Figuring out how much firewood do i need camping is one of those classic trip-planning questions. Get it right, and you have cozy evenings and perfect meals. Get it wrong, and you’re either making extra trips to the store or sitting in the dark. This guide will give you a clear, simple system to calculate your firewood needs for any type of camping trip.
We’ll break it down by trip length, group size, and how you plan to use your fire. You’ll learn how to measure wood, choose the right type, and store it properly. Let’s make sure your next campfire is a success from the first match to the last ember.
How Much Firewood Do I Need Camping
There’s no single perfect answer, but a reliable starting point is the Bundle Rule. Most standard, store-bought bundles of firewood contain enough wood for about 2-3 hours of steady burning in a typical campfire ring. This assumes you’re building a medium-sized fire for warmth and ambiance, not a massive bonfire.
From there, you can build your estimate based on three core factors:
- Trip Duration: How many nights are you camping?
- Group Size: How many people need to stay warm?
- Fire Purpose: Is it just for evening ambiance, or will you be cooking all your meals over it?
The Basic Calculation Formula
Here’s a simple formula you can adapt. For a weekend trip (2 nights) with a small group (2-4 people) using the fire primarily for evening warmth (3-4 hours per night):
- Nights: 2
- Hours per Night: 4
- Total Burn Hours: 8 hours
- Bundles Needed (at 2.5 hrs/bundle): 8 ÷ 2.5 = 3.2 bundles
Always round up! So, you’d want to bring 4 bundles minimum. This gives you a buffer for quicker burning wood, longer nights, or the occasional marshmallow roast.
Adjusting for Cooking Over the Fire
Cooking requires a different type of fire and more fuel. You need a bed of consistent coals, which takes time and wood to create. If you plan to cook breakfast and dinner over the fire, double your initial estimate.
For that same weekend trip with cooking: 4 bundles x 2 = 8 bundles. It sounds like alot, but cooking wood goes fast. You’ll use smaller pieces for kindling, medium pieces to build heat, and larger logs to create lasting coals for simmering.
Sample Trip Estimates
Let’s look at some common scenarios:
- Solo Overnighter: 1 night, warmth only. 1-2 bundles is plenty.
- Family Weekend (4 people): 2 nights, with hot dogs one night and ambiance. 5-6 bundles.
- Group Trip (6 people): 3 nights, cooking all meals. This could require 15-18 bundles, or consider a half-face cord.
Understanding Wood Measurements
When you move beyond store bundles, you’ll here terms like “face cord” or “rick.” It can be confusing.
- Store Bundle: The standard. Usually held together with wire or plastic. Easy to transport but the most expensive per amount of wood.
- Face Cord (or Rick): A stack of wood 4 ft high x 8 ft long, with the length of the logs varying (usually 16″ or 24″). This is a lot of wood, suitable for a large group on a long trip or a seasonal campsite.
- Full Cord: 128 cubic feet of wood (4’x4’x8′). This is more than any recreational camper needs for a single trip.
My advice? Stick with bundles for trips under a week. If you’re hosting a big gathering, a quarter or half face cord from a local supplier is more economical.
Choosing the Right Type of Firewood
Not all wood burns the same. The species affects burn time, heat output, and sparking. Hardwoods are denser and burn hotter and longer. Softwoods ignite easier and are great for kindling but burn faster.
Best Hardwoods for Camping
- Oak: The gold standard. Burns very slow and hot, producing excellent coals for cooking. Can be harder to ignite.
- Maple: Another great choice. Good heat, pleasant smell, and readily available in many regions.
- Hickory: Burns hot and imparts a wonderful flavor if you’re cooking or smoking food.
- Ash: Easier to split and ignites relatively well for a hardwood, even when seasoned.
Softwoods to Use (and Avoid)
Softwoods like pine, fir, and cedar are fantastic for kindling. They catch flame quickly. However, they burn fast, can pop and spark excessively, and deposit more creosote in your chimney if your using a cabin fireplace.
Never bring wood from home if you’re traveling more than 50 miles. Invasive insects like the emerald ash borer can decimate forests. Always buy firewood near your campsite. It’s a critical rule for protecting our forests.
Step-by-Step: Planning Your Firewood Needs
Follow these steps before every trip to eliminate guesswork.
Step 1: Define Your Fire Goals
Ask your group: What’s the fire for? Pure warmth? Cooking? The main evening activity? Write it down. A fire for 6 people to gather around needs more wood than a small fire for two to boil water.
Step 2: Check Campsite Rules and Resources
Always check the campground website or call. Some places have fire bans during dry seasons. Others prohibit bringing outside wood. Many sell wood on-site, which is the most convenient and eco-friendly option.
Step 3: Calculate Using the Bundle Rule
Use the formula from earlier. (Nights x Hours per Night) ÷ 2.5 = Minimum Bundles. Round up. Double for cooking.
Step 4: Add a Contingency Buffer
Add one extra bundle to your final count. Weather can turn chilly, wood can be wetter than expected, or you might just want to extend the evening. It’s better to have a little left over than to run out.
Step 5: Plan for Safe Transport and Storage
Keep wood covered in your vehicle or in a waterproof tarp. At camp, store it off the ground on a tarp or a rack if possible. This keeps it dry and prevents pests from moving in.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Firewood
Making your wood last is a skill. Here’s how the pros do it.
Build a Fire for Efficiency
Start small with great kindling (like fatwood or dry pine shavings). Use the log cabin or teepee method to ensure good airflow. Gradually add larger pieces as the fire establishes. A roaring blaze is wasteful; aim for a steady, manageable fire.
Create a Good Coal Bed for Cooking
For cooking, don’t cook over tall flames. Let your fire burn down to a bed of hot, glowing coals. This provides even, consistent heat and uses less wood than constantly feeding a flaming fire. Rake coals to adjust heat zones.
Use the Right Size Pieces
Have a mix. Use hatchet or a saw to process larger logs. Kindling (pencil to thumb-sized), medium fuel (wrist-sized), and large logs (arm-sized). This lets you control the fire’s intensity without smothering it or letting it die.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced campers can slip up. Watch for these pitfalls.
- Bringing “Just One More” Bundle: That “one more” is often the difference between a relaxed night and a trip to town. Over-estimate.
- Using Unseasoned (Green) Wood: It smokes terribly, barely burns, and is frustrating. Look for wood that is grayish, has cracks on the ends, and sounds hollow when knocked together.
- Forgetting Firestarter/Kindling: Don’t assume you’ll find perfect tinder on site. Bring newspaper, dryer lint, or commercial firestarters as a backup.
- Leaving Wood Exposed to Rain: A tarp is essential. Wet wood ruins plans.
FAQ: Your Firewood Questions Answered
How much firewood per day camping?
For a typical evening campfire (3-4 hours), plan for 1.5 to 2 bundles per day for a group of 4. If you’re cooking, plan for 3-4 bundles per day.
Is it cheaper to buy firewood at the campground?
Often, yes, when you factor in convenience and the guarantee it’s local and permitted. Store bundles at gas stations are usually the most expensive option per amount of wood.
How can I tell if campfire wood is seasoned?
Seasoned wood is lighter in weight, has darkened ends with cracks or splits, and the bark is loose or falling off. It makes a “clunk” sound, not a dull thud, when two pieces are hit together.
What do I do with leftover firewood?
Offer it to neighboring campers! Many campgrounds also have a “leave your extra wood” pile for future guests. Never transport it back home across long distances due to pest risks.
How much wood for a 3 night trip?
For a group of 4 with evening-only fires: 5-7 bundles. For the same group cooking meals: 10-14 bundles. Always check the weather forecast; colder temps mean you’ll burn more.
Figuring out your firewood needs is a key part of trip prep. It ensures comfort, safety, and fun around the campfire. Start with the Bundle Rule, adjust for your specific plans, and always err on the side of bringing a little extra. With this system, you’ll spend less time worrying about fuel and more time enjoying the crackle and glow of a perfect campfire under the stars. Remember to always follow local regulations, buy wood locally, and practice Leave No Trace principles by fully extinguishing your fire until it’s cool to the touch.