Wild River Collective

Back in 2022, during a weekend getaway of connecting and Nordic skiing with my husband we had our first guided sauna experience in Duluth, Minnesota—and it’s safe to say it left a lasting impression and eventually leading to building a backyard sauna of our own.

Nestled along the edge of Lake Superior, a mobile location for Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna offered a unique sauna experience. It was a beautiful blend of tradition, relaxation, and connection with nature. Their large private sauna with a cozy entry room and changing area felt like a serene retreat. Inside, we were welcomed with refreshing water and sauna tea, thoughtfully prepared to hydrate and elevate the experience. The floor-to-ceiling windows invited the winter landscape in, making you feel immersed in nature—with the frozen expanse of Lake Superior just steps away.

We moved through several rounds of hot and cold: deep, calming heat in the sauna, followed by time in the cool-down room (a small structure built out of blocks of ice), and fresh air by the outdoor firepit—surrounded by snow and glowing embers. Each round felt like a reset. Our sauna guide kept the wood burning stove stoked and burning hot. She also added essential oils to our bucket of water for an elevated steam throughout our sauna. The contrasts between heat and cold were invigorating, and I left feeling lighter, clearer, and more grounded than I had in a long time.

That night, we stayed just steps away at an adjacent hotel, a seamless way to end a day of relaxation and connection.

The experience sparked my deep appreciation for the powerful benefits of sauna culture—from improving circulation and easing stress, to building resilience through hot and cold exposure. It’s something I now seek out often, and always recommend.

If you’re ever near Duluth, treat yourself to one of the many offerings from Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna. They now offer several options from a community sauna experience to a floating sauna on Lake Superior. The experience of a traditional sauna is more than just heat—it’s healing.

sauna [noun] 
(Finnish) A dry heat bath where water is thrown over hot stones to create a cleansing and refreshing feel-good experience, promoting well-being and relaxation.