Let’s check in with our in-the-field sauna troubadour, Kev, who’s here with a Michigan sauna review. You may know Kev as a frequent contributor to SaunaTimes. He loves sauna as much as anyone I know. And he carries his good nature and sauna glow wherever he goes. Our sauna story goes all the way back to the Chicago Sweat Lodge in 2016.
And you can follow along too—just type “Kev” in the search bar at the top right of this page, and you’ll find more from our trusted field reporter. Welcome Kev!
I first visited Northern Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore many years ago. My wife and I fell in love with the natural beauty of the world’s largest freshwater dunes. Between the many hiking trails, bike paths, and scenic overlooks, there is something for everyone to explore. My most recent trip yielded another gem of a find: The MI Sauna in Traverse City.
A short drive from the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, MI Sauna offers amazing views of Lake Michigan’s Traverse Bay. After a day spend hiking, I was ready for sauna and cold plunge.
I arrived for a 5pm sauna session. Owner Dan Sarya built MI Sauna out of his personal love for sauna and community. A full-time orthodontist himself, daily operations are handled by MI Sauna’s own Sauna Meister/Sauna Host, Jarred Ritter. A friendly guy with a passion for sauna, he stoked the IKI stove every 30 minutes, kept an eye on the guests, and joined us to chat about his love of sauna.
Converted from a large horse trailer, the sauna is mobile. It now has a fixed location about 45 feet from Traverse Bay. It includes a 10-person sauna, transition room, and changing/locker room. These mobile saunas are really upping their game. With over 750lbs of rock, the heat reminded me of my favorite Russian Banya in Chicago. The constantly stoked stove made for a great session at 240F. I’d brought along some oak and linden vihtas/brooms to add to the experience and the smells were amazing.
Time for cool down
The cool down was my favorite. Through a small clearing lies the sand beaches and expansive views of Traverse Bay. Even better, a small spring fed creek–Mitchell Creek–empties into the bay at this location. In the summer, when the bay can warm to 80F, the creek stays in the 60s. For me, the creek’s 3-4 feet depth was perfect. As bonus, Jared shared the constant flow of the creek prevents it from freezing during winter, ensuring a cold plunge is always available.
MI SAUNA has built a great community. The 5pm session was a mix of 1st timers and regulars, while the 7pm session was a regular group of 10 that meet weekly to the sauna. I stuck around to visit with the regulars. They love their weekly ritual for the health benefits but especially enjoy their social gathering with like-minded people. I couldn’t agree more.
If you’re visiting the area, a MI Sauna session should be added to the list. It will not disappoint.
