Lake Wood in Acadia National Park is a small lake—about half a mile long and just a few hundred feet across—that draws mostly locals but some tourists as well. The lake is off the beaten path of the vast majority of Acadia visitors, and the park does not publicize it as an attraction. Textile swimmers gather on the part of the lake near the paved parking lot, but a short walk brings you to an area that has reportedly been used by skinnydippers since the 1940's. Nude sunbathers spread out on the granite ledges (there is no beach), and some dive over the ledges into the water. (Check out the water before you dive!) Lake Wood is said to be the warmest lake on Mount Desert Island, but the water is still quite chilly.

The number of visitors has dropped significantly over the past several years since a steep parking fee is now required, so you're likely to encounter just a few nudists on warm weekdays and maybe a dozen or so on weekends. Just about everyone in the traditional nude area doffs all their clothes.

Until the 90's, the ownership of Lake Wood and the surrounding land was divided. The area that includes the parking lot was a peripheral holding of Acadia National Park, and the nude area was on private property. As the story goes, the private property owner was fine with skinnydipping and willed his land to the park upon his death in the mid-90's with the condition that the traditional nude area remain clothing optional. It is not known whether or not there was a formal agreement that stipulated this condition (unlikely). Now, all of Lake Wood is part of Acadia. The park instituted a policy that was probably intended to decrease visits by nudists (and it worked). Whereas access to Lake Wood used to be free, visitors who park here now must display a park pass, and a weekly pass in the summer is $20. (Day passes are no longer available.) If you are visiting the rest of Acadia National Park (which you should; it's gorgeous), you'll have to pay the fee anyway. If you live close enough to make regular trips, you'll want to buy a yearly pass for about $50.

Acadia authorities at best only grudgingly tolerate nudity. To be on the safe side, we recommend much more discretion than has been necessary in past years. You should absolutely not be naked on the trails and especially not in the parking area. Most visitors seem to suit up when rangers come around and unsuit once they leave, and that is probably the best policy. Rangers patrol frequently for lewd behavior.

GPS: 44.4087, -68.2677

city, county, state, country  Hulls Cove, Hancock, Maine, U.S.A.

classification  3 (discretion recommended)

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