Minnesota's Deep Finnish Sauna Tradition

The Sauna Capital of America

If there is a state in America that truly understands sauna, it is Minnesota. Home to the largest concentration of Finnish-Americans in the country, Minnesota has a sauna tradition that runs deeper than almost anywhere outside of Finland itself.

How Finnish Sauna Came to Minnesota

The story begins in the 1860s, when the first wave of Finnish immigrants arrived in Minnesota. They were drawn by the landscape: vast forests, abundant lakes, harsh winters, and rocky terrain that reminded them of the homeland they had left behind. They settled primarily on the Mesabi and Vermilion Iron Ranges in northern Minnesota, where they found work in the booming iron mining industry.

The first thing many Finnish families built after their home was a sauna. In some cases, the sauna came first, serving as temporary shelter while the main house was being constructed. The sauna was not a luxury. It was essential: the warmest, cleanest room on the homestead and the center of family life.

Saturday Night Sauna

On the Iron Range, Saturday night sauna became a weekly ritual as regular and important as Sunday church. The routine was nearly universal among Finnish families:

• The sauna would be fired up in the late afternoon
• Father and sons bathed first, followed by mother and daughters
• Birch whisks (vihta) were used for gentle beating that stimulated circulation
• After bathing, the family gathered for coffee and pulla (Finnish cardamom bread)

This Saturday night tradition continued for generations and is still practiced by many Iron Range families today.

Sauna Towns

Several Minnesota towns became known for their concentration of saunas. In towns like Embarrass, Ely, Virginia, and Hibbing, it was common for every home to have its own sauna. The small town of Embarrass, which holds the record for the coldest recorded temperature in Minnesota, is known as the Finnish-American capital and has preserved many historic log saunas.

The Salolampi Finnish Language Village near Bemidji, run by Concordia Language Villages, teaches Finnish language and culture to young people, and sauna is a central part of the experience.

Beyond the Iron Range

While the Iron Range is the heartland of Minnesota's Finnish sauna tradition, the practice has spread across the state over the decades. In the Twin Cities, a growing number of public saunas, sauna clubs, and mobile sauna services are introducing the tradition to people of all backgrounds.

This expansion represents something beautiful: a cultural tradition that began as an immigrant community's connection to their homeland is now becoming a shared experience for all Minnesotans.

The New Generation

Today, a new generation is discovering and reimagining the Finnish sauna tradition. Young Minnesotans are building saunas in their backyards, joining sauna communities, and exploring the health and wellness benefits that their Finnish ancestors took for granted.

Social media has played a surprising role in this revival. Instagram and TikTok accounts featuring Minnesota saunas have drawn thousands of followers, creating a new community of sauna enthusiasts who share tips, designs, and experiences.

Our Place in the Story

As second-generation Finnish Americans from Golden Valley, we grew up with sauna. It was not exotic or trendy. It was just what we did. Saturday night sauna with family was as natural as eating dinner.

When we started MN Mobile Sauna, our goal was simple: share this tradition with people who might never otherwise experience it. Whether you have Finnish roots or you have never been near a sauna in your life, we want you to feel what we felt growing up, that deep warmth, that total relaxation, that sense of connection to something ancient and meaningful.

Minnesota's sauna tradition is not just history. It is alive, growing, and ready to welcome everyone.