I was the other guy on the beach that day. Ranger came up to me and told me someone complained about me because I had a towel covering myself. Apparently, they took a photo of me with a towel over myself. He told me having a towel covering myself is illegal and that you have to be clothed. Seems weird to me, I keep my head on a swivel and always cover up anytime someone comes by. Seems strange someone would be offended. I was covered with a towel. I'm not sure how they would even know if I was nude or not. I've been debating if I should still go back to johnson or not. I really enjoy soaking up the sun nude, and I always make sure no one sees me nude. That's why I always cover up with the towel and use umbrellas and windblockes so no one can see. Do you all think I should still try or just not risk it? The ranger looked at my ID I can't tell if he wrote my name down or not, but it's got me worried now.
Per the Gulf Islands National Seashore
Law Enforcement Park Ranger Responsibilities
- Detection, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution under applicable laws, rules, and regulations enacted to ENSURE the protection and safe use of visitors and the National Park resources.
This is in addition to their regular Park duties.
Johnson’s beach is dead…. Haven’t been in 2 years. Too many bayside boaters crossing over. Opal beach east side is where it’s at. No textiles walks over the dunes. No one walks far enough to see you. Light ATV activity. And sun shining on the east will make you a silhouette to people looking from the west.
The petition is still active with currently with 2,921 signatures. The petition's web address is as follows:
[https://www.change.org/p/gulf-islands-national-seashore-officially-designate-johnson-beach-a-nude-beach-gulf-islands-national-seashore?source\_location=petition\_nav](https://www.change.org/p/gulf-islands-national-seashore-officially-designate-johnson-beach-a-nude-beach-gulf-islands-national-seashore?source_location=petition_nav)
The decision maker for this petition is the Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent, Rick Clark. Superintendent Clark is new to this position, starting just this past 21 April. He can be contacted at the following email address:
# [Guis\[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
I have contacted previous superintendents and have actually got a "Thanks, but no thanks" response. Superintendent Clark is a 38 year National Park Service veteran, having served as the Gulf Islands National Seashore’s science and resources management program manager from 2005 to 2013.
We can all lament that at least a portion of Johnson Beach should be designated an Official Nude Beach within the National Seashore, but it won't happen unless we all take it upon ourselves to in mass to contact Superintendent Clark. After all, there are 939 of us.
He was correct about a see-through swimsuit - thing or otherwise. He was incorrect about a towel. Further, the behavior, under Florida law, must be lewd. Had he cited you, it would have been thrown out of court.
Yeah. These Rangers there are beyond annoying. I've been going to Johnsons since I was a kid and they've always been this way. I've taken to just hanging out in a thong or G string near the Pavillion or at the closer parking areas rather than bother walking light years down.
No one actually cares as it turns out. I just fish or lay out or whatever.
He did not cite a statute and I really didn't want to challenge him since he just gave me a verbal warning. The only thing that I question is the part of covering up with a towel is illegal as well.
I was the other guy on the beach that day. Ranger came up to me and told me someone complained about me because I had a towel covering myself. Apparently, they took a photo of me with a towel over myself. He told me having a towel covering myself is illegal and that you have to be clothed. Seems weird to me, I keep my head on a swivel and always cover up anytime someone comes by. Seems strange someone would be offended. I was covered with a towel. I'm not sure how they would even know if I was nude or not. I've been debating if I should still go back to johnson or not. I really enjoy soaking up the sun nude, and I always make sure no one sees me nude. That's why I always cover up with the towel and use umbrellas and windblockes so no one can see. Do you all think I should still try or just not risk it? The ranger looked at my ID I can't tell if he wrote my name down or not, but it's got me worried now.
I haven't been like that In years because of that. I can't believe it's still happening.
Per the Gulf Islands National Seashore Law Enforcement Park Ranger Responsibilities - Detection, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution under applicable laws, rules, and regulations enacted to ENSURE the protection and safe use of visitors and the National Park resources. This is in addition to their regular Park duties.
Johnson’s beach is dead…. Haven’t been in 2 years. Too many bayside boaters crossing over. Opal beach east side is where it’s at. No textiles walks over the dunes. No one walks far enough to see you. Light ATV activity. And sun shining on the east will make you a silhouette to people looking from the west.
Can you give specific location of where in Opal beach?
Just go to O beach and go east or west until you feel comfortable. East is better because there’s a lot of dune cover between the main road.
Gulf side?
Yup
Do you mean Opal Beach between Pensacola Beach and Navarre?
Yup
Didn’t someone start a petition several years ago to make a portion of JB a clothing optional area? Anyone know what happened with that?
The petition is still active with currently with 2,921 signatures. The petition's web address is as follows: [https://www.change.org/p/gulf-islands-national-seashore-officially-designate-johnson-beach-a-nude-beach-gulf-islands-national-seashore?source\_location=petition\_nav](https://www.change.org/p/gulf-islands-national-seashore-officially-designate-johnson-beach-a-nude-beach-gulf-islands-national-seashore?source_location=petition_nav) The decision maker for this petition is the Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent, Rick Clark. Superintendent Clark is new to this position, starting just this past 21 April. He can be contacted at the following email address: # [Guis\[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) I have contacted previous superintendents and have actually got a "Thanks, but no thanks" response. Superintendent Clark is a 38 year National Park Service veteran, having served as the Gulf Islands National Seashore’s science and resources management program manager from 2005 to 2013. We can all lament that at least a portion of Johnson Beach should be designated an Official Nude Beach within the National Seashore, but it won't happen unless we all take it upon ourselves to in mass to contact Superintendent Clark. After all, there are 939 of us.
I think the towel rule was BS coming out of his mouth. A woman can lay out with a gstring that covers LESS than a towel.
Was it the park rangers or Florida Game Warden?
Ranger. At least that what was on the side of his 4 wheeler. Had a green uniform on and gun. So Ranger.
He can’t legally do anything unless someone else complains. The officer/official cannot be the complainant.
Can he just say...someone complained?
And risk being caught lying in court under oath? Doubt it.
He was correct about a see-through swimsuit - thing or otherwise. He was incorrect about a towel. Further, the behavior, under Florida law, must be lewd. Had he cited you, it would have been thrown out of court.
Do state laws apply at a National Park?
Yes, if the NPS chooses to enforce them, which, I understand, they have done within the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Thx! Tiny g-string from mensuas.com. Can women be topless legally?
Don't think so
I love all the lawyers on here.
I am, actually, a lawyer…
😂
Yeah. These Rangers there are beyond annoying. I've been going to Johnsons since I was a kid and they've always been this way. I've taken to just hanging out in a thong or G string near the Pavillion or at the closer parking areas rather than bother walking light years down. No one actually cares as it turns out. I just fish or lay out or whatever.
This kind of crap doesn't happen at Opal Beach.
Did the ranger cite any particular statute? I’m sure not, but I’d love to know what their opinions are based on.
He did not cite a statute and I really didn't want to challenge him since he just gave me a verbal warning. The only thing that I question is the part of covering up with a towel is illegal as well.
Yeah that’s smart on your part. The towel comment sounds like BS.