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6 Indigenous-Owned Sauna Experiences Across British Columbia
By Indigenous Tourism British Columbia
Across British Columbia, Indigenous-owned tourism experiences invite visitors to slow down and connect more deeply with the places they visit.
Whether overlooking the ocean, nestled in the mountains, beside a river, or tucked into an urban neighbourhood, these destinations offer opportunities to relax while experiencing the diversity of landscapes and communities in BC.
A sauna can be the perfect way to end a day of loving the land, warm up after time on the water or in the winter, or simply pause and enjoy. From cedar-scented, wood-fired riverside saunas to waterfront retreats with passing whales and welcoming city wellness spaces, each offers a different way to experience Indigenous hospitality and connection to place.
A perfect way
To End Your Day
These saunas are part of a larger experience, inviting you to unwind after adventures ranging from horseback riding through mountain landscapes to casting for legendary Fraser River sturgeon. Because sometimes the best way to experience a place is to pause.
Photo: Dolf Vermeulen Creative | Klahoose Wilderness Resort
Revelstoke
Alpha Mountain Lodging
Unwind in a handcrafted cedar-barrel sauna at Alpha Mountain Lodging, a Métis-owned retreat on 25 forested acres near Revelstoke in the Traditional Territories of the Sinixt, Secwépemc, Syilx, and Ktunaxa Peoples. Stay in one of six modern-rustic cabins, then explore the Kihîw Nature Trail, where Indigenous interpretation brings local plants, wildlife, and the landscape to life. In winter, the trail transforms into a snowshoe route, making this Biosphere Certified retreat a peaceful escape in every season.
Agassiz
Fraser River Lodge
Take in sweeping views of the Fraser River and Mount Cheam while relaxing in the outdoor sauna at Fraser River Lodge. Located in the Fraser Valley within the Traditional Territory of the Stó:lō Peoples, the lodge pairs its sauna with a cold shower and outdoor fire pit for a classic hot-and-cold wellness experience. The peaceful riverside setting invites guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a restorative stay.
Vernon
Rain Wellness
Recharge at Rain Wellness, an Indigenous-owned wellness clinic in Vernon on the Traditional Territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples. Alongside registered massage therapy and holistic treatments, guests can experience a full-spectrum infrared sauna that supports relaxation and recovery. Grounded in Indigenous teachings and the natural cycles of the seasons, Rain Wellness offers a welcoming space where healing and well-being come together.
Desolation Sound
Klahoose Wilderness Resort
Reconnect with the coast at Klahoose Wilderness Resort, an Indigenous-owned, all-inclusive retreat in Desolation Sound on the Traditional Territory of the Klahoose First Nation. Alternate between the resort’s wood-fired floating sauna and refreshing ocean swims, then explore calm coastal waters by kayak or paddleboard. Guided cultural experiences, wildlife viewing, rainforest trails, and nourishing meals complete this immersive wellness escape.
Nemaiah Valley
Nemiah Valley Lodge
Slow down at Nemiah Valley Lodge, an Indigenous-owned, off-grid retreat in the Traditional Territory of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia. Relax in the wood-fired sauna and outdoor hot tub before exploring the surrounding wilderness through guided wildlife tours, horseback adventures, hiking, or cultural experiences. Surrounded by wide-open landscapes, it’s an ideal place to reconnect with nature and yourself.
Ainsworth
Spirit Water Spa at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort
Set mountainside overlooking Kootenay Lake at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, Spirit Water Spa brings traditional elements into signature wellness treatments. Owned by Yaqan Nukiy, the Lower Kootenay Band, the spa offers facials, energy work, glacial clay wraps, and a sweetgrass scrub and massage, among other treatments. Add an infrared sauna session to your visit, or enjoy private sauna time on its own, for a deeper pause and reset.
Pause and Connect With Place
The setting is always part of the experience. From ocean views and mountain landscapes to riverside escapes and welcoming city spaces, these Indigenous-owned tourism experiences offer a chance to slow down, warm up, and appreciate the places that surround you.
A sauna may be one part of the journey, whether enjoyed after a day of adventure or as a moment to simply pause and recharge. By choosing Indigenous-owned tourism experiences, you support Indigenous businesses, contribute to local communities, and experience British Columbia through relationships with place, culture, and hospitality that continue today.