This Popular European Wellness Activity Has Come To The US & Travelers Are Ecstatic

Have you ever used a sauna and thought it was quite relaxing ... and then, after a while, admittedly grew a little bored? If that's you, the idea of a floating sauna might be a more exciting option. This wellness activity popular in Europe has finally made its way to the United States. Imagine yourself relaxing under that steamy feeling, letting go of stress, while you float gently on a lake. Indeed, this brings a unique experience entirely: You're surrounded by open water amid fresh air gracing your skin, and calming views bestowed upon your eyes. It just gives that special sense of peace that a normal spa experience wouldn't.

In various tourist destinations in Norway and Finland, floating saunas aren't a new trend. In fact, they've long been a part of the Nordic people's everyday life. Traditionally, people would heat up in an enclosed sauna, after which they cool off in a water source available somewhere nearby. But with the floating sauna directly on a river, lake, or sea, it becomes much easier to move straight into the water, providing a more naturally immersive way to enjoy the moment, with waterfront views elevating the overall feeling.

The trend is now making waves in the U.S., and people are excited, as entrepreneurs and wellness enthusiasts are bringing their Nordic-inspired retreats to American waters. Reacting to a video shared via r/sauna, Redditor u/adowjn noted, "I didn't know I need a floating sauna until I saw this." Several other travelers didn't shy away from showing their excitement, too. "This looks awesome!" u/Seppoteurastaja said. Another Redditor, u/nettletart, commented that the floating sauna in the clip is simply "Brilliant!" Floating saunas provide a refreshing way to spend quality time. So, when next you visit some of America's most iconic destinations, you might just look out for one.

Floating saunas are a whole package combining heat therapy and an immersive experience of nature, which is another ball game entirely, compared to normal spa visits. And who wouldn't find that appealing? You get all the therapeutic benefits including stress relief, improved blood flow, lower risk of heart disease, and more (per Medical News Today). The adventurous side of it is another layer, as you soak in the rhythm of the water, the gorgeous views, and the sound of birds chirping overhead.

These days, many travelers don't want mere Instagrammable moments that only come with pretty pictures; they want experiences that feel real and memorable, experiences that add something worthwhile. And the scenic promise of the floating sauna delivers just that. One Redditor who booked a floating sauna on Lake Superior excitedly shared, "Experienced it this weekend, 10 out of 10 experience; 90 minutes all to myself." No doubt, these kinds of saunas are set to continue popping up around America. In Grand Marais, Minnesota, you'll find what claims to be the country's first public floating sauna, Sisu + Löyly, which opened on Devil Track Lake in 2023. In that same year came Cedar & Stone's floating sauna on Lake Superior in Duluth. In Sausalito, California, sits Fjord, with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay.

Depending on your location, other floating sauna spots include Kiln Floating Sauna on Lake Michigan at Navy Pier Marina, Chicago, and KOS Sauna on Saratoga Lake in Saratoga Springs, New York. Additionally, right on the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon, a new floating sauna called Ebb and Ember launched in January 2026, showing how this tradition continues to spread. That said, if you're planning a visit outside of the U.S., you might want to consider visiting the world's "sauna capital" to get an authentic taste of Finnish sauna culture.