Are you wondering how much firewood do I need for camping? I used to always be worried about bringing the right amount of firewood on a camping trip until I learned these tricks for getting it right every time. Let’s dive straight into this fireside chat.
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How Much Firewood is needed for Camping
The amount of wood you need for your campfire varies based on your needs. The average campers will use 10 to 25 logs of firewood every day they are camping. The weather, how many people you are with, and your cooking plans will all change the amount of firewood you use. Always plan for more than what you think you will need.
Here’s how long that firewood is going to last
Do you know how long a bundle of firewood will burn for?
Each bundle of firewood is going to burn for roughly two hours. You can use this to figure out how much firewood you’re going to need for your entire camping trip. If you expect to keep a fire going for 8 hours, that means you’re going to need 4 bundles of firewood.
However, this leads us to one of the most important rules I’ve ever been taught about firewood in camping.
Always get more than you think
Outside of fire safety, one of the most important things you can learn is to always buy more firewood than you think you’ll need. Having an extra bundle or two is a great way to ensure that you never get stuck in the cold or unable to cook dinner.
Firewood to keep you warm
We’ve already established that firewood can last you 2 hours per bundle. However, what this does is let us know how much firewood we’re going to need based on the weather.
If you’re expecting to go camping during a chilly autumn day, or even during the winter, you can expect to keep your campfire going throughout the day.
This means that you might need 6 bundles of firewood to keep your campfire going for 12 hours. If you expect to be gone from your campsite for half of the day, you might only need three or four bundles.
One piece of camping advice I’ve always held dear is that you need to respect nature. Take extra firewood with you if you’re camping during a colder season. You never know when the weather can take a turn and you always want more ability to generate heat than you need.
You’d be surprised at how much you’ll need on a hot day
Don’t let the hot weather for you, you might wind up needing just as much firewood for a hot day.
Well, not nearly as much, but still more than you might think. Hot weather typically causes campers to be out later into the night and firewood does more than just heat things up. Your campfire will also keep things illuminated while you and your party are out into those late hours sharing stories and talking over a campfire.
Cooking on a campfire needs fuel
Heat and light aren’t the only two of the things that a campfire can do. You’re also going to need that campfire to do some cooking.
The math for how much firewood you need is almost the same for cooking. It’s still 2 hours per bundle, but you might use just a little bit more than that. Cooking typically requires a higher heat than just a slowly burning fire. This means that you might need more firewood to get the temperature up to safely cook food.
Campfire size matters
The answer to “how much firewood do I need for camping” is actually all about size.
A single bundle of firewood can last for up to two hours. If you’re looking to have a roaring campfire that a large party of people can gather around, you’re going to need more firewood than that.
Most campsites restrict the size of the fire that you can build. This is a clear and obvious safety measure designed to prevent wildfires. However, you can still get a good blaze going at most campsites across the country.
You’re going to need more firewood for your campfire if you plan on sustaining a nice hardy flame throughout the day.
How many people are camping with you?
This might seem like an obvious question to ask yourself before you buy firewood, but it has some surprising applications.
More people means more firewood. This is about more than just numbers. There are more people who are going to want to cook, talk around a campfire, or just enjoy throwing a few logs onto the flame.
I recommend grabbing an extra bundle or two if you have a large camping party. That will ensure that you not only have enough firewood for the amount of time you expect the fire to be lit, but that you also have some extra set aside for when people want to get a fire going.
You never know when someone is going to want to roast some marshmallows!
Camping Firewood FAQ
Gathering around the campfire is all about sharing stories. I’m all out of fireside yarns to spin, but I do have answers to campfire-related questions!
How Can I Get Cheap Firewood For Camping?
You can get the most affordable wood for camping at your campsite. They almost always sell firewood for a reasonable price. It might be a little more than your local hardware store, but it gives you convenience for those extra few dollars.
What Is A Bundle Of Firewood Called?
Firewood bundles come in three sizes: cords, face cords, and bundles. A cord is huge and measures 128 cubic feet while a half cord, also called a rick, is half that size. You’re probably going to encounter bundles which measure .75 cubic feet and weigh around 25 pounds. Bundles of firewood typically come in convenient and easy to carry plastic nets.
Do Campsites Allow You To Bring Your Own Firewood?
Campsites rarely allow visitors to bring their own firewood. Firewood can transport invasive insects that can cause serious damage to the local plant life. You can even face fines for bringing in outside firewood. Always call the campsite ahead of time and ask them about their firewood policies.
Final Thoughts On Firewood For Camping
After years of camping, I finally figured out how much firewood do I need for camping. It’s always slightly more than I expect. There’s nothing quite like gathering around a roaring fire and creating some powerful memories. I hope this guide will keep your campfires going!
Check out our other articles for more camping tips and tricks!
