“This is not a place just for Ken and Barbie dolls,” Jester said.

More than a fad

Every nudist has an origin story. Some were raised in permissive homes and have been comfortable with nakedness since childhood. Others came to nudism in middle age or later.

Jester, 73, realized he didn’t much like clothing as a 10-year-old. His first adult experience with nudism came around 1985 at the nudist Black’s Beach in San Diego. “It just felt free,” he remembered.

Before retiring in 2009, he worked as an engineer and customer service manager. His job was stressful, and he said he vividly remembers the feeling of relief he felt visiting Blue Lake for the first time in 1993.

“When I came through the gate, it felt like a load was taken off,” he said.

For Huebner, the full-time resident at Blue Lake, early adventures in nudism involved skinny-dipping with her husband and their friends.

Since joining in 1983, she has seen Blue Lake become more popular each year, reflecting the growing acceptance of nudism nationally.