How to Make a Sweat Bath in the Wilderness

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Last Updated: May 13, 2023

Want to build your own steam room in the wilderness? These simple instructions will tell you how to do so for relaxation or a thorough cleansing while roughing it. It's actually very easy and fun if done safely.

Disclaimer: It is very, very dangerous for a beginner to build and use a sweat lodge, as the rocks can be toxic or explode, and the tent canvas can burn. Additionally, any sort of unattended burning fire can start a wildfire.

Steps

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Find a level spot, preferably rocky (to avoid a muddy mess), with enough space for a four-person (or larger) tent and a large fire several feet away. It should also be near a clear stream or pond if possible.
Leave a 6–12 inch (15.2–30.5 cm) border around the bottom so that the tent will hold its shape better when assembled.

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Assemble the tent. Set it up the same as you would if it had a bottom. You may need to stack rocks at the corners of the tent to hold the poles in place.
Find several large igneous rocks. DO NOT use rocks from a river or creek, as they will shatter and burn your body badly. (see Warnings below)
Build a large fire several feet from the tent (see Warnings below). Once the fire has built up a lot of hot coals, place several of the rocks in the bed of coals and continue to fuel the fire around them for 30-45 minutes.
Make sure that nothing hot will touch the side of the tent or the people in it. (See Warnings.) Place a pan of cold water next to the rock ring.
Use heavy leather work gloves and a pitchfork (or a sturdy camp shovel if no pitchfork is available) to remove the red-hot rocks from the fire pit and place them carefully into the rock-ring inside the tent. It's a good idea to sweep and/or blow on the stones to remove any ash, dust and embers that might go into the lodge and then into your lungs.
Zip it shut from inside, leaving a small air hole.
Pour water slowly over hot rocks to create steam. Repeat until the tent is hot and steamy. Enjoy your sweat bath for 15 - 20 minutes.
Bathe in cool water. (Optional) Exit your sweat bath and jump into a pool of clean, cool water and enjoy the marvelous cleansing effect. This may be the cleanest you'll ever feel in the wilderness, even without soap.

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Question

How do I breathe in the steam?

Community Answer

Place a towel over your head, approach the steam bowl, and inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds. Exhale using your mouth for another 4 seconds. Repeat inhale/exhale for 5 minutes. You will feel your lungs expanding as you relax. It's a good idea to ask a doctor if it is safe for you to breathe the steam.

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How can I put out the fire without making dangerously hot steam?

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Build a fire only as big as you need. Place more flat rocks around the fire like a pyramid to cover it.

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Tips

Adjust the humidity by sprinkling small amounts of water over the hot stones. Pouring too much water on at once might produce enough steam to cause severe skin burns, and will cool the stones on contact.

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Use a rain fly or plastic tarp over the tent to help keep the steam inside as it builds up, but don't forget to leave an air hole.

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If possible, build the sweat lodge on rocky but level ground, near a river if possible. This will help make the sweat lodge experience both safer and more enjoyable.

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Warnings

It is very important to get fresh air into the tent; there have been cases of people not surviving in a sweat lodge due to having the tent closed up too tight.

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Rocks which have been immersed in water for a long time can trap water inside them, which can cause the rock to explode when heated to high temperatures. Avoid using ANY rocks that have been soaking in river or streams.

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Don't stay in the hot steam too long, as this can be dangerous past twenty minutes.

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Make sure you're not breaking any fire codes or other restrictions in the wilderness area where you are.

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Be careful handling the hot rocks. Don't burn yourself or anything else in the process.

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Avoid alcohol or heavy meals before entering steam bath.

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Be careful selecting rocks! Many Native Americans use volcanic rocks, but not other types (see below).

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Be careful building a fire. Learn how to start a fire safely and properly.

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Use only smooth, non-porous river rocks. Porous or cracked rocks could split and shatter from the extreme heat changes.

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Be sure to return the rocks to the places where you found them to preserve the natural features of the setting and incredible pristine beauty of the wilderness.

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Keep the fire far enough away from the tent to make sure it doesn't catch fire.

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Remember to rehydrate with plenty of water.

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