Josh Duhamel's Doomsday Cabin Is Almost Ready For Any Potential Apocalypse

Josh Duhamel is taking doomsday prep seriously, or at least 70 percent seriously.

The actor is opening up about just how stocked and ready his off-grid "doomsday cabin" really is. The property, tucked deep in the Minnesota woods, has become both his escape and his potential survival base.

Back in April, Josh Duhamel admitted the whole point of building the remote lakeside getaway was to stay "removed from everything," and with more than a decade of ownership under his belt, he has clearly thought this through. 

For Duhamel, the property is less about preparing for disaster and more about protecting his peace of mind. He admits that the constant presence of technology, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, has left him uneasy. Building a home tucked away in nature was his answer to that discomfort.

Still, he does not consider himself a full-blown doomsday prepper. But should something horrible happen, the star says he is mostly ready. In his own words, "Well, I have enough. Not 100%. Probably 70%." 

He tells PEOPLE that part of the motivation for getting the space was creative balance, learning simple skills, and getting back to basics.

Making movies is rewarding, but Duhamel said he felt a strong pull toward hands-on work and reconnecting with the kind of everyday tasks that modern life often makes easy to forget.

Duhamel has spoken before about his off-grid Minnesota cabin; at the time, it was less about him and more about what the space means for his family. 

Parade highlighted how the 52-year-old is raising his children, Axl Jack, whom he shares with Fergie, and Shepherd, his son with wife Audra Mari, to appreciate life away from constant distractions.

For Duhamel, the cabin is not just a weekend retreat; it is where his kids learn to unplug. He says Axl puts down his iPad when he is there, trading screen time for boat rides, soccer matches, and helping out in the woods.

Looking ahead, Duhamel hopes the property will outlast him, passing it down through generations. "It's really about family. It's about legacy," he explained, adding that he wants his children to inherit more than just land; they will inherit a place built on experiences, connection, and values.

It is not just talk for Duhamel. He knows the cabin can bring him closer to his sons because it has already helped repair his relationship with his dad.

He admitted his relationship with his dad was once strained following his parents' divorce, but the cabin has given them a reason to reconnect. "I've become a lot closer to my own parents because of this place," he said. 

"My dad absolutely loves coming out there to hang out. And we've spent more time together in the last five to 10 years than we ever did growing up. I'm much closer to my dad," Duhamel shares. 

Part of the cabin's magic is its isolation, as the nearest store is 40 miles away. Once there, he notes that everyone pitches in, spends time together, and focuses on the basics.

Duhamel has never hidden how much being a father means to him. PEOPLE highlighted that he is now raising two sons, 12-year-old Axl and baby Shepherd, and he admits fatherhood has shaped nearly every part of his life.  

Axl, his first child with ex-wife Fergie, was born in 2013 and named after rock legend Axl Rose. While the couple split in 2019 after a decade of marriage, Duhamel has remained close to his son. 

The older star notes that Axl has caught the acting bug, though Duhamel has said he will have to wait until he is older before stepping in front of the camera. In the meantime, sports, especially basketball, have taken center stage.

Duhamel and his wife, Audra Mari, expanded the family again in January 2024 when they welcomed Shepherd, just months after announcing their pregnancy.

In a sit-down with Graham Bensinger, he admitted the glitz of Hollywood never truly felt like home to him. The Blast noted that during the 2023 interview, Duhamel spoke candidly about how the mismatch in lifestyles slowly pulled them apart.

Duhamel explained that he and the singer eventually "outgrew each other," adding that their interests became too different to bridge. While he is better at handling the spotlight today, Duhamel confessed he was never fully comfortable with red carpets, celebrity events, or the constant attention.

Instead, he has found peace back in North Dakota, where he spends more time outdoors and close to his roots. 

Will Josh Duhamel inspire his fans to get them a doomsday cabin?