Best experience I had was 'Venus' pool on Sark - Channel Islands, back in the late 1970's A deep very cold sea water filled rock pool with sheer sides Only real way in was to jump straight in, splash around then scramble out In those days I wore a string sided HOM bikini, pouch front but full back by modern standards I also wore the same suit to the Beau Sejour leisure centre pool on Guernsey where I suspect I raised a few eyebrows. My first 'wear less' suit from which I have progressed to today's g string, via minimal suits from Intersparta, sadly no longer trading.

Most hikers in the USA do not bring swimsuits. Most areas are devoid of people unless they are hugely popular areas like Yosemite, etc.... Beware of people hanging out in thermal springs drinking a lot and never exiting to urinate. They are probably going in the water!! Lazy people....

This is one thing we do all the time. Others do it too, and the tollerance level seems to be highest on the spots the furthest from civilization or most deserted for other reasons. In Ohio, and many other areas there are "swimming holes" all over the place. Some are not very well known and on private land, but the owners don't mind a few people now and then taking a hike through their woods. These swimming holes are often used in the buff or with minimal swimwear. We also have gone to very popular swimming holes like the one at Abram's Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park, even though it is several miles each way. You will pass dozens of people on the trail, and many have a towel with them. The falls themselves created a deep hole in the river bottom, suitable for swimming. Unfortunately, the park service no longer clears stuff that comes over the falls that is natural (they will take an old tire away, but not a tree branch as an example). So year to year access for swimming can be very opened to non-existant. When we go there, we wear our thongs from the parking area to the swimming hole. We often don't even take towels. But the temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit, and there often are showers, so do be sure to check the weather from several sources before heading out without much on. We have also found some places where there are creeks of rivers with areas where swimming can be done. National Park Service rules, as of a few years ago said basically that if you were within 300 feet of any road or established trail and not blocked from view from that road or trail, you had to keep your private areas covered. Anything past 300 feet or hidden from the trail (by rocks, heavy vegitation, etc. can be used in the nude. This included just hiking in the buff. laying out in the sun, or other activities. Use of rivers and lakes can be as simple as putting your feet in them to cool off a bit, or as complicated as taking a swim or bathing. While there are environmentally friendly soap products around, you may not need to use soap on a short trip. However you can also pick up a bar of Ivory soap (not liquid but a bar) which is also environmentally friendly.

I hiked the Rae Lakes Loop CCW in Kings Canyon NP. Day 1 was a long, hot, tough day of climbing (16.5 mi, 6,000+ ft climbing). I stopped at Junction Meadow for lunch a quick dip to cool off, stripping down to my Jockey Sport thong. After air-drying in just my thong for 40 mins or so, I got dressed and pushed on without seeing anyone. I finished Day 1 at Charlotte Lake, which has about 15 sites for a small tent spread 0.5 mi around the lake. After setting up camp, I jumped into the lake for a swim in my yellow Jack Adams Bondi thong, then sat by the lake reading, making dinner, & watching the sunset for 3 hrs in just my thong. Maybe 6-8 hikers walked past, with 3 small groups setting up camp nearby. I was caught unexpectedly in full view by a hiker as I was crouched down to filter water from the lake's edge. When the sun went down, I got ready for bed, pulling on my Doreanse Aire G-string to sleep in. The next day saw me climb over Glen Pass & arrive at Rae Lakes, where I stopped for lunch & another swim in my Bondi thong. This section of the Rae Lakes Loop is on the PCT & JMT, so 4-5 groups walked past while I was resting in just my thong. I then headed off the main trail, up into 60 Lakes Basin, where I didn't see anyone. After walking most of the 60 Lakes Basin, I set up camp towards the end, this time dropping my pack & stripping down to my Bondi thong immediately. I then spent the rest of the day in just my thong: setting up camp, swimming in one of the lakes, exploring the area around my camp, reading, cooking dinner, & watching the sunset. Again, as night was falling, I swapped into my g-string, which I find more comfortable for sleeping. Day 3 saw me climb out of the basin, back down to the main trail. This was another long day (21.5 mi), but all downhill. I stopped at Middle Paradise Valley for a late lunch & a quick rinse in the river to cool off, again in my Bondi thong, before closing out the loop. TL/DR: Hiked the Rae Lakes Loop, swimming on the trail each day, before stopping to camp & spending the afternoon beside a lake, swimming, reading, & cooking, all in just a thong.