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How to Make a Good Campfire

How to Make a Good Campfire
The campfire is one of the highlights of any camping adventure. It fends off the chill in the night air and provides a source of heat to cook with. Not being able to get a fire going can put a damper on a trip, which is why campers should have a solid knowledge of how to make a safe and vibrant campfire.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:
  • Rocks Tinder Kindling Large pieces of wood Matches Bucket of water Shovel
  • Rocks
  • Tinder
  • Kindling
  • Large pieces of wood
  • Matches
  • Bucket of water
  • Shovel
Step 1
Choose an area for your campfire that is away from any trees and branches that could become involved in the fire. Clear away all debris from this spot.
Step 2
Gather the materials necessary for a good campfire, including rocks that are about 8 to 10 inches in diameter, dry grasses and leaves, tiny dry twigs, 1- to 2-inch-long sticks, and larger pieces of wood.
Step 3
Place the rocks in a circle that is about 3 feet across. Stack the rest of the materials close by in piles sorted according to what they are.
Step 4
Place the smaller materials, referred to as tinder, loosely in a bunch in the middle of your rocks, and light them with a match. Dispose of the match in this pile to be sure it cannot accidentally start a fire outside the ring.
Step 5
Add the 1- to 2-inch dry twigs known as kindling onto this smaller pile of tinder as the tinder begins to burn. Put these twigs on the tinder in a teepee formation to avoid crushing the fire and to allow air to still get under the fire to keep it going.
Step 6
Lean the larger pieces of wood onto the fire as it increases in intensity. Avoid placing too many of these larger pieces on the fire until it is roaring.

Tips & Warnings

 
Lint from your drier at home can be brought along on a camping trip and used as tinder to start the campfire. Wood that has just been cut and green wood will not burn well in a campfire.
 
Lint from your drier at home can be brought along on a camping trip and used as tinder to start the campfire.
 
Wood that has just been cut and green wood will not burn well in a campfire.
 
The use of any flammable fluids or materials to start a campfire is dangerous and should never be an option. Always have a bucket of water nearby your fire along with a shovel if the fire must be brought quickly under control.
 
The use of any flammable fluids or materials to start a campfire is dangerous and should never be an option.
 
Always have a bucket of water nearby your fire along with a shovel if the fire must be brought quickly under control.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

Write for Trails.com

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