Before you decide to go skinny-dipping, I highly encourage you to read the actual law, statute 17 A section 854, which defines and explains the kind of hot water you’d be in should you get caught.
Did you know that skinny-dipping has its roots in public bathhouses? Back in the 15th century, Europeans would relax into the holistic medicinal public baths where men could bond with men and women could socialize with women and both genders could cure what ailed them in separate bathhouses.
At some point, the nude men and the nude women decided to nude bathe together and that is where history gave us the bathing suit. This is also the point at which nude bathing became something of a taboo activity. Skip ahead to 1947 when the term ‘skinny-dipping’ was invented to describe the fun dare of naked swimming. For while skinny-dipping may not be illegal in some places, it certainly defies current social conventions, hence the fun part of doing something taboo.
Great places to go skinny-dipping in Maine
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But before your strip down to your birthday suit and do a cannon ball, you must first yield to these unspoken rules of skinny-dipping:
1) Go at night. There is less chance of getting caught in the act and getting embarrassed or worse, getting into trouble.
2) Don’t go alone. Who goes skinny-dipping alone? This is more of an I-dare-you type situation, so go with your friends.
3) No touching, staring or making lewd comments. Really? Do I seriously have to explain why this is not cool?
4) Don’t steal anyone’s clothes and shoes. You’re about to do something that requires at least some amount of trust among friends, don’t mess that up by being a jerk.
5) Don’t post about it on Facebook. Let this tale live on through stories you tell in person and probably over drinks.
And now…here are great places to go skinny-dipping in Maine.That is, assuming you follow the unspoken rules of skinny-dipping, apply some common sense and safety, and for Pete’s sake, don’t get caught!
Azischohos Lake, Lincoln Plantation, Oxford county
Branch Lake, Ellsworth, Hancock county
China Lake, Vassalboro, Kennebec county
Crystal (Beal) Pond, Turner, Androscoggin county
Gardner Lake, East Machias, Washington county
Hobbs Pond, Hope, Knox county
Huston Brook Falls, Carrabassett Valley, Franklin county
Little Moxie Pond, Somerset county
Long Island, Casco Bay, Cumberland county
Moosehead Lake, Piscataquis county
Pemaquid Pond, Nobleboro, Lincoln county
Pleasant Cove, Woolwich, Sagadahoc county
Portage Lake, Portage, Aroostook county
Sandy Point, Stockton Spring, Waldo county
Sokokis Lake, Limerick, York county
Stillwater off College Avenue Extension, Orono, Penobscot county
Do you have a favorite swimming hole? Tell us in the comments!
Before you decide to go skinny-dipping, I highly encourage you to read the actual law, statute 17 A section 854, which defines and explains the kind of hot water you’d be in should you get caught.