Inside Ransom Canyon star Josh Duhamel's 'doomsday cabin' that's 40 miles from civilization

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Josh Duhamel lives in a 'doomsday cabin' in the woods of Minnesota.

The 52-year-old actor opened the doors to Country Living this week to show off the home he built himself with his own hands.

The move took place long before he started playing stoic Staten Kirkland on Netflix's hit series Ransom Canyon.

The rustic but cozy cabin is located on 26 acres by a small lake which is two miles down from a main road. It's about an hour drive from Fargo.

'We're about 40 minutes from civilization,' Josh told the magazine. 'It's an exhale whenever we get here. And then after that you venture even deeper into the forest,' he added.

Building the home came out of passion for a simpler life.

'I've spent 15 years cultivating our lakeside property—building on it, popping stumps, putting in wells, planting food plots,' he shared. 

Josh Duhamel lives in a 'doomsday cabin' in the woods of Minnesota

The 52-year-old actor opened the doors to Country Living this week to show off the home he built himself with his own hands

The move took place long before he started playing stoic Staten Kirkland on Netflix 's hit series Ransom Canyon

'We were basically homesteading the first 12 years. For the longest time we didn't have plumbing,' he remarked.

'We were using outhouses and washing dishes in the lake.' Josh has added some amenities in recent years.

'I feel so connected to it—I didn't just buy the place, I shaped this place. While we've made a lot of improvements, you still feel like you're roughing it, and I love that,' he included.

'It's a cute little red cabin with a stone chimney that sits right on the water—it's basically a Terry Redlin painting,' said Josh.

And his children love it: 'Here my kids get to be kids—catching frogs, collecting sticks. They come home and they're filthy, and I think that's so good for them. 

'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 lives in Minnesota with his current wife Audra Mari, 31, and their 16-month-old son Shepherd. He also shares 11-year-old son Axl with his ex. 

Josh gave a tour of his compound when on In Depth With Graham Bensinger. 

The Hollywood movie star seen on the cover of Country Living magazine

The rustic but cozy cabin is located on 26 acres by a small lake which is two miles down from a main road

It's about an hour drive from Fargo. 'We're about 40 minutes from civilization,' Josh told the magazine

'It's an exhale whenever we get here. And then after that you venture even deeper into the forest,' he added

It came out of passion. 'I've spent 15 years cultivating our lakeside property—building on it, popping stumps, putting in wells, planting food plots,' he shared

'We were basically homesteading the first 12 years. For the longest time we didn't have plumbing,' he remarked. 'We were using outhouses and washing dishes in the lake'

'I feel so connected to it—I didn't just buy the place, I shaped this place. While we've made a lot of improvements, you still feel like you're roughing it, and I love that,' he included

'It's a cute little red cabin with a stone chimney that sits right on the water—it's basically a Terry Redlin painting,' said Josh

'Part of the reason I built my place out in Minnesota, deep in the woods, is it's removed from everything,' he explained. 

'It really got me back in touch,' he added. 'There's something about it that fulfills the soul in a lot of ways.' 

The Shotgun Wedding star said living a more private life also helps him and his family focus on what is truly important to them. 

'The closest store is 40 miles away. Once we get there, it's really about everybody taking care of each other — making memories, spending time with family and friends.'

He continued: 'You really get a chance to get back to the basics.

'You're not consumed by all these other distractions. When you're out there, it's really about having fun, making sure everybody's warm, everybody's got food and water.' 

The actor, who was born and raised to be accustomed to the great outdoors, growing up in North Dakota, added: 'I'm always out there doing something, dillydallying. It's like a big playground.' 

He also spoke about how he wants to raise his sons the same way. 

And his children love it: 'Here my kids get to be kids—catching frogs, collecting sticks. They come home and they're filthy, and I think that's so good for them'

'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,' he said

Josh then said: 'Nature helps ground you to what's important'

He lives there with his current wife Audra Mari, 31, and their 16-month-old son Shepherd. He also shares 11-year-old son Axl with his ex Fergie

 Duhamel as Staten and Minka Kelly as Quinn on Ransom Canyon

'My son is going to have memories of this place forever. He's not on his iPad when he's out there,' he said, referring to his eldest son Axl. 

'He's out there in the boat with me, or he's playing soccer on the beach, or he's out there in the woods doing whatever I'm doing.' 

He continued: 'And then I have a little baby who's going to experience the same thing. 

'Someday, I hope to pass this on to them [so] they're able to share it with their kids. It's really important to me that they have this. 

'It's not just about having all the amenities and all the luxuries that we become so used to. It's really about family. It's about legacy.'