What to bring to a public sauna or bathhouse
Rules differ a lot: big bathhouses hand you towels and slippers, while outdoor lake and river saunas expect you to bring everything. Here is the short checklist, followed by what individual venues actually say.
Quick checklist
- Swimsuit — required at most shared saunas (some private suites and a few bathhouses differ).
- Towels — often two at outdoor saunas: one to sit on, one to dry off. Bathhouses usually provide them.
- Sandals or water shoes — for walking to the plunge, lake or river.
- Water bottle — you will sweat a lot.
- A bag for wet things and as little else as possible.
What venues tell their guests
| Venue | City | What they say |
|---|---|---|
| Guss Mobile wood-fired river sauna | Portland | Two towels (required), sandals, a full water bottle, a swimsuit (required – sessions are in public spaces). source |
| FoxFire Breathworks Public wood-fired lake sauna | Minneapolis | A towel, sandals or water shoes, and a water bottle. Bins are provided for clothes; there is no private changing space. source |
| Garden Sauna Outdoor wood-fired sauna & cold plunge | Denver | Swimwear and a towel are required. source |
| Eastend Finnish sauna & cold plunge studio | Chicago | Bathing suit required; towels provided; barefoot space (neoprene booties sold at the desk); shower before each round. source |
| Cøntrast Contrast therapy studio (communal garden + private suites) | Austin | Bathing suit required in the shared Garden; no suit required in private suites. Towels and sandals are provided either way. source |
| Common Ground Wellness Cooperative Bathhouse (salt-water soak, dry sauna) | Portland | Bring your own towel or rent one ($2.50); you must sit on a towel on all benches. Clothing-optional. source |
| Bathhouse Williamsburg Bathhouse (thermal pools, banya, saunas, cold plunges) | New York City | Locker rooms are stocked with towels, slippers and personal care products. source |
| Bywater Sauna Mobile waterfront sauna | Seattle | Shelves and hooks outside the sauna; leave non-essential items at home. Rinse showers only (no private showers). source |