Do you think campfires are a necessary part of camping?

AnnPT77

I've done a good bit of backwoods canoe camping over the years.

A campfire can be lovely, if conditions are safe, and there's a responsible source of fuel.

But I can turn out a decent meal on a tiny backpacking stove when necessary, no problem. In fact, for most actual cooking - not just keeping a pot of water hot, making s'mores, grilling meat/fish - the stove is superior.

And the better temperature control makes baking in the backpacker "oven" easier to get right. Fresh scones, anyone?

cwolfman13

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been an avid camper for much of my life and while not a necessity, a campfire is nice to have. When my wife and I did more backpacking and back country camping, it really was just dependent on if we were in an area where we could find fuel as well as the weather conditions...we start getting monsoon thunderstorms here in July and they run through September, so it can be hard to find dry fuel when in the back country.

These days with kids, we're in a travel trailer either in a designated forest service campground or boondocking off one of the many forest roads. Unless we are under a no burn, we have a fire and I usually bring my own wood.

We usually get it going in the early evening before dark and enjoy some beers or cocktails and then dinner. We get the kids to bed at dark and then throw another log or so on and have another couple beers while the fire slowly dies down...once it's down we spend a good 30 minutes or so just watching the stars, though sometimes the canopy is such that we can't see much.

We keep our fires relatively small...I've had friends camp with us and start throwing on a bunch of logs and it irritates me because the fire is just too big...don't need 8 ft flames...

They let you bring in your own wood? Everywhere I have ever camped, this is a HUGE no-no. There is so much concern about bringing in bugs/disease from other places that I always see signs forbidding this.

Only when I'm camping in the area where my wood is sourced which is most of the time. We usually camp in the Jemez Mountains here locally which is about 45 minutes away from my front door and where my wood is sourced.

SuzySunshine99

cwolfman13 wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been an avid camper for much of my life and while not a necessity, a campfire is nice to have. When my wife and I did more backpacking and back country camping, it really was just dependent on if we were in an area where we could find fuel as well as the weather conditions...we start getting monsoon thunderstorms here in July and they run through September, so it can be hard to find dry fuel when in the back country.

These days with kids, we're in a travel trailer either in a designated forest service campground or boondocking off one of the many forest roads. Unless we are under a no burn, we have a fire and I usually bring my own wood.

We usually get it going in the early evening before dark and enjoy some beers or cocktails and then dinner. We get the kids to bed at dark and then throw another log or so on and have another couple beers while the fire slowly dies down...once it's down we spend a good 30 minutes or so just watching the stars, though sometimes the canopy is such that we can't see much.

We keep our fires relatively small...I've had friends camp with us and start throwing on a bunch of logs and it irritates me because the fire is just too big...don't need 8 ft flames...

They let you bring in your own wood? Everywhere I have ever camped, this is a HUGE no-no. There is so much concern about bringing in bugs/disease from other places that I always see signs forbidding this.

Only when I'm camping in the area where my wood is sourced which is most of the time. We usually camp in the Jemez Mountains here locally which is about 45 minutes away from my front door and where my wood is sourced.

That's cool then.
We are super-sensitive around here because of devastating damage from emerald ash borers.

cwolfman13

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been an avid camper for much of my life and while not a necessity, a campfire is nice to have. When my wife and I did more backpacking and back country camping, it really was just dependent on if we were in an area where we could find fuel as well as the weather conditions...we start getting monsoon thunderstorms here in July and they run through September, so it can be hard to find dry fuel when in the back country.

These days with kids, we're in a travel trailer either in a designated forest service campground or boondocking off one of the many forest roads. Unless we are under a no burn, we have a fire and I usually bring my own wood.

We usually get it going in the early evening before dark and enjoy some beers or cocktails and then dinner. We get the kids to bed at dark and then throw another log or so on and have another couple beers while the fire slowly dies down...once it's down we spend a good 30 minutes or so just watching the stars, though sometimes the canopy is such that we can't see much.

We keep our fires relatively small...I've had friends camp with us and start throwing on a bunch of logs and it irritates me because the fire is just too big...don't need 8 ft flames...

They let you bring in your own wood? Everywhere I have ever camped, this is a HUGE no-no. There is so much concern about bringing in bugs/disease from other places that I always see signs forbidding this.

Only when I'm camping in the area where my wood is sourced which is most of the time. We usually camp in the Jemez Mountains here locally which is about 45 minutes away from my front door and where my wood is sourced.

That's cool then.
We are super-sensitive around here because of devastating damage from emerald ash borers.

I've never been asked either and I've been chatting with a forest ranger while unloading before...I guess if they asked I would just pull out my cutting permit to show where I cut it. Honestly, I've only ever seen those signs when I'm camping out of state, but I understand it's an issue.

I wonder if they post signs here in areas that are more likely to be visited by folks from out of state...the Jemez is pretty off the beaten track...

NorthCascades

Speaking of sensitive...

In one of my favorite areas right now, the Diamond Creek Campfire is burning 10,000 acres. It'll go on until the snow puts it out. This is about 10 miles from the nearest road, so it was a capable hiker or group, presumably with some experience, who was responsible. It hadn't rained for two months before this, obvious fire weather. I don't know how that happens.

This is what a lot of the area looks like. It's actually a lovely place to hike, long after the fact. Give it ten years, the trees silver up nicely, the forest floor becomes a wildflower garden now that the sun penetrates to the ground. There are a lot of plant and animal species that won't be found in an established forest. You look at it and think devastation, but the place is teeming with life.

(Not saying we should set more fires. The air is brown with smoke.)

youngmomtaz

Always! And I would go so far to say that for me it is weather dependant. We have a campfire in our backyard 1-2 times a week during the summer even when not camping. It is the oddest feeling when we travel during the winter to a hot destination and when evening hits everyone goes inside. A campfire is our form of entertainment and facilitates great conversation in our group. It may be that we are just so deprived of moderate/warm weather in Manitoba that we do our best to spend a lot of time outside in the summer, or it may just be something we continued with from our childhood.

Bored? Have a campfire. Kids are driving you nuts? Go teach them to build a fire and then draw shapes in the air with your glowing stick. Hungry? Baked apples in foil or popcorn over the fire it is.

Tacklewasher

I don't do much backwoods camping anymore, but did when I was younger. I love a fire but have just gotten used to not being allowed to have one. I'm in the Interior of BC and it is usually banned during the summer months. I have a propane fire pit and, while it isn't a campfire, it will do for smores and smokies.

It is so bad here for smoke right now that I won't ride my bike to work.

Monkey_Business

I have been camping all over the world. The only time I have been camping without a campfire was when I was in the Army. We did not call it camping though. Having loaded weapons and making things go boom did make up for the lack of a campfire.

Now, if fire warnings are in place, I cancel the camping trip and just will do day trips.

sgt1372

I have camped and backpacked often in the past. While campfires have nostalgic appeal, they are wasteful and potentially hazardous.

I have built campfires at public campgrounds in the past but I've never built a campfire while backpacking, where the philosophy is to leave no sign or trace of your presence on the land.

I personally believe that this should be the same philosophy in camping as well. However, I know that few people (at least in America) share this POV which is one of the reasons why I seldom frequent public campgrounds any more.

Sunna_W

We have a portable Coleman campfire pit that folds up and stores in its own bag. It makes a decent fire for cooking and has a screen cover and a grate for cooking. We use it a lot.

Motorsheen

yes.

jennybearlv

As someone whose house nearly burned down in a wildfire last month my answer is no.

Tacklewasher

jennybearlv wrote: »

As someone whose house nearly burned down in a wildfire last month my answer is no.

Roughly 40% of the record number of fires burning in BC are human caused. No breakdown between tossed cigarettes or campfires left unattended, but I know some folks got substantial fines for ignoring the campfire ban here recently.

If a campfire ban is in place, there is no place for a campfire.

T1DCarnivoreRunner

I prefer backcountry camping, so the question as to location is moot - since it has been many years since I have camped in the frontcountry.

Rarely do I make a fire. If I'm with others who want to, then perhaps we will, but almost never when on my own. The reason to make a fire is if there is some need / benefit to doing so. Last time, it was to manage a mosquito situation of the worst level I've ever seen (they were large and numbered in the hundreds per cubic foot - I couldn't believe how bad they were). In a case of hypothermia, that would be a good reason to build a fire. I don't do it just for fun (except with a group who wants a fire to gather around).

Edit: Actually, no... I spent 2 nights in the frontcountry before my last backpacking trip. Cheaper than a hotel and I did a half marathon the day before hiking, so car camped the night before and the night after the race. Despite that there was a fire ring, I did not build a campfire. Just like I did not in the backcountry (it would not have been permitted anyway where I was camping in the backcountry.

ritzvin

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been an avid camper for much of my life and while not a necessity, a campfire is nice to have. When my wife and I did more backpacking and back country camping, it really was just dependent on if we were in an area where we could find fuel as well as the weather conditions...we start getting monsoon thunderstorms here in July and they run through September, so it can be hard to find dry fuel when in the back country.

These days with kids, we're in a travel trailer either in a designated forest service campground or boondocking off one of the many forest roads. Unless we are under a no burn, we have a fire and I usually bring my own wood.

We usually get it going in the early evening before dark and enjoy some beers or cocktails and then dinner. We get the kids to bed at dark and then throw another log or so on and have another couple beers while the fire slowly dies down...once it's down we spend a good 30 minutes or so just watching the stars, though sometimes the canopy is such that we can't see much.

We keep our fires relatively small...I've had friends camp with us and start throwing on a bunch of logs and it irritates me because the fire is just too big...don't need 8 ft flames...

They let you bring in your own wood? Everywhere I have ever camped, this is a HUGE no-no. There is so much concern about bringing in bugs/disease from other places that I always see signs forbidding this.

Some places allow kiln-dried &/or from within a certain distance radius.

earlnabby

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

I usually prefer without a fire. You can't see many stars from the middle of a big city, so the night sky is a treat for me. When I camp, I can see the Milky Way. The Perseid meteor shower is going to peak this weekend. A campfire distracts from all of this. Also, the best camps here are at high enough altitude that trees are scarce and fires are prohibited.

BTW, I'm heading to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota next week for a canoe trip....I'm hoping to still catch some of the Perseid meteor shower.

Have fun. I have only been in the Boundary Waters in the middle of winter . . . easier to get across the lakes when you have 8 dogs pulling your sled (easier to get the sled across the portages too). Love it up there, especially when the wolves get howling.

earlnabby

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I've done a good bit of backwoods canoe camping over the years.

A campfire can be lovely, if conditions are safe, and there's a responsible source of fuel.

But I can turn out a decent meal on a tiny backpacking stove when necessary, no problem. In fact, for most actual cooking - not just keeping a pot of water hot, making s'mores, grilling meat/fish - the stove is superior.

And the better temperature control makes baking in the backpacker "oven" easier to get right. Fresh scones, anyone?

I don't know . . . your scones sound good but I am known for my quiche, chocolate cakes, and sourdough bread cooked in a Dutch oven in campfire coals.

All kidding aside, I usually have campfires when car camping but almost never when backpacking.

ladyhusker39

I'd say yes they're necessary if only for the roasted marshmallows.

CSARdiver

Necessity? No.

It's a nice luxury given the scenario, but like all things, there is a distinct proper place and time for one. I rarely lit one backpacking and opt for my micro stove instead. With a little ingenuity you can make some phenomenal meals with only one pot.

You have to be wary of local rules and regulations, so check with the ranger station prior to venturing out. You can also check weather to ensure the area is not too dry and risk an out of control fire.

cwolfman13

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been an avid camper for much of my life and while not a necessity, a campfire is nice to have. When my wife and I did more backpacking and back country camping, it really was just dependent on if we were in an area where we could find fuel as well as the weather conditions...we start getting monsoon thunderstorms here in July and they run through September, so it can be hard to find dry fuel when in the back country.

These days with kids, we're in a travel trailer either in a designated forest service campground or boondocking off one of the many forest roads. Unless we are under a no burn, we have a fire and I usually bring my own wood.

We usually get it going in the early evening before dark and enjoy some beers or cocktails and then dinner. We get the kids to bed at dark and then throw another log or so on and have another couple beers while the fire slowly dies down...once it's down we spend a good 30 minutes or so just watching the stars, though sometimes the canopy is such that we can't see much.

We keep our fires relatively small...I've had friends camp with us and start throwing on a bunch of logs and it irritates me because the fire is just too big...don't need 8 ft flames...

They let you bring in your own wood? Everywhere I have ever camped, this is a HUGE no-no. There is so much concern about bringing in bugs/disease from other places that I always see signs forbidding this.

Only when I'm camping in the area where my wood is sourced which is most of the time. We usually camp in the Jemez Mountains here locally which is about 45 minutes away from my front door and where my wood is sourced.

That's cool then.
We are super-sensitive around here because of devastating damage from emerald ash borers.

I actually looked further into this out of curiosity. It is permissible to move firewood throughout the state of NM so long is it was sourced within the state with the exception of wood originating in Dona Ana County which is under quarantine.

It is not permissible to move firewood sourced in NM to other states (which I knew) and vice versa (which I assumed).

We primarily camp in the Jemez mountains locally (which is where I source my wood) or a bit further north in Carson National Forest. We occasionally camp in Southern Co and have never taken wood and it's nice that every campground we've been to there has it for sale (for whatever reason, that doesn't seem to happen around here). We also camped at the Grand Canyon a few years back and same deal...