Few things say “camping” like the warm glow of a campfire. It’s where stories are shared, s’mores are made, and lifelong memories are kindled. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting your RV journey, knowing how to safely build, light, and extinguish a fire is an essential outdoor skill. In this blog, we’ll walk you through different campfire styles, methods for lighting them, critical safety tips, and even share a couple of classic campfire tales—one to make you laugh and one that might give you goosebumps.
So grab a marshmallow (or two), pull up your camp chair, and let’s dive into the world of campfires.
🔥 Campfire Styles: Choosing the Right Fire for the Right Moment
Campfires aren’t one-size-fits-all. The way you stack your wood depends on what you’re trying to achieve—cooking, warmth, ambiance, or storytelling. Here are the top campfire styles every camper should know:
1. Teepee Fire
- Best for: Quick warmth and easy lighting
- How to build: Stack small kindling and sticks in a cone shape, like a teepee. Leave space in the center for tinder (dry leaves, paper, or cotton balls). Light from the center.
- Pros: Burns hot and fast, ideal for beginners
- Cons: Burns quickly and needs to be maintained
2. Log Cabin Fire
- Best for: Long-lasting fires and even cooking
- How to build: Place two larger logs parallel to each other on the ground. Stack two more logs on top, perpendicular to the bottom layer, forming a square. Build a small teepee in the center for easy ignition.
- Pros: Burns longer, great for cooking
- Cons: Takes longer to light
3. Lean-To Fire
- Best for: Windy conditions
- How to build: Push a large log into the ground at a 30-45 degree angle. Lean smaller sticks against it on the windward side, placing your tinder underneath.
- Pros: Easy to shield from wind
- Cons: Not ideal for long-term fires
4. Star Fire
- Best for: Long burns with minimal effort
- How to build: Place five or more logs like spokes of a wheel. The center is your fire point. Push the logs in as the fire burns.
- Pros: Conserves wood and requires little maintenance
- Cons: Not great for cooking or fast warmth
🔥 Campfire Starters: Lighting the Flame
You’ve got the wood and the design—now let’s light it up. Here are a few popular ways to start your fire:
🔹 Traditional Match and Tinder
- Use dry tinder such as leaves, newspaper, dryer lint, or cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly.
- Light the tinder with a match or lighter and let it ignite your kindling.
🔹 Firestarter Cubes or Bricks
- These are store-bought, compact, and waterproof.
- Place one under your wood structure and light with a match or lighter.
🔹 Magnesium Fire Starter
- Great for survivalists or when matches are wet.
- Scrape magnesium shavings onto tinder, then spark with the included flint striker.
🔹 Char Cloth or Steel Wool and Battery
- Touch a 9-volt battery to steel wool or char cloth; the reaction ignites the tinder.
- Fun to try but use caution!
🔹 DIY Fire Starters
- Egg cartons filled with sawdust and wax, or cotton rounds dipped in candle wax make excellent homemade options.
💧 Extinguishing Your Campfire: Safety First
Campfire safety is crucial. A single smoldering ember can ignite wildfires. Here’s the correct way to put your fire out:
- Let it burn down to ash: Stop adding wood well before bedtime or leaving your site.
- Drown it: Pour water slowly over the fire, stirring with a stick to ensure all embers are wet.
- Stir and repeat: Mix ashes and remaining wood with soil or sand, then add more water.
- Check for heat: Hold the back of your hand close to the ashes—if you feel warmth, it’s not out.
Never leave a campfire unattended and never bury a fire—it can smolder and reignite.
🏕️ A Fun Campfire Story: “The Marshmallow Incident”
Once upon a campout, a family was making s’mores under the stars. Little Joey was determined to roast the perfect golden marshmallow. He hovered it just over the flames with the patience of a monk. But his sister, ever the firebug, plunged her marshmallow right into the flames. It burst into a fireball.
“Look!” she shrieked, waving it around. Joey ducked just in time to avoid the flying sugar torch.
The marshmallow rocketed off the stick, flew through the air, and—splat!—landed square on Dad’s forehead.
For the rest of the trip, he was known as “Flameface.”
👻 A Scary Campfire Story: “The Echo in the Woods”
There’s a tale campers tell about a couple who parked their RV deep in a remote forest. No cell service. No other campers. Just the whisper of wind through the pines.
That night, while sitting by the fire, they heard someone mimic their laughter from the woods.
Thinking it was just an echo, they laughed again—this time quieter.
The echo laughed louder.
The man grabbed a flashlight and scanned the treeline. Nothing.
But as they packed up to go inside, the woman swore she saw someone crouching near the fire ring—smiling.
They doused the fire and locked themselves in.
The next morning, there were bare footprints all around their RV—and the words “WANT TO PLAY?” written in ash on the picnic table.
Needless to say, they haven’t gone boondocking since.
🛻 All Valley RV Center: 20 Years of Camping, Family, and Firelight
At All Valley RV Center, we know the magic that begins when the sun sets and the fire crackles to life. For 20 years, we’ve been helping families like yours unplug from the everyday and reconnect around the campfire.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re offering once-in-a-lifetime savings on new and used RVs, trade-in bonuses, accessory discounts, and more! Whether you’re a weekend warrior or planning that bucket list road trip, now is the perfect time to find the RV of your dreams.
🟢 Massive inventory of bunkhouse and couple’s coaches
🟢 Top-notch customer service from experienced RV enthusiasts
🟢 One-year roadside assistance with 24/7 tech support included
🟢 Free walkthroughs to make sure you’re campfire-ready
Come visit us in person or browse online at www.allvalleyrvcenter.com.
🔥 Unplug. Reset. Reconnect. The Campfire Awaits.
Whether you’re gathered around a fire with marshmallows in hand or whispering spooky tales under the stars, one thing’s for sure—campfires bring people together. Let All Valley RV Center help you get there.
Because the best stories are written in firelight.
