Special Founders pricing on sauna passes and packages through December 9th, 2025, when you join our newsletter
Your sanctuary in the heart of the Ozarks
South Woods offers simple, nature-based ways to slow down and restore. Come sweat, stay, and breathe deep in our guesthouse and wood-fired sauna in Northwest Arkansas.
About
Settle in at South Woods
South Woods creates quiet spaces for rest and renewal on Ozark ground. Come enjoy a slow steam beneath the trees in our outdoor sauna, or spend a few unhurried days in our artful, light-filled guesthouse just down the road from Lake Sequoyah.
“All people are created equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna” — Finnish Proverb
Sauna
Bringing the tradition of Nordic sauna to the Ozarks
Transform
Tap into your own vitality through the ancient rhythm of hot, cold, rest, rehydrate, repeat, grounded in raw elements and natural materials.
Belong
Take a reprieve from substances and screens. Find company or solitude here, among neighbors.
Be Tended
All you need to do is show up. We’ll guide you through a sensory experience that invites you to slow down, sink in, and savor the moment.
Benefits of Sauna
Like nature, sauna is healing
Cardiovascular Health
Supports heart health by improving circulation and blood pressure.
Immune Function
Boosts immunity by stimulating white blood cell production.
Mental Health + Stress Reduction
Eases stress and promotes relaxation through the soothing effects of hot and cold contrast.
Longevity + Wellness
Contributes to a longer, healthier life with regular use.
Pain + Inflammation Management
Reduces muscle tension, joint pain, and inflammation naturally.
Athletic Performance + Recovery
Enhances endurance and accelerates muscle recovery.
Skin Health
Cleanses pores, stimulates collagen production, and promotes a healthy glow.
Better Sleep
Encourages deeper, more restorative sleep.
Sisu (Resilience)
Builds mental and physical resilience through intentional hot and cold exposure.
Improved Digestion
Supports gut health by increasing circulation to digestive organs and promotes detoxification.
Social Wellbeing
Fosters belonging through a practice traditionally shared among friends and family.
Connection to Nature
Restores balance and promotes wellbeing through fire, water, stone, and steam in a natural setting.
“If liquor, tar, and sauna do not help, the illness is fatal.”
— Sauna Proverb
Booking types
Start planning your steam now
Community Sauna Experience
90 minutes – Free Flow – Starting at $45
Our wood-fired sauna, cold showers, and rest areas offer a lively communal space to sweat, cool down, and relax. Sessions are calm and respectful, with space for both quiet and connection. Choose a guided practice or move at your own pace during our free-flow sessions. Perfect for those who enjoy shared wellness rituals and connecting with others in a spa-like environment.
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Private Buy-Outs
3 hours – Custom sessions for up to 12 guests – Starting at $1,800
Host your group at South Woods for a private session in our outdoor sauna and rest areas. You’ll enjoy a curated contrast therapy experience in a quiet, nature-centered setting, with your very own saunakeeper and options to add custom touches tailored to your group. Ideal for team retreats, special gatherings, or a peaceful break from the everyday.
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Program types
Free Flow Sessions
Leave the devices and drinks behind and meet up for a new kind of happy hour. Bring friends, meet new people, and move at your own pace. Our wood-fired sauna, cold showers, and rest areas offer a lively communal space to sweat, cool down, and be merry. Sessions are calm and respectful, with space for both quiet and connection. Perfect for those who enjoy shared wellness rituals and connecting with others in a spa-like environment.
Guided Sessions
Think yoga class but with Löyly (steam). Your saunakeeper will tend and guide you to help you realize the deeper benefits of thermic bathing. Our wood-fired sauna, cold showers, and rest areas become curated tools in a communal space to sweat, cool down, and go deeper. Sessions are active and respectful, with space for following the guide or going at your own pace. Perfect for those who enjoy social wellness rituals and learning from wellness practitioners in a spa-like environment.
Each session includes a dedicated guide, along with towel and tea services that elevate the experience, making guests feel tended to and valued, as if they truly belong.
Stay with us
South Woods Stays
Book a stay at our relaxing property for the full South Woods experience
A Restorative Retreat in the Ozarks
Book our cozy guesthouse near Lake Sequoyah. A simple, artsy space that sleeps up to eight. Walk the rock-lined trails, stretch out, or sweat it out in your own private sauna with outdoor shower. Pets are welcome!
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“Two places are holy: church and sauna.” — Sauna Proverb
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of session should I book? How much are they?
- First-timer Pass – $45
New to sauna? This one’s for you. Get full access to the South Woods Sauna amenities at a discounted rate. Includes one free buddy pass. Purchase here. Select two passes at checkout to get your buddy ticket!
- Single Pass – $55
A flexible drop-in option for one individual to join a community sauna session.
- 4-Pass – $190
Realize the benefits of a consistent sauna practice. Buy a 4-pass, get a 5th pass free. Purchase here.
- Group Pass / Private Buy-out – starting at $1,800
Reserve the sauna for your own 3-hour private gathering. Email to book!
- Gift Cards
Share the gift of South Woods. Gift cards can be used for any session or package, perfect for birthdays, holidays, or simply tending to someone you love. Purchase a gift card here.
- Special Event Ticket – starting at $75
Seasonal gatherings, themed nights, dinners, and workshops that offer unique South Woods experiences, often at special pricing.
Sessions last 90 minutes unless otherwise indicated.
Enjoy 20% off single and 4-passes through December 9th, 2025 when you join our newsletter.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
A bathing suit or light gym clothing is best. Wear sandals that can get wet and slip easily on and off. We provide luxury towels for sitting and drying off, plus cozy socks in the colder months. Water, locally-sourced herbal tea, and electrolyte drinks are available, but you’re welcome to bring your own non-metal water bottle to stay hydrated (metal can get too hot in the sauna).
Who are the guides? What do they do?
Saunakeepers use their sauna expertise to create a safe, welcoming, and restorative experience for everyone. They care for the space, share guidance when needed, and make sure the atmosphere stays calm, clean, and supportive.
Here’s how:
- Fire Tending & Temperature Management: Saunakeepers manage the wood-fired sauna to maintain optimal temperature for comfort and safety.
- Guided Sessions: They offer support with etiquette, breathwork, and contrast therapy basics.
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils are used to deepen the sensory experience.
- Safety & Guest Support: Saunakeepers keep a caring eye out and offer help when needed.
- Personalized Assistance: They guide guests in shaping a session that feels just right.
Saunakeepers blend Southern hospitality with wellness expertise to ensure you feel supported, informed, and immersed in the full benefits of contrast therapy.
Do I have to participate in cold contrast?
No, cold exposure is optional. If you’re nervous about trying a cold plunge, you may like our cold waterfall shower or bucket dousing instead. They are a gentler cold experience.
Do you offer memberships or packages?
Yes! We offer a 4-pass option. See the FAQ “What type of session should I book?” for more details.
How often should I practice sauna to get the health benefits?
Studies show the benefits of sauna increase with frequency and duration of use. Consider working up to a weekly practice if you can.
Where are you located?
All sauna experiences currently take place at South Woods Guesthouse, tucked into the woods at 17097 Lake Sequoyah Drive in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Are kids welcome in the sauna session?
Yes! While most of our sessions are designed for adults, kids are welcome to join with a parent or guardian on designated Family Sauna Days. Check our schedule to see when those are offered.
For safety and comfort, the sauna is best suited for children ages 14 and older.
Contact
Get in touch with South Woods
Questions? Thoughts? We’d love to hear from you.
Reclaim your wellbeing
South Woods invites you to slow down and restore with nature-based experiences, featuring a cozy guesthouse and a wood-fired sauna nestled in the heart of Northwest Arkansas.
