Campfires are at the core of any camping experience. They provide warmth, light and delectable foods – it is therefore imperative that campers learn proper etiquette in order to protect themselves against potential safety risks.
Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher in close proximity for emergency purposes to extinguish any small flames from spreading further.
1. Sit around the fire
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as gathering around a campfire on a cool night, basking in its warmth and listening to its distinct crackling noise. Some studies have even proven sitting next to a campfire can actually lower blood pressure! But first you have to make sure that everything is in place before relaxing by following this RV prep in seven steps.
When building a campfire, it’s essential to take the proper safety precautions. Make sure your tent and gear are at least 15 feet away from the fire pit and stay aware of wind conditions. Also avoid bringing wood from outside your campground as this could introduce pests or invasive species into the campground area.
Start a hotter campfire by selecting dry, seasoned wood to ensure it burns cleanly and forms an optimal bed of coal for cooking. A teepee design firepit also ensures greater efficiency during its combustion.
2. Roast corn on the cob
Do not sacrifice grilled corn when camping – instead use this foolproof method of making delicious summery corn throughout the year with foil packaging to keep in moisture and achieve that perfect char! Make the switch now to enjoy sweet summer corn at any time of year!
Add corn that’s still in its husk directly onto an oven rack, and roast for 30 minutes, brushing with melted butter as it cooks to add flavor and help increase charring.
This method provides a great way to create campfire foods without creating smoke-filled air pollution and ruining outdoor (or indoor) camping experiences for campers who may be sensitive to heavy smoke or have medical conditions that react adversely to it.
3. Roast potatoes
Roasting potatoes over the campfire is one of the most beloved campfire activities. Not only is this easy side dish delicious and versatile; there are endless topping possibilities!
As with any dish, making this meal requires adhering to certain rules. For instance, it is imperative that no trash be burned in a campfire – this not only poses serious health hazards but can also release carcinogenic compounds into the air. When lighting your campfire it should only contain clean and fresh wood that has been stored under a tarp when not being used.
Additionally, before retiring for the night it is essential that your campfire has been put out completely – this means ensuring all coals have been thoroughly burnt down to white ash and spread out so there are no hot glowing coals left. Finally, water your campfire regularly during its lifecycle to maintain optimal results.
4. Make grilled cheese sandwiches
Nothing beats the warm glow and crackle of flames dancing around a campfire for creating memorable evenings spent reading or telling scary tales around it. A campfire provides an idyllic environment to make lasting memories together.
If a burn ban prohibits an open fire, there are still ways you can enjoy camping without an open flame. A camping grill could be one option; just make sure that it does not create flames or smoke which could ignite dry leaves and other flammable materials nearby.
Notably, it takes plenty of water to put out a campfire properly. Be sure to pour enough water over your fire pit until all wood, embers, and ashes have been thoroughly saturated by pouring a steady stream. This can help avoid wildfires while protecting you and your RV from further damage.
5. Make s’mores
No campfire would be complete without its signature treat – the classic S’more! But why stop there? Why not elevate this dessert further with different ingredients and creating unique variations?
Create a cookie butter s’more by spreading a layer of your favorite cookie butter onto a graham cracker, topping it off with a roasted marshmallow, and chocolate. Or add strawberry slices for an innovative take on classic combinations of graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallow!
When inviting children to your campfire, purchase some telescoping marshmallow roasting sticks that are easy for them to use without getting stuck in the fire. We particularly like Jolly Green’s, as they come in an affordable bag and even collapse to fit easily into backpacks!
6. Have a sing-along
Song can be an entertaining way to pass time around the campfire and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is one of the classic campfire songs everyone knows and appreciates. It has become the unofficial state anthem of West Virginia and small-town rural America alike!
House of the Rising Sun is another timeless campfire song with an easy-to-remember melody, making it great for camping trips and campfire singalongs alike. Children as well as adults alike will find joy singing along to it!
Heads Up is another fun campfire game designed to build relationships and get to know one another better. Simply pick a letter in one category, say something beginning with that letter, and the person who guesses correctly wins! Heads Up provides great entertainment while keeping conversation flowing while laughing at what might come next!
7. Have a game of charades
There’s nothing quite as delightful and entertaining as gathering around a campfire for an interactive game of charades – perfect for all ages and stages of life!
Two Truths and a Lie is another fun camp game designed to get campers acquainted. In it, each participant shares three ‘facts’ about themselves – two are true while one lies – before challenging other players to guess the lie that was told about themselves.
Or you could play the classic game of limbo by placing a stick in the ground and lining up to go “lower than low” under it. You could even keep score, competing to see who can go lower! Just be sure not to get too close to any fire – remembering that Smokey Bear would frown upon chopping up trees and branches just so your campfire can burn!
8. Have a scavenger hunt
There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as sitting around a crackling campfire and basking in its warmth and light. Savoring delicious flame-cooked meals while telling stories or gazing upon stars above is a time honored camping ritual that only gets better with age!
Fire can be one of the most hazardous parts of camping if it is not managed appropriately and could pose significant threats to campsites, wildlife and property if left unsupervised.
Follow Smokey Bear’s tips to ensure that your campfire does not have any lasting negative environmental impact, burning wood to ash before leaving the site. It is also essential to consider wind and weather conditions when building your fire, to prevent gusts of air from damaging tents or belongings.
9. Have a dance party
Nothing can beat sitting around a campfire with friends and family – enjoying its dancing flames, listening to music and telling tales is one of the highlights of camping trips!
When using a portable fire pit, make sure there is water and a shovel within reach. Always respect campground burn bans and never leave an unattended fire unattended.
Another fun way to kill time at your campsite is playing musical chairs or hot potato. Other campfire games you could consider including charades, truth or dare and two truths and a lie can also add hours of entertainment. Be mindful of any campground quiet hours; now is also an ideal opportunity to try your hand at some campsite crafts or toss fire colorant bags into the flames to prolong its glow!
10. Have a movie night
An indispensable camping treat, roasted marshmallows are often allowed by campground fire safety rules – usually available through their website, ranger station, or message boards around the grounds.
Avoid burning trash like plastic bags and food. This practice is unsafe and improper and could harm the air quality you and other campers breathe, especially those with respiratory sensitivities or allergies.
Cutting branches or trees to build a campfire should also be avoided, as this disrupts natural habitat and may force wildlife away. Furthermore, fire safety experts advise to always put out your campfire completely before sleeping by pouring water over its coals until all wood and ash have been saturated by water, before spreading out and cooling down your fire before going to bed.
