How to Build a Campfire: Step by Step
Learn how to build a campfire with our beginner-friendly guide. Discover essential tips, safety advice, and step-by-step instructions for a successful fire.
Gathering by a cozy, crackling fire is one of the joys of camping. It's a place for sharing stories and making friends under the stars. This guide will show you the basics of making a campfire using the log cabin method, including picking the best spot, finding the right materials, lighting the fire confidently, and keeping it going safely. Whether you want to cook, stay warm, or just enjoy the fire, learning how to build a campfire is a must-have outdoor skill.
What to Bring
Lighter / Matches
Fire Poker / Fire Pit Tongs
Tinder
Kindling
Firewood
Water jug
Note: Many campgrounds have firewood for camping available for purchase.
Designated fire pit at a campsite to build campfire safely and responsibly
1. Choose a Safe Location
Before you begin, confirm that there are no fire bans in place, ensure you have a bucket of water nearby, and use the designated campfire pit. Ensure the fire pit is clear of debris and at a safe distance from low-hanging branches, dry grass, or any flammable materials.
Piece of wood laid in the designated fire pit
2. Assemble the Floor
Place two pieces of firewood parallel to each other about a foot apart. Alternatively, you can add a third log to give it a studier base and help burn longer.
Additional logs layered on top of each other in the designated fire pit
3. Add Wood
Add two more logs of wood perpendicular to the logs that are already in the campfire, and repeat if you want an additional layer.
Logs added to the fire pit
Add tinder to the inside of the cabin shape. Tinder can be dry paper, cardboard, or twigs found on the ground. Hold off pulling branches from living trees will harm the tree and will actually make your campfire harder to start because live wood contains a lot of moisture.
Tinder added to the campfire
4. Add Tinder
Place tinder inside the log cabin. Tinder can be dry paper, cardboard, or twigs found on the ground. Don’t pull branches from living trees as it will harm the tree and the moisture from a living tree will make your campfire more difficult to start.
Tinder added to the campfire
5. Add Kindling
Place kindling inside the log cabin. Kindling are thinner pieces of wood that can be purchased with the firewood or you can manually peel pieces of wood off the firewood. Kindling is important because it transfers heat from the tinder to the bigger logs more effectively.
Camper lighting campfire with a lighter
6. Light the Tinder
Use a lighter or matches to light the campfire from the bottom. The log cabin campfire allows air to flow easily.
Campfire built in the designated firepit at the campsite
