An outdoor bath, featuring an open-air tub and possibly a shower, is simultaneously one of life’s simple pleasures and the ultimate luxury. Alfresco baths have been embraced all over the world for this very reason—they give us grounds to leave our cluttered lives behind, take a pause, and immerse ourselves in the peaceful envelope of nature.
If you’ve travelled in a tropical country, there’s a good chance that you’ve experienced the allure of an outdoor bath. Accommodations in warm-weather destinations often include an oversized tub nestled among lush greenery, a shower flanked by a rustic stone wall, and an open-air sink. Birds drop by and butterflies wander through, and you resolve to never leave.
From a repurposed old clawfoot tub to a luxurious soaking tub, outdoor baths wind up being the centre of attention in any space. It might have incredible views from a secluded vantage point, or it might be tucked up along the forest’s edge. That’s the beauty of incorporating an outdoor tub in design—there are virtually no constraints as to its placement, especially when not dependent on plumbing.
But the outside bath isn’t only reserved for tropical or dry climates. In our travels we’ve encountered equally-captivating open-air tubs and showers across the Northern hemisphere. There’s nothing like a soothing soak in a steamy tub in a snowscape, or even the immersive experience of bathing in the rain. No matter the destination, an outdoor bath can help you feel more connected to the landscape around you—helping you find a greater sense of connection with nature and yourself.
To get inspired for your next soak, here are seven of our favourite styles of outdoor baths:
Outdoor Bathtub Among the Trees
Situated a short stroll from the cabin at an ideal vantage point for experiencing the sunrise, this concrete outdoor bathtub is plumbed and fully immersed in nature, surrounded by lush trees. This secluded tranquility is found at Hill Country Hammock House, a dreamy AirBnB just outside of Austin, Texas.
Ryokan Bath
Found at traditional Japanese inns called ryokan, these soaking tubs—known as ofuro—offer a place to recalibrate in natural surroundings. Often heated by natural hot springs and made of wood or stone, the purpose of the ryokan outdoor bath is to experience sheer tranquility while you absorb the view—whether it's of rolling meadows, birch forests, or private landscaped gardens. At Zaborin Ryokan near Niseko, this hot springs soaking tub—an onsen ofuro—draws you in with front-row views of the surrounding forested haven.
Rustic Garden Tub
Proof that an outdoor bath with a well-placed privacy screen can turn an ordinary yard into something special, this private backyard sanctuary is the place to unwind at the end of a long day. Picture it as part of a restorative evening ritual: slipping into a candlelit, character-filled vintage bathtub after dinner, surrounded by potted plants, all beneath the night sky.
City Sanctuary
Even in the heart of the city, it’s possible to carve out a quiet escape. Here, a minimalist garden tub is integrated seamlessly into the hardscape, surrounded by walls and fences softened by climbing greenery. Thick foliage not only adds privacy and beauty to this outdoor bath, but also helps hush the ambient noise of urban life, creating a space that feels both grounded and alive. A place to watch butterflies drift through, or birds stopping at a bird feeder.
Forest Bathing
Nestle a pair of clawfoot bathtubs under a grove of tall redwood trees to give new meaning to the Japanese art of forest bathing. Sink into the hot water and breathe in the sweet dampness of the forest floor, listen to the sound of the Big Sur river, and light the fire pit to ward off the evening chill. Find these outdoor baths outside the Big Sur cabin at Glen Oaks, Big Sur, CA.
Minimalist Bath
Rooted in simplicity, this outdoor bath reflects a distinctly Japanese approach to design—one that values harmony with nature, natural materials, and subtle beauty. A wood-clad soaking tub rests on pea gravel between house and stone, with only a side table and a screen of evergreens. The space invites presence: warm water, quiet light, and a moment of pause just outside the door.
Desert Bath
The stark beauty of the desert is another vista worth soaking in. A minimally designed shelter allows you to comfortably settle into the open landscape of Joshua Tree indefinitely. With sun-scorched days and cool, starlit nights, outdoor bathing here invites both hot and cold immersion, depending on the season. Designed by Oak Design Project, this outdoor bath space offers a rain shower, twin sinks, and a toilet, discreetly integrated between the bathing and wash areas.
Explore more outdoor bathing settings in our A Place to Pause series.
Kendra Nickerson
Kendra is a writer, editor, and strategist who is driven by a love for finding better ways to do things. She covers the Resources articles for GOODLAND—the how-tos and whys. Kendra loves to garden, cook, and go on vacations that combine nature with bathing. In her past life, she worked in art and design.
