Embrace Sauna Culture on the North Shore
Winter on Minnesota’s North Shore offers a unique charm. As the bright autumn colors fade and winter begins, the crisp air and tranquil atmosphere set the perfect stage for a peaceful getaway. Imagine yourself relaxing in a cozy sauna, steam rising around you as the sounds of Lake Superior enhance the experience. Or, imagine stepping out of your sauna experience surrounded by the beautiful boreal forest, surrounded by snow-capped trees. That is Sauna Culture on the North Shore.
After a relaxing sauna session, sink into a jetted soaker tub at your private vacation rental, or even take a leap into a winter snow drift. It’s the ultimate way to unwind and recharge after a day of exploring the North Shore’s natural beauty.
Sauna is not just a solitary activity, however. The concept of social saunas have also reached the Northwoods. Several sauna companies have sprung up offering community sauna experiences.
Whether you’re seeking a tranquil escape or looking to experience the magic of Sauna Culture, the North Shore is the perfect place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and indulge in the serene beauty of the season, and enjoy a rejuvenating sauna experience.
Experience Sauna Culture on the North Shore with Public and Private Saunas
The sauna experience has blossomed in recent years. Along the North Shore, we have welcomed two sauna companies to help enhance Sauna Season on the North Shore. In Duluth, Lutsen, and Grand Marais you can now have a private, shared, or community sauna experience with these companies.
If you enjoy a more private sauna experience, many Cascade Vacation Rentals homes offer private saunas that you can enjoy during your stay with utmost peace and privacy.
Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna – Grand Marais
Located on the shores of Lake Superior, near downtown Grand Marais, you will find Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna (pictured above). The Flagship Grand Marais saunas opened in 2021 and provide a unique experience complete with breathtaking views of Lake Superior’s East Bay. The property that is home to Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna offers a unique sauna experience not available anywhere else in Minnesota. The welcome center has been beautifully renovated with a lovely seating area around a warm and inviting fireplace. The welcome center has enough open space for the sauna to host yoga classes or other gatherings. Wall-to-wall windows make the space bright and inviting, even on dreary winter days.
From the welcome center, step outside and walk a short distance to begin your sauna experience. Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna has two side-by-side saunas equipped with multi-tiered benches and picture windows facing Lake Superior’s East Bay. Each sauna can fit about 6 adults. There is also a traveling sauna that finds its home on Grand Marais’ East Bay in the summer months. The view is very much a part of the experience. Lake Superior, with her ever-changing moods, will provide a different experience almost every time. From waves to ice to calm, clear waters and everything in between. She offers it all, sometimes within the same appointment time!
During your sauna experience, you can also sit around the outdoor campfire or take a quick dip frigid Lake Superior, if you dare. Afterward, take a stroll around downtown Grand Marais to enjoy all there is to do in one of America’s most beautiful, but vibrant, small towns.
Sisu + Lloyly Nordic Saunas offers shared, private, and community sauna sessions. While many may think a private experience is preferred, gathering with a community of like-minded folks can often enhance the sauna experience. So consider saving a few bucks and book a community sauna.
Click here to read our article on Sisu + Loyly Nordic Sauna, including information on their floating sauna only available in the summer and early fall months.
Sisu + Loyly Mobile Sauna – Lutsen at the North Shore Winery
A unique experience you can only have in the winter season is the Sisu + Loyly traveling sauna at the North Shore Winery. Imagine, you are enjoying a relaxing sauna, and then stepping out and finding yourself at the area’s premier winery, North Shore Winery. You can end your night with a glass of wine and accompaniments, further enhancing the deep relaxation of your sauna experience.
Sisu + Loyly’s mobile sauna only makes an appearance at the winery during the winter months. The rest of the year, you can find the traveling sauna in Grand Marais. Making this a unique Sauna Season on the North Shore experience you cannot get any other time of the year.
Meet Sisu + Loyle on North Shore Neighbors:
Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna – Pier B – Duluth
Located at Pier B in Duluth, Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna offers unique private and communal guided sauna experiences. opened in 2019 is the dream project of Justin Juntunen, a Duluth local of Finnish descent. Justin has been raised in the culture of sauna his entire life. He wanted to bring this idea of sauna being a social experience, as it is in the Nordic traditions, to his community here in America. So, Justin set out to create a sauna experience unlike any that most living in the US today have experienced.
The result is an open and inviting guided sauna experience in a beautifully built sauna set in one of the most beautiful places in America- the Duluth Habor. During Sauna Season on the North Shore, you can enjoy private and social guides saunas with a cold plunge experience. Cedar + Stone offers an all-inclusive experience where your sauna time comes with gentle and informed guidance, herbal teas, aromatherapy, and more.
Click here to read our experience visiting Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna way back in December 2019 on its opening weekend. Note that much has changed with their business model and location!
Cedar + Stone Floating Sauna – Duluth Harbor
Even in the cold of winter, the Cedar + Stone Floating Sauna remains available for a truly unique sauna experience. Picture yourself floating in the Duluth Harbor while enjoying a lovely guided and all-inclusive sauna experience. With the waves of Lake Superior gently rocking the floating wood-fired sauna.
Similar to the regular sauna experience, the floating sauna experience includes a cold plunge, herbal teas, aromatherapy, and so much more. All while gazing out at the breathtakingly beautiful Duluth Harbor. This experience is located just steps away from Captain’s Canal Park. This is truly a one-of-a-kind winter experience in Minnesota, as there are no other public floating saunas currently in operation during the winter months.
A Private Sauna Experience at a North Shore Vacation Home
If a public sauna is not the experience you desire, you are in luck. Cascade Vacation Rentals offers a variety of homes with private saunas. Pick your experience whether you want a cabin in the woods or a lakeside retreat. We offer both!
Cedar Allee, Lutsen. Tucked into the back of the home is a 2-tiered sauna. After your sauna, head to the living room where you can relax in front of the gas woodstove with panoramic views of Lake Superior.
Cross River Cabin. Unobstructed views of Lake Superior greet you from the wall to wall lake-facing windows in this beautiful newly constructed home. Tucked in the lower level is a rejuvenating infrared sauna.
Enchanted Shores, Hovland. This gorgeous and large wood cabin sits on the shores of Lake Superior on Big Bay at the end of a private road. The sauna is located off the game room, so after completing your sauna enjoy a game of pool. Or, relax in the living room in front of the wood-burning fireplace. You can also enjoy the jetted soaker tub to help further relax away your stress.
Gem House, Hovland. If the amethyst stones surrounding the wood-burning fireplace weren’t enough to relax you, this home offers a 2-tier sauna on the lower level. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, you are also short walking distance to one of the most unique waterfalls on the North Shore- the Devil’s Kettle at Judge C.R. Magney State Park.
Lofted in Lutsen, Lutsen. The new barrel-style sauna (pictured above) was added to the property in 2024 and is the most spacious private sauna available. This home offers a unique experience deep in the Northwoods, surrounded by nature. The wood stove in the living room enhances the overall Sauna Season on the North Shore experience.
Maple Haven. Located on the Caribou Lake peninsula, this home has private lake access and a private infrared sauna on the lower level. Enjoy a sauna anytime of the year at this lakeside home.
Nordkapp, Tofte. This Nordic Lake Superior cabin offers the most private and cozy sauna of them all. With room for only one or two guests at a time, you can enjoy a truly peaceful sauna experience. Afterward, enjoy the wood stove in the living room or the deck with views of Lake Superior.
Ravencliff, Schroeder. This Lake Superior cabin doesn’t just have a private sauna, it has a private sauna building! With a changing area in the front and the 2-tiered sauna in the back, it has room for all guests at the home. Ravencliff also has not one, but two wood stoves inside the cabin.
Terrace Point 11B & Terrace Point 13B, Grand Marais. A popular guest favorite, these Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired condos may look small, but each offers a surprisingly large private sauna. Relax in front of the gas fireplace and step out onto the ground-level patio to enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Superior.
Other Sauna Experiences at Cascade Vacation Rentals Properties
While not private to the properties themselves, these resort saunas also offer a wonderful Sauna Season on the North Shore experience. Often underutilized, you may feel like you are getting a private sauna experience because you are the only ones there. Or, have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and share stories during your sauna time.
Chaika and Temperance Getaway. These spacious, luxury homes share a community sauna building (pictured) that you can enjoy during your stay. The sauna building contains a bathroom and shower to complete your sauna experience. This sauna is open year round.
Windsong Cottages, Beaver Bay. The Windsong Cottages have a community sauna space in their pool house. While the pool is closed in the winter months, the sauna remains open for your wintertime sauna experience. Just a shore walk away from the 2 luxury townhomes at Winding, you can also enjoy the gas fireplace and Lake Superior views from both available townhomes.
Experience Sauna Culture on the North Shore
Experience the peaceful relaxation that a sauna experience can bring into your life. With health benefits galore, there’s no reason not. And it all starts with actually getting up to the North Shore! We can help you plan the perfect Sauna Getaway by providing a wide variety of accommodations to suite your needs. Some homes with private saunas, others within walking distance to a sauna experience. Book your stay today!