Can you sunbathe naked or go skinny-dipping at your own home? Here’s what Idaho law says
The sun is shining, there isn’t a cloud on the sky and it’s the perfect time to catch some rays for a summer tan.
But with every tan comes tan lines.
While many people don’t mind, others want an evenly colored top-to-bottom tan.
One solution is nude sunbathing. But are Idaho residents allowed to strip down to their birthday suits and enjoy the nice weather at home in their own yard?
Once they get abundantly hot, are they allowed to hop naked into that backyard pool?
Here’s what Idaho law says about the legality of nude sunbathing and skinny-dipping in private.
Nude sunbathing in Idaho
Idaho has a law against indecent exposure, which is classified as a misdemeanor on the first offense, and can come with jail time of up to six months and a fine of up to $1,000. A second offense within five years, either within Idaho or any other state, is a felony and can result in up to 10 years in prison.
Idaho’s law prohibits a person from willfully exposing their genitals in any public place or anywhere where there are other people present who would be offended by the exposure.
Nudity itself isn’t outlined as illegal in Idaho, but the trouble comes when someone is exposing themselves in a setting where one can be seen by others.
When sunbathing, residents have to gauge how reasonable it would be for a neighbor to catch a glimpse.
For instance, someone sunbathing outside their one-story home would be seen by others if they live next to a high-rise apartment, even if there is no privacy fence. But if that person lives in a neighborhood with other one-story houses and backyards guarded by fences, the reasonable chance of exposure is much lower.
Skinny-dipping
Whether in your backyard or floating in a lake, if someone sees more of you than they’d bargained for and calls the police, you can be hit with a public indecency charge.
Many people skinny-dipping aren’t doing so to cause alarm knowingly, but it likely still would result in an indecent exposure misdemeanor.
But, just as with nude sunbathing, if your backyard offers privacy through high fences or trees so neighbors can’t readily see you, nothing is really stopping you from jumping in the pool naked.
Places in Idaho you can enjoy while nude
If you lack a backyard with ample privacy but still want to enjoy the outdoors in the flesh, Idaho does have several offerings. Here are some private options:
Goldbug Hot Springs, Salmon — A nudist-friendly hot spring a 24-mile drive south of Salmon, followed by an approximate 1.5-mile hike.
Bare Mountain Retreat, Boise — A recreation area about 30 minutes from Boise with pools and hiking opportunities.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs — A clothing-option hot spring in northeastern Idaho off U.S. Route 12.
Loftus Hot Springs, Mountain Home — Clothing-optional geothermal hot springs along the Middle Fork of the Boise River
