(Substack)—Actor Josh Duhamel has turned a remote stretch of Minnesota wilderness into a family sanctuary that’s as much about reconnecting with roots as it is about being ready for whatever comes next. The 52-year-old, known for roles in films like “Transformers” and his recent work on Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon,” shared insights into his self-built home during a conversation with People magazine, where he assessed his readiness for a major crisis at around 70 percent.
“Well, I have enough,” the “Ransom Canyon” star said. “Not 100%. Probably 70%.”
Duhamel acknowledged areas for improvement to ensure long-term self-sufficiency, particularly in sourcing food. “I could be a better hunter, I could be a better fisherman. I could stockpile a little more food supply,” he said.
The property, which spans 26 acres alongside a small lake and sits about two miles off the main road, represents over 15 years of hands-on effort. Duhamel started with a half-parcel of land an hour and a half from Fargo, North Dakota, and expanded it over time. He described the early days as true homesteading: no plumbing, relying on outhouses, and washing dishes in the lake. The cabin itself evokes classic Americana—a cute little red structure with a stone chimney right on the water, reminiscent of a Terry Redlin painting.
Key features underscore his practical approach to independence. The site includes three wells for reliable water access, food plots for growing provisions, and a custom filtration system. Even with modern touches like Starlink for connectivity, the focus remains on essentials. “I’ve spent 15 years cultivating our lakeside property—building on it, popping stumps, putting in wells, planting food plots,” Duhamel told Country Living.
This shift from Los Angeles life stems from a deeper pull toward simplicity and capability. “I make movies and TV shows, and I love it, I truly do love it, but I had this calling,” Duhamel explained. That calling was “to go and really do things with my hands again — fix things, make things and just do the basic things that we take for granted.”
He emphasized staying grounded amid modern distractions, especially technology’s rapid advance, which he finds unsettling. Duhamel noted that artificial intelligence particularly “scares” him, viewing the cabin as a respite from “this world of massive technology.”
Yet, he pushes back on the “doomsday prepper” label, framing it instead as honoring heritage and building resilience. “The truth is, yes, people want to call it a doomsday prepper thing, but it’s really not that,” he told People. “I’m really more of a guy who wants to stay true to my roots, get back to the basics, hone whatever basic skills I need.”
“I don’t think that we’re in any dire situation that we have to worry about prepping for doomsday, but it is good to have some of those skills,” Duhamel added. “I was getting so far away from it for so long, that I felt like I wanted to get back to some of that.”
Family lies at the heart of this endeavor. Duhamel shares the home with wife Audra Mari and their young son Shepherd, now around 19 months old, while his 11-year-old son Axl, from his previous marriage to Fergie, joins them regularly. The isolation fosters bonds: “The closest store is 40 miles away,” he said in April. “Once we get there, it’s really about everybody taking care of each other – making memories, spending time with family and friends.”
“You’re not consumed by all these other distractions,” Duhamel said. “When you’re out there, it’s really about having fun, making sure everybody’s warm, everybody’s got food and water.”
The setup allows his kids to experience unfiltered childhood—catching frogs, collecting sticks, and coming home covered in dirt—which Duhamel sees as vital in an era dominated by screens. “These days there’s so much anger in the world, and I think it’s because people are on their phones, getting caught up in whatever they’re being fed through their devices as opposed to being outside connecting with the world. Nature helps ground you to what’s important,” he shared.
Duhamel has also reflected on the property’s role in tougher scenarios. “I have this crazy fixation on what happens if s–t hits the fan in LA and I have to take my family out there and live off the land,” he said in 2024. “I believe that we could live off the land out there. I’m not very good at it yet, but I’m getting there.”
Recent upgrades, including planned renovations, show his ongoing commitment to refining the space while extending similar preparations to his Western properties. For Duhamel, it’s all about providing for his loved ones through hard work and foresight, proving that true security comes from within.
It’s dumb to let people know. Makes you a target if it does hit the fan