The Secret Saunas of Squamish: Where They Went & Where to Sauna Now

Ask anyone who's lived in Squamish for a while about the secret saunas and you'll get a story. Hand-built, wood-fired, tucked into the trees by the Mamquam River, and found only by word of mouth. They're gone now, but the sauna scene they kicked off is bigger than ever.

The river saunas

The original secret saunas were built by locals along the Mamquam River: a wood stove, cedar benches, and the river right there for a cold plunge. There was no website and no fee. People left firewood for the next group, and strangers shared the bench.

Then the photos started showing up on Instagram, and the secret got out.

Why they came down

The saunas sat in steep, slippery terrain next to fast, cold water. As more people went looking for them, more people got hurt or needed rescue getting in and out, including a fatality. Squamish Search and Rescue raised concerns, the Ministry of Forests issued trespass notices, and the saunas were removed (Squamish Chief coverage).

Please don't go looking for the old sites. There's nothing left to find, and the access is still dangerous.

What happened to the original barrel

The original barrel sauna didn't disappear. Glenn bought it, restored it, and turned it into Mamquam Sauna: the same wood-fired barrel, now on a trailer, delivered to your place anywhere in Squamish, Whistler or Pemberton for a private 24-hour session. It's the closest thing to the river sauna experience you can still have, without the canyon scramble.

Squamish's other hidden-gem saunas

The secret saunas are gone, but Squamish now has more ways to sweat than ever. A few of the spots people are posting about:

Secret Sauna at the Brackendale Art Gallery

A wood-fired sauna on the grounds of the Brackendale Art Gallery, with drop-in sessions and memberships. Grab a coffee at the gallery while you're there.

The floating sauna on Howe Sound

InFlow Adventure Co. runs a sauna that floats on Howe Sound, reached by boat just outside Squamish. Your cold plunge is the ocean.

AIKA Spa

A Nordic-style spa in the forest with saunas, cold plunges and quiet rest areas. Good for a full afternoon of hot-cold circuits.

The Finnish Sauna at Cheekye Ranch

A Finnish-style sauna and cold plunge circuit out in the Squamish Valley at Cheekye Ranch.

Check each spot's own website or Instagram for current hours, prices and booking before you go.

Want it to yourself?

Everything above is shared or scheduled. If you want the old secret-sauna feeling, a wood stove, a cold plunge and nobody else around, the restored barrel comes to you. A private 24-hour session is $325 and fits 8 people comfortably, with delivery, setup and firewood included. Bring a sauna hat.

A few safety basics

• Drink water before, during and after. You sweat more than you think.
• Skip the alcohol until you're done. Heat and drinks don't mix.
• If you're pregnant or have a heart condition, low or high blood pressure, or another medical condition, check with your doctor before using a sauna or cold plunge.
• Get out if you feel dizzy, nauseous or unwell, and never sauna or plunge alone.
• Keep the fire contained and the area around the stove clear.

How booking works

Hit Book Now, pick your dates and any add-ons, and send a request. Nothing is charged to send it, and you can include questions. Your dates are held for 48 hours while Glenn reviews the request. Once it's approved you'll get an email link to pay a $100 deposit, which confirms the booking. The balance is sent as a payment link three days before your session.

Instagram photos are embedded from public posts and belong to their creators.

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