If you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin, the sauna isn't some trendy wellness gadget — it's heritage. Generations of Scandinavian and Finnish immigrants settled across the Upper Midwest, bringing with them a bathing tradition that dates back thousands of years. From the iron ranges of northern Minnesota to the dairy country of central Wisconsin, saunas were among the first structures built on many homesteads — sometimes even before the house itself.
Today, that tradition is alive and thriving. And if you're looking to bring it home with a premium outdoor sauna, you're in the right place. At Haven Of Heat, we ship free to every corner of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and we carry the kinds of saunas that would make your Finnish great-grandmother proud.
Why Outdoor Saunas and the Upper Midwest Are a Perfect Match
There's a reason the sauna culture transplanted so naturally from Scandinavia to the northwoods of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The climates are strikingly similar — long, brutal winters with sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, and short daylight hours. In Finland, the sauna served as a place to bathe, warm up, socialize, and even give birth. In the Upper Midwest, that same multipurpose role took root immediately.
Minnesota has more saunas per capita than any other U.S. state. Towns like Embarrass, Ely, and Finland (yes, there's a town called Finland in Minnesota) have deep sauna traditions that continue to this day. Wisconsin's Scandinavian communities — particularly in areas settled by Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes — embraced the sauna with equal enthusiasm.
An outdoor sauna in Minnesota or Wisconsin isn't just a luxury purchase. It's a lifestyle decision that connects you to centuries of Nordic tradition while delivering real, science-backed health benefits — improved cardiovascular function, reduced inflammation, better sleep, enhanced recovery, and profound stress relief.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Sauna Built for Northern Climates
Not every sauna is built to handle a Minnesota polar vortex or a Wisconsin ice storm. When you're shopping for an outdoor sauna in the Upper Midwest, climate performance is everything. Here's what matters most:
Thick Wall Construction and Insulation
Thin walls lose heat fast when it's -20°F outside. Look for saunas with solid wood walls at least 1.5 inches thick. This is where brands like True North and Dundalk LeisureCraft stand out — both are handcrafted in Canada and specifically designed to perform in the harshest cold-weather conditions. Thermally modified wood options from our Thermowood sauna collection take this even further, offering enhanced dimensional stability and superior moisture resistance that keeps your sauna performing year after year through freeze-thaw cycles.
Weather-Resistant Wood Species
Cedar (both Western Red Cedar and Eastern White Cedar) is the gold standard for outdoor saunas in cold climates. It naturally resists rot, decay, and insect damage while providing excellent insulation properties. Nordic Spruce, particularly when thermally modified, is another outstanding choice — it's what you'll find in many of our SaunaLife saunas, which are engineered in Finland using the same principles that have kept Scandinavian saunas standing for centuries.
Efficient Heating Systems
In a northern climate, your heater needs to do more work. A properly sized wood-burning sauna stove delivers the most authentic Finnish-style experience and operates completely off-grid — a real advantage for lake cabins and rural properties across Minnesota and Wisconsin. For those who prefer the convenience of electric, a quality electric heater from brands like Harvia or HUUM will get your sauna to full temperature even on the coldest January nights.
Smart Design Features
A changing room or porch area is almost essential in a northern climate. Nobody wants to strip down in a blizzard before stepping into the hot room. Saunas with built-in changing rooms, like the Dundalk Georgian Cabin Sauna with Changeroom or the SaunaLife G11 Hobbit House Barrel Sauna, solve this problem beautifully while giving you a spot to stash your phone, towels, and a cold beverage.
Best Outdoor Barrel Saunas for Minnesota and Wisconsin
The barrel sauna is arguably the most iconic outdoor sauna shape, and for good reason. The curved walls create natural convection that circulates heat incredibly efficiently, meaning faster heat-up times and less energy waste — both critical when you're firing up the sauna with the wind chill at -30°F. The round shape also sheds snow and rain effortlessly, reducing the structural load during heavy Upper Midwest winters.
Dundalk LeisureCraft Barrel Saunas
Handcrafted in Ontario, Canada, from Eastern White Cedar, Dundalk's barrel saunas are built specifically for harsh outdoor conditions. The Dundalk Harmony Barrel Sauna is a popular starting point for couples or individuals — it's compact enough for a small backyard in Minneapolis or Madison, but delivers a fully authentic sauna experience. For families or those who like to host, the Dundalk Serenity Barrel Sauna adds a porch and seats up to four comfortably. Dundalk also offers a 6-person Tranquility model for larger gatherings.
Every Dundalk sauna arrives as a ready-to-assemble kit with dovetail corners and pre-cut pieces — no sawing or specialized tools required. Assembly typically takes a weekend, and the results look like they've been there forever.
SaunaLife Ergo Series Barrel Saunas
If you want the most comfortable barrel sauna on the market, look at the SaunaLife Ergo Series. These are constructed from high-quality Nordic Spruce with ergonomically designed Thermo-Aspen benches and backrests that make long sessions genuinely relaxing. The SaunaLife E7 (4-person) and SaunaLife E6 (2-4 person) are excellent mid-size options. For larger families, the SaunaLife E8 seats six and includes the same premium finishes. All Ergo Series barrels come with WiFi-controlled heaters engineered in Finland, under-bench LED lighting, and a shingled roof for weather protection.
The SaunaLife EE8G adds a stunning full glass front wall, which is particularly spectacular on a Wisconsin lakefront property where you can watch the sunset over the water while you sweat.
True North Schooner Barrel Sauna
The True North Schooner is handmade in Ontario and available in Red Cedar, White Cedar, or Pine. It offers a classic barrel design with customizable window and porch options, and it's built to handle anything the Upper Midwest throws at it. True North has over 40 years of woodworking and sauna construction experience, and it shows in every detail.
Finnmark Hybrid Barrel Saunas
For those who want the best of both worlds, the Finnmark FD-7 Hybrid Barrel Sauna combines a traditional steam heater with five Spectrum Plus infrared panels. You can pour water over stones for an authentic löyly experience while also getting deep-penetrating infrared heat for targeted recovery. It's built from 1.5-inch thick Thermally Modified European Aspen with Western Canadian Cedar benches, and features WiFi control and RGB mood lighting. This is a particularly great option for athletes and wellness enthusiasts in the Twin Cities or Milwaukee metro areas who want maximum therapeutic versatility.
Golden Designs Barrel Saunas
The Golden Designs Klosters 6-Person Barrel Sauna is crafted from 100% natural Pacific Cedar and comes with a Harvia electric heater. All pieces are pre-cut and grooved for straightforward DIY assembly. It's a strong value option that doesn't sacrifice quality or cold-weather performance.
Best Outdoor Cabin Saunas for Minnesota and Wisconsin
If you picture a traditional Finnish sauna, you're probably picturing a cabin-style sauna. These rectangular structures offer the most interior space, the best bench layout options, and the most traditional sauna experience. They're also the easiest to customize with changing rooms, porches, and multiple window configurations.
Dundalk Georgian Cabin Saunas
The Dundalk Georgian Cabin Sauna (CTC88W) is one of the most popular outdoor saunas we sell, and for good reason. Handcrafted from Eastern White Cedar with a 2-level L-shaped bench layout that seats up to six, it features a black steel roof, front windows with bronze tempered glass, and dovetail corners for easy kit assembly. For Minnesota and Wisconsin buyers, the version with a 48-inch changeroom (CTC88CW) is the smarter buy — that changing room is a game-changer when it's below zero outside.
For smaller spaces or budgets, the Dundalk Granby Cabin Sauna seats two to three with a 2-tier seating arrangement and delivers the same Canadian craftsmanship in a more compact footprint.
True North Cabin Saunas
The True North 5-Person Cabin Sauna is handmade in Ontario and developed specifically for outdoor use in nature. It can withstand any weather, comes with multiple window options, and lets you choose between a wood-burning stove or electric heater.
SaunaLife Cabin and Cube Saunas
The SaunaLife G4 Outdoor Cabin Sauna seats six and combines elegant Scandinavian design with serious all-weather durability. For a more contemporary look, SaunaLife's Cube Series — available in sizes from the 2-person CL3G up to the 6-person CL7G — features a sleek, modern aesthetic that looks right at home in an updated lakehouse or suburban backyard.
Best Outdoor Pod and Modern Saunas
Pod saunas offer a distinctive silhouette that blends modern design with the efficient heating principles of a barrel sauna. They've become hugely popular across the Upper Midwest as homeowners look for something that stands out.
Dundalk MiniPOD
The Dundalk MiniPOD (CTC77MW) is a 7' x 7' sauna with side-wall benches seating up to four. It's handcrafted from Eastern White Cedar and delivers a unique look that's become increasingly popular around Lake Minnetonka, Door County, and everywhere in between.
Dundalk Luna
The Dundalk Luna (CTC22LU) features a stunning modern design with its EPDM membrane roof, bronze tempered glass window, and white cedar bevel siding. It's compact enough for a city lot in St. Paul or Milwaukee but delivers a premium sauna experience.
SaunaLife Pod Saunas
The SaunaLife G3 Outdoor Pod Sauna features a unique parabolic arched roof that creates a visually striking addition to any outdoor space. It seats four and includes the same Finnish-engineered heating systems found across the SaunaLife lineup.
Auroom Saunas
Auroom saunas are crafted in Estonia, where sauna traditions run deep. They use Thermory's premium thermally modified timber for exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal. The Auroom Mira features a full glass front wall that's perfect for properties with scenic views — imagine watching a snowfall over a frozen Wisconsin lake from inside your 175°F sauna. The Auroom Garda is another excellent outdoor option that combines minimalist Scandinavian design with serious all-weather construction.
Best Outdoor Glass Saunas
For homeowners with waterfront property on one of Minnesota's 10,000+ lakes or Wisconsin's countless rivers and lakeshores, an outdoor glass sauna transforms the bathing experience into something truly transcendent. Floor-to-ceiling tempered glass panels let you take in panoramic views while you sweat. These saunas use high-quality insulated glass that maintains heat even in extreme cold, and they create a connection with the natural landscape that perfectly embodies the Nordic philosophy of harmony between humans and nature.
Wood-Burning vs. Electric: Choosing Your Heat Source
This is where personal preference — and your property setup — matter most.
Wood-Burning Stoves: The Authentic Choice
Nothing replicates the crackle of birch logs, the scent of wood smoke, and the meditative ritual of building and tending a fire. A wood-burning sauna stove is the traditional Nordic choice and the only option that works completely off-grid. This makes them ideal for lake cabins in the Boundary Waters, northern Wisconsin cottages, and rural properties across the Upper Midwest.
Modern wood stoves from brands like Harvia, HUUM, and Cozy Heat are far more efficient than what your grandparents used. They heat faster, burn cleaner, and require less wood while delivering the same intense, authentic heat. We carry stoves sized for everything from small 2-person saunas up to large 8+ person rooms.
Electric Heaters: The Modern Choice
Electric heaters offer push-button convenience, precise temperature control, and WiFi connectivity. Many of the saunas we carry — particularly from SaunaLife and Dundalk — come with premium electric heaters from Harvia that include delayed start timers, allowing you to fire up your sauna from your phone on the drive home from work so it's at temperature the moment you walk through the door.
Hybrid Saunas: The Best of Both Worlds
If you can't decide, a hybrid sauna combines a traditional electric heater with infrared panels. The Finnmark FD-7 and models from Golden Designs like the Karlstad 6-Person Hybrid give you the option to use traditional steam, infrared heat, or both simultaneously.
The Nordic Sauna Ritual: How Minnesotans and Wisconsinites Do It
If you're new to sauna culture, here's how it's traditionally done in the Upper Midwest — a practice that traces directly back to Finnish and Scandinavian roots:
Heat the sauna. Whether you're stoking a wood fire or pressing a button, get the sauna to between 150°F and 195°F. Traditional Finnish saunas tend to run hotter than what most Americans are used to.
Throw löyly. This is the Finnish word for the burst of steam created when you ladle water over the hot sauna stones. It dramatically increases the perceived heat and humidity, opening your pores and intensifying the experience. A proper traditional outdoor sauna with a quality heater and stones makes this ritual possible.
Take rounds. Stay in the hot room for 10 to 20 minutes, then step outside to cool down. In the Nordic and Upper Midwest tradition, this means rolling in the snow, jumping in a frozen lake, or — for the more civilized among us — using a cold plunge tub. The contrast between extreme heat and cold is where the real magic happens — it triggers a massive endorphin release, reduces inflammation, and leaves you feeling profoundly rejuvenated. Repeat for two to four rounds.
Rest and hydrate. After your final round, wrap up in a towel or robe, drink plenty of water, and let your body gradually return to its normal temperature. Many Minnesotans and Wisconsinites enjoy a cold beer at this stage — no judgment.
Practical Considerations for Minnesota and Wisconsin Buyers
Foundation and Placement
Your outdoor sauna needs a level, stable foundation. A concrete pad, paver patio, or compacted gravel base all work well. In frost-prone areas (which is everywhere in Minnesota and Wisconsin), make sure your foundation extends below the frost line or is designed to accommodate ground movement. Many of our customers place their saunas near a lake, pond, or pool for easy access to cold water between rounds.
Electrical Requirements
Most electric sauna heaters run on 240V and require a dedicated circuit with appropriately sized wiring. For example, the heater included with the SaunaLife E7 draws 25 amps at 240V and needs 10-gauge wiring on a dedicated 30-amp circuit. The larger EE8G draws 33 amps and needs 8-gauge wiring on a 50-amp circuit. You'll need a licensed electrician for the hookup — we can help point you toward local resources.
Permits and Setbacks
Building codes and permit requirements vary by county and municipality across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most jurisdictions treat an outdoor sauna like a detached accessory structure, which typically means setback requirements from property lines and potentially a building permit. Check with your local building department before you pour that foundation.
Winter Maintenance
One of the beauties of a well-built outdoor sauna is that it requires very little maintenance, even through harsh winters. Brush snow off the roof after heavy storms (barrel saunas handle this naturally due to their shape), keep the area around the door clear, and let the sauna air out after each use. Cedar and thermally modified woods are naturally resistant to the moisture, mold, and decay that Minnesota and Wisconsin winters can cause.
Free Shipping, and HSA/FSA Eligible
Every outdoor sauna at Haven Of Heat ships free to Minnesota and Wisconsin (and everywhere else in the U.S.). And through our partnership with TrueMed, your sauna purchase may qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement — which means you could save 30 to 40% by using pre-tax health dollars. The qualification process takes about three minutes and happens right at checkout.
We also offer flexible financing options through Shop Pay for 6 to 24 months, and extended financing from 4 weeks up to 7 years for purchases up to $100,000. Whether you're buying a compact 2-person barrel for a Duluth cabin or outfitting a full-size cabin sauna for your Wausau family home, we make it affordable.
Why Buy From Haven Of Heat
We're not a generic outdoor furniture retailer that happens to sell saunas. Saunas, cold plunges, and wellness equipment are all we do. Our Oregon-based customer support team is available around the clock to help you choose the right sauna for your specific situation — your climate, your space, your budget, and your goals. We carry authorized products from the best sauna brands in the world, including True North, Dundalk LeisureCraft, SaunaLife, Auroom, Haljas Houses, Golden Designs, and Finnmark Designs. Every order comes with the manufacturer's full factory warranty and our price-match guarantee.
Ready to carry on the Nordic tradition? Browse our complete outdoor sauna collection and find the perfect sauna for your Minnesota or Wisconsin home.
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