ONTONAGON, Mich. (WWJ) - If you're looking for a good spot to "bare it all" as you swim, you don't necessarily have to travel out of the state to do it, according to a recent ranking that named Michigan as one of the top spots in the world to go skinny dipping.
Mind you, it's still illegal to frolic in the nude in Michigan, but that didn't stop dating advice website My Dating Advisor from naming the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula as one of the top naked plunge sites.
The location, also called "The Porkies," earned the #3 spot in America while it took the #31 spot worldwide.
According to Michigan.org, the state park spans across 60,000 acres of forest featuring roaring waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline, rivers, ridges and nearly 100 miles of trails -- all of which helped attribute to its most recent "honor."
My Dating Advisor complied their rankings based off how safe a location is, what the weather is like in the area, how much nearby lodging costs and if the beach itself is high quality.
We don't think they took into consideration that the average water temperature of Lake Superior only reaches 52° in the summer, according to seateperature.net.
But if the chilly glacier water doesn't deter you, Wilderness State Park Manager Mike Knack told MLive the park is a popular destination and those caught bathing in the buff could be punished by law.
"That being said, there are a fair amount of hikers on the trails each day and someone may see you," he warned. "It’s not a highly recommended activity, but I’m sure some people out in the wilderness do wild things.”
Michigan Penal Code qualifies nude swimming as indecent exposure, which is against the law. If caught in your birthday suit, you could be fined up to $1,000 in addition to time behind bars.
“Michigan’s 103 state parks are places where people of all ages recreate. Park visitors should keep that in mind,” John Pepin of the Michigan DNR told MLive. “In addition, there are state laws and Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use orders that prohibit public nudity.”
If you're interested in the top 10 best places in the United States to swim in the nude, here's where they stand. Just remember to look into if the location is indeed a nude beach before you strip down.
1. Washougal River, Washington
2. Mazo Beach, Wisconsin
3. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan
4. Black's Beach, California
5. Little Beach, Hawaii
6. Hippie Hollow, Texas
7. Strawberry Hot Springs, Colorado
8. Haulover Beach, Florida
9. The Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon
10. Frenchman's Hole, Maine