Bear Creek Introduces New Partnership with Leisurecraft
Expanding What’s Possible in Outdoor Living
At Bear Creek, our work has always been centered around one simple idea: helping people get outdoors in daily life. Not just to look at their backyard—but to truly use it, experience it, and benefit from it.
Over the years, one request has come up consistently: saunas and wellness-focused outdoor features.
We’ve taken our time responding to that. Not because of lack of interest—but because we were looking for the right partner. A company that builds quality products, does it responsibly, and offers options that are accessible for real families—not just high-end, one-off installs.
That’s what led us to partner with Leisurecraft.
Their product line gives us the ability to offer thoughtfully designed wellness features that integrate naturally into outdoor spaces—whether as a standalone addition or as part of a fully designed backyard.
Why This Partnership Makes Sense
This isn’t about adding a product category. It’s about expanding what an outdoor space can do for you.
The right amenities:
- Encourage you to step outside more often
- Support physical health and recovery
- Create rhythms of rest and renewal
- Make your space something you use, not just maintain
These are the kinds of details that take a space from visually appealing to personally meaningful.
Whether it’s:
- The discipline of a sauna and cold plunge routine
- The simplicity of soaking in a wood-fired hot tub
- Or the everyday refresh of an outdoor shower
These elements give purpose to your outdoor space. They draw you outside—and keep you there.
A Real-World Example
We’re currently designing a vacation property built around this exact idea.
The goal for the owner was clear:
Create a space that supports health, wellness, and shared experience for everyone who visits.
The design includes:
- A swimming pool
- A hot tub
- And a sauna positioned intentionally within the landscape
One of the defining features is a panoramic sauna, carefully placed so that when you’re inside, you’re looking out over mountain and river views. It’s not just a sauna—it’s an experience tied directly to its surroundings.
That kind of thinking is what makes these features work.
They aren’t add-ons. They’re integrated into how the space is lived in.
What We Can Now Offer Through Leisurecraft
With this partnership, we’re able to bring a range of outdoor wellness and lifestyle products to our clients. Below are the primary categories and how they fit into real spaces.
1. Barrel Saunas
Barrel saunas are one of the most efficient and recognizable sauna designs available.
Why they work:
- The rounded shape allows for faster, more even heating
- Compact footprint fits well into existing backyards
- Simple, clean design complements both rustic and modern settings
These are ideal for:
- Clients adding a sauna to an existing space
- Properties where space is limited
- Those wanting a straightforward, proven sauna experience
2. Cabin Saunas & Panorama Saunas
For those looking for something more architectural, cabin-style and panoramic saunas offer a different level of experience.
Key advantages:
- More interior space and flexibility
- Larger glass areas for natural light and views
- Strong visual presence within a designed landscape
The panoramic models, in particular, allow you to:
- Frame views intentionally
- Connect the experience of heat and relaxation with the surrounding environment
These are best suited for:
- Integrated design/build projects
- Properties with strong natural views
- Clients who want the sauna to be a focal point
3. Cold Plunge Tubs
Cold plunges are often paired with saunas, but they also stand on their own as a powerful wellness tool.
Benefits include:
- Muscle recovery
- Circulation improvement
- Increased energy and mental clarity
From a design standpoint, they:
- Require thoughtful placement for accessibility
- Work best when connected to a larger routine (sauna, pool, or fitness area)
We’re seeing growing interest in contrast therapy setups—moving between heat and cold as part of a daily or weekly rhythm.
4. Wood-Fired Hot Tubs
There’s something fundamentally different about a wood-fired hot tub compared to a conventional spa.
What sets them apart:
- Off-grid capability (no need for full electrical systems)
- Slower, more intentional heating process
- A quieter, more natural soaking experience
They tend to appeal to clients who:
- Value simplicity and independence
- Have rural or mountain properties
- Want a more traditional, grounded outdoor experience
5. Outdoor Showers
Simple in concept, but highly impactful when done right.
Outdoor showers:
- Extend the usability of pools and hot tubs
- Support active, outdoor lifestyles
- Add a daily-use feature that keeps people connected to the outdoors
They’re especially valuable for:
- Homes with pools
- Clients who spend time hiking, running, or working outdoors
- Properties where indoor/outdoor flow matters
How These Fit Into Our Work
One of the strengths of this partnership is flexibility.
These products can be:
- Standalone additions to an existing backyard
- Integrated into a full outdoor living design
- Phased into a space over time
Not every project needs everything.
But the right combination—placed thoughtfully—can significantly change how a space is used.
Final Thought
Outdoor living isn’t just about building structures. It’s about shaping how you live.
The addition of wellness-focused features like saunas, cold plunges, and soaking tubs gives people a reason to step outside consistently—and to stay there longer.
That’s why this partnership matters.
It allows us to offer practical, well-built solutions that support the kind of outdoor life many people want—but haven’t fully built into their space yet.
Let’s Build Something That Gets You Outside
If you’re considering adding a sauna, cold plunge, or other wellness feature—or you’re planning a larger outdoor project—we can help you think through how it all fits together.
Let’s design a space that doesn’t just look good—but actually gets used.
Written by: Brian Mininger
I grew up in Waynesboro, Virginia, and currently live in Greenville on Bear Root Farm with my wife, Victoria, co-founder of Bear Creek Outdoor Living. We have four daughters and three sons-in-law, several of whom work with us, and I enjoy spending time together as a family and working alongside them.
I love being outdoors, especially hiking and trail running on our public lands, and I regularly participate in ultra-running events. At Bear Creek, I enjoy helping clients guide their vision into reality and providing steady, visionary leadership to our team.