Coming November 2025
Your sanctuary in the heart of the Ozarks
South Woods offers simple, nature-based ways to slow down and restore. Come sweat, soak, stay, and breathe deep in our guesthouse and wood-fired sauna in Northwest Arkansas.
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.
South Woods Sauna
South Woods brings the tradition of Nordic sauna to the Ozarks, where heat, cold, and quiet help you feel connected and more at ease.
Each session includes dedicated guides and full access to the sauna, cold exposure stations, and rest areas. Towel and tea services elevate the experience, making guests feel tended to and valued, as if they truly belong.
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 reducing 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 heat.
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 endurance through intentional heat exposure.
Improved Digestion
Supports gut health by increasing circulation to digestive organs.
Social Wellbeing
Waiting on official wording from Megan here
Connection to Nature
Waiting on official wording from Megan here
Booking types
Start planning your steam now
South Woods Sauna offers experiences to fit your pace.
Community Sauna Experience
75 minutes – Free Flow or Guided – starting at $60
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 ritual or move at your own pace. Perfect for those who enjoy shared wellness rituals and connecting with others in a spa-like environment.
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Buy-Outs
3 hours – Custom sessions for up to 10 guests – starting at $1,400
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 options to add guided sessions, mindfulness practices, or other 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. Towel and tea service included.
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. Towel and tea service included.
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 six. Walk the rock-lined trails, stretch out, or sweat it out in your own private sauna with outdoor shower. Pets are welcome!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to wear and what to bring?
Wear a bathing suit and water-friendly sandals. We’ll provide herbal tea and electrolyte drinks, but feel free to bring a non-metal water bottle to stay hydrated. Luxury towels are provided for sitting and drying off, and we offer cozy socks during the colder months.
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.
Do you offer memberships or packages?
Not at the moment, but we may consider this in the future if our community is interested.
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 will you be located?
All sauna experiences currently take place at South Woods Guesthouse, tucked into the woods at 17097 Lake Sequoyah Drive in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
What type of sessions are offered at South Woods Sauna?
- Single Pass
A flexible drop-in option for a one-time community sauna session. - Group Pass
You can request a special reservation for a sauna buyout here. - Gift Cards Available
Give the gift of wellness with a South Woods sauna gift card. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion, gift cards can be used for any session or package. - Special Event Ticket
Exclusive pricing for seasonal events, themed nights, curated dinners, and wellness workshops. Special event tickets offer unique experiences and guided sessions at a great value.
Sessions last 75 minutes unless otherwise indicated.
Are kids welcome in the sauna session?
Yes! Kids are welcome to sauna with their parent or guardian on select Family Sauna Days. Check our schedule for availability.
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.
