will take precedence when the question of nudity
relates to federal lands, such as federal parks, beaches,
and other facilities.
As far as the National Park Service is concerned,
see https://www.nps.gov/policy/SD-91-3.pdf
Nudism has been classified by the N.P.S. as a form of
recreation, therefore the N.P.S. does not have any 'rules'
against nudism. But the "Local" bureaucrats can be
a real pain in the chair about this. Tread lightly
Uncle Al
Thanks, guys. I didn't know whether it was local or NPS rules, but I do know the NPS rangers had been enforcing it on the Nat'l Seashore.
I found this statement on a website, though it is not a NPS official statement:
Visitors to the site have long experienced the acceptence and
tacit approval of both NPS and US Fish & Wildlife Rangers towards
clothing-optional recreational use in isolated sections of their
respective areas, even though mere nudity is a misdemeanor violation
under North Carolina's Indecent Exposure law. Even though Title 18 of
the US Code, section 13, assimilates state and local ordinances on Federal
lands, and allows Rangers to enforce these laws on areas with concurrent
jurisdiction, there is no constitutional requirement that Rangers enforce
these laws. Rather, they can use their own discretion, as they have been
doing all these years. NPS policy statements written in response to
various inquiries have stated that it is NPS policy to initiate action
concerning nude sunbathers only if there is a complaint from another visitor, and to
first handle the complaint informally by asking that people get dressed.
If the person does not comply with the Ranger's request, then the policy
allows him to issue a written warning or citation for violation of either
various Codes of Federal Regulations or various state or local ordinances.
Another non-official website reported an inquiry to the NPS about nudity, and the blogger reported being told by rangers that topless sunbathing was not prohibited but that genitals and anus had to be covered, and a thong bikini bottom was the minimum standard of coverage allowed. Again, that was a travel blogger report regarding Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and not an official statement.
The appearance is that NPS rangers may enforce the NC law at their discretion, but that may vary by circumstance and administrator. So, in other words, clear as mud.
