An outdoor cedar shower is the cheapest way to finish a backyard sauna or cold plunge corner. We carry two from Canadian Timber by Dundalk LeisureCraft: the open-frame Sierra tower at $847 and the enclosed Savannah cabin at $1,202.50. Both are Eastern White Cedar, connect to a standard garden hose or a plumbed line, and ship with free curbside freight in the lower 48. This guide compares them and explains how to plan the water supply and drainage. See both in our outdoor showers collection.
Key Takeaways
- Sierra: open-frame cedar tower, $847. Savannah: enclosed cedar cabin with a door, $1,202.50.
- Shower hardware is sold separately. We add it to your factory order; tell us what you need.
- Both connect to a garden hose or a plumbed line and carry a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
- Check local plumbing and wastewater rules before you choose a site or a drain.
- Plan freeze protection if you want to use the shower outside the summer months.
Savannah vs Sierra: the two outdoor cedar shower models
| Model | Price | Design | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | $1,202.50 | Fully enclosed cedar cabin with a door | Privacy, changing, a yard with neighbors in view |
| Sierra | $847 | Compact open-frame cedar tower | Quick rinses, small footprints, screened corners |
| Both | – | Eastern White Cedar, handcrafted in Ontario, garden hose or plumbed line, 5-year warranty, free curbside freight | Beside a cedar sauna or cold plunge, same silver patina |
The price difference is $355.50 and buys you four walls and a door. Shower hardware (valve, head, fittings) is not in the base price for either model. Dimensions are on the drawing in each product gallery.
Choose the right outdoor cedar shower for your space
The right shower fits the way you use your yard, not just the available footprint. Think about who needs privacy, how people will approach the shower, and whether it is a rinse point between sauna rounds or a regular bathing space.
Match the enclosure style to privacy, access and yard layout
The Savannah suits a visible yard or users who want to change inside. The Sierra makes sense where a full enclosure is unnecessary and the shower stands in a naturally screened spot, for example beside a barrel sauna. Look at sightlines from windows, seating areas and neighboring properties, then leave enough room to enter, use and maintain the shower.
Consider who will use the shower and how often
A shower used by several people needs a convenient route from the house, a place for towels and a layout that stays accessible when the yard is busy. Occasional rinsing after a swim or a plunge calls for the simpler Sierra. If users need privacy to change, choose the Savannah.
Balance upfront cost with the features you will use
Beyond the $847 or $1,202.50, budget for these items:
- Shower hardware and compatible fittings (ordered with the shower)
- A level base or prepared installation area
- Water supply work and freeze protection if needed
- Drainage that meets local rules
Plan the site before ordering or plumbing
A good site makes the shower easy to reach and simple to maintain. Start with a level spot or one you can prepare, then work out how water gets in and how wastewater gets out. If you are building a full contrast corner, read our comparison of the cedar cold plunge tubs and place the shower between sauna and plunge.
Select a level location with a practical route to the house
- Check the available footprint and the ground condition.
- Review privacy from nearby windows and property lines.
- Map a convenient route between shower, sauna and house.
- Identify where the supply line and wastewater will run.
Check local rules for outdoor plumbing and wastewater
Rules vary by town. Before you buy materials or connect a drain, ask your local building or plumbing authority what applies. If a licensed plumber is required, include that work in the plan.
Allow for drainage and access for maintenance
Leave room to reach supply connections, shutoffs and any drainage components. Position the shower so water does not collect where people walk or near the house. Cedar needs airflow, so do not box the shower in.
Plan the water supply and fixture connections
Garden hose or plumbed line
Both models connect to a standard garden hose or a plumbed line. A hose gives you a cold-only summer shower in an afternoon. A plumbed line with hot and cold water turns the Savannah into a year-round shower, but it needs a plumber and freeze protection.
Size the supply line and plan freeze protection
Supply line sizing depends on the run, water pressure, fixtures and local code. Have a plumber review it. If temperatures fall below freezing, plan how exposed lines and fixtures will be drained or protected when the shower is not in use.
Confirm the valve and fittings before ordering
Shower hardware is sold separately for both models. Tell us which valve, head and fittings you want and we add them to your factory order, so everything arrives together.
Choose a drainage approach that fits the site
Permitted drain connection or dry well
Some towns allow a connection to the house drain, others accept a gravel bed or dry well for a cold-water rinse shower. These options are not interchangeable everywhere, so ask the local authority which one is acceptable at your site.
Direct wastewater away from the house, paths and neighbors
Plan the slope so water does not collect against the house, cross a walkway or run onto neighboring land. Think about the surface people step onto when they leave the shower.
Sewer or septic connection
Do not connect an outdoor shower to a sewer or septic system without confirming that the connection is permitted and correctly designed.
Install and maintain the cedar shower
Assemble according to the instructions
Use the model's assembly instructions and the supplied hardware on a prepared, level base. If a step is unclear, call us before you continue.
Test supply, valve and drainage before regular use
Inspect lines and fittings for leaks, run the valve through its range, and watch the drainage long enough to spot pooling or seepage.
Clean the cedar and winterize the plumbing
Eastern White Cedar weathers to a silver patina and resists rot naturally. Rinse off dirt and let it breathe; see our cedar maintenance guide. In cold weather, drain or protect exposed plumbing.
Which outdoor cedar shower should you buy?
- Choose the Sierra ($847) for a quick rinse station beside the sauna or plunge, a small footprint, or a screened corner.
- Choose the Savannah ($1,202.50) if you want privacy to change, a visible yard, or a plumbed hot-and-cold shower you use year-round.
- Either one if you are matching a cedar barrel sauna and a cedar cold plunge: all three weather to the same silver patina.
Conclusion
Compare the Savannah and Sierra by enclosure, price and the hardware you add, then settle the water supply and drainage before you order. See both in our outdoor showers collection, or contact us to add hardware to your order or to coordinate delivery with a sauna. Prefer to build your own? Read how to build a DIY outdoor shower.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an outdoor cedar shower cost?
The Sierra is $847 and the Savannah $1,202.50, with free curbside freight in the lower 48. Shower hardware, base, plumbing and drainage come on top.
Is an enclosed or open-frame outdoor shower better?
Enclosed (Savannah) for privacy and changing, open-frame (Sierra) for quick rinses in a screened spot.
Can an outdoor shower use a garden hose?
Yes. Both the Sierra and the Savannah connect to a standard garden hose or to a plumbed line.
Do I need hot water for an outdoor shower?
No. A cold-only hose setup works for rinsing between sauna rounds. Hot and cold water needs a plumbed line.
How should an outdoor shower drain?
That depends on local rules: a permitted drain connection, or a gravel bed or dry well where allowed. Confirm before you build.
How do I protect the plumbing from freezing?
Drain or insulate exposed lines before the first frost, or disconnect the hose and store it.
Does cedar need special care outdoors?
Very little. Rinse it, keep air moving around it, and let it silver. Avoid trapping moisture against the wood.