SEPTEMBER 2026
Just north of Edmonton, nestled among orchard trees in Sturgeon County, Yarrowstead Sauna & Cold Buckets offers visitors an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the restorative benefits of contrast therapy. What started as a desire to share the beauty of a family property has grown into a unique wellness destination helping people step away from the demands of everyday life, without having to travel far from home.
Built from the land
For founder Dominique Blackburn, the inspiration for Yarrowstead began with the land itself. Upon moving to the property, she knew she wanted to find a meaningful way to share its natural beauty with others. Conversations with her brother, a longtime sauna and contrast therapy enthusiast, sparked the idea of creating a nature-based wellness space among the orchard trees where visitors could step outside the noise of city life and find calm in the countryside.
Combining her passion for land stewardship and growing food with a genuine desire to support community wellness, Dominique and her family built Yarrowstead. It’s a grounded, nature-forward space offering a Nordic-inspired outdoor experience for guests. Located just 15 minutes north of Edmonton, it’s close enough to be convenient and far enough to feel like a true escape.
Even the name carries meaning. Yarrowstead is named after “yarrow,” the resilient wildflower that grows on the property and has long been prized for its healing properties, and “stead,” reflecting a sense of place, rootedness, and connection to the land.
“Sturgeon County gave us the space to create something that feels truly connected to nature, while still being close enough to Edmonton to be accessible. There is a real opportunity here for entrepreneurs who want to build something unique and be part of a growing local wellness community,” Dominique said.
The experience
The Yarrowstead experience is built around a simple, proven cycle: heat, cold, and rest. Guests move through sessions in a wood-burning sauna that fits 12, followed by cold water bucket drenches, then unwind in a cozy gazebo lounge area surrounded by nature. Repeating the cycle one to three times deepens the benefits, boosting circulation, easing muscle soreness, reducing inflammation, and leaving guests with a lasting sense of calm and mental clarity.
Dominique and her family have carefully considered every detail to help guests feel comfortable and welcome. Everything from plush robes, towels and waterproof footwear, a variety of hot teas, blankets, a cedar deck, a heated change room, and an on-site host to keep the fire burning and questions answered. The experience is accessible at $40 per community session, with 5-pack, 10-pack, and monthly unlimited membership options available for those who want to make it a regular practice.
Visitors can join self-guided community sessions, reserve the space for a private group, or book it out entirely for corporate retreats and special celebrations. Yarrowstead has already hosted a variety of private events including surprise birthdays, bridal showers, and team-building sessions, offering something genuinely different for groups looking for a memorable and rejuvenating experience together.
Start strong + growing community
Yarrowstead has made a remarkable early impression. Within its first months of operation, the business has welcomed hundreds of visitors and surpassed 4,000 Instagram followers, driven by strong community support, positive reviews, word of mouth, and social media.
Popular offerings include Fit & Fun Fridays, where guests enjoy a fitness class led by a local instructor, followed by sauna sessions, cold buckets, and social time in the tea lounge. The space has also been rented for yoga retreats, fitness classes and day-long getaways.
Looking ahead, Dominique hopes to continue to expand on what Yarrowstead can offer guests. She has been thrilled to collaborate with neighbouring businesses and local entrepreneurs, including Forcade Farms, whose locally grown flowers have been featured in the Yarrowstead tea lounge as well as A&B’s Main Squeeze Natural Juices, whose juices elevated the guest experience during a yoga & soundbath evening overlooking the orchard!
Plan your visit to Yarrowstead
Yarrowstead offers community sauna sessions, private group bookings, and wellness-focused events throughout the season. Located just 15 minutes north of Edmonton, it’s an accessible destination for anyone looking to unwind, recover, and reconnect with nature close to home.
