There’s two types of nudist resorts: commercial, and family-owned. The difference between them is the same that exists when comparing a major chain hotel with a bed and breakfast. The latter gives you the owners’ personal attention and often a lifelong friendship.
One such place is Bonita nudist resort in Candor, New York, west of Binghampton. The property is owned and managed by the Troegers and their two teenage children. Nudist Day visited them this past week and left impressed by their affable nature and their strong commitment to each other and naturist principles. Jerry and Annie, a Colombian just like our very own Alexandra, have been married for 18 years, but you’d think they were newlyweds by the amount of genuine affection they bestow on each other. Three years ago they bought a ramshackle nudist resort, formerly known as Buckridge, and lovingly restored and updated it. The club is located on a heavily forested hilltop, giving visitors the chance to walk naked on countless trails spread out over 100 acres, as well as swim in a small mountain lake.

Bonita has the usual facilities: pool, hot tub, club house, snack bar, unisex showers, etc. As for accommodations, there’s camping and hookups for RVs, as well as five gaily colored tiny cabins. The interior walls of these cabins are unpainted, but at just 40 dollars a night you probably won’t care as you’ll want to spend all your time enjoying the natural surroundings. Speaking of which, be sure to pack insect repellents as biting insects abound in wooded areas.

To get to Bonita, this author took a complicated combination of small country winding routes that included a few lucky guesses at forks in the road. Your best and only bet is to take Highway 17 (I-86) and then north on route 96 until you reach the village of Candor.

Related Sites:

• Bonita Nudist Resort’s web site