How to Find Wood to Burn for Campfire

A cozy campfire is one of the highlights of any camping trip, but the key to a successful fire is finding the right wood. Not all wood is created equal, and selecting the proper type while following best practices is essential for both safety and sustainability. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you find wood to burn for your campfire.

Collecting Firewood Near Campsite

One of the easiest ways to source wood for your campfire is to gather it near your campsite. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind:

• Dead and Fallen Wood: Look for dead branches or logs that have already fallen to the ground. This ensures you are not harming living trees or disrupting the local ecosystem. Dead wood also burns more efficiently and with less smoke than green wood. 
• Dry Wood: Dry wood burns much more efficiently than wet or green wood. Check for cracks in the wood or a hollow sound when you knock on it to identify dry wood. Dry wood not only ignites quickly but also provides a longer-lasting burn, making it ideal for campfires.
• Size Matters: Gather wood in a variety of sizes — small twigs for kindling, medium-sized branches for building up the fire, and larger logs for maintaining it. Having the right mix ensures you can start and sustain the fire effectively.
• Useful Tools: Bring tools such as gloves, an axe, a saw, and a hatchet to make collecting and preparing firewood easier and safer. A saw is ideal for cutting larger logs, while a hatchet can help split wood into smaller pieces. Gloves protect your hands from splinters and rough wood surfaces.
• Leave No Trace: Avoid overharvesting wood in any one area to preserve the natural beauty and health of the environment. Spread out your collection efforts to minimize your impact on the ecosystem and leave enough resources for wildlife and future campers.

Gather the Right Types of Wood

When foraging for the right type of wood for a campfire, it’s essential to understand what burns best. Hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory, and ash are dense and burn longer, making them ideal for sustaining a fire or cooking. Softwoods such as pine, fir, cedar, and spruce burn quickly and make excellent kindling, but they produce more smoke and resin. Avoid using rotten or green wood, as wet or freshly cut wood contains too much moisture and doesn’t burn efficiently. Instead, look for seasoned wood that feels light and has cracks at the ends.

For a well-constructed fire, gather three types of materials: tinder, kindling, and fuel wood. Tinder includes items that ignite easily, such as dry grass, birch bark, or small twigs. Kindling consists of slightly larger sticks, about the width of a finger, that catch fire from the tinder. Finally, fuel wood consists of larger, dry branches or logs to sustain the fire once it’s going. When searching, check for dry branches still attached to trees, as they’re often less damp than those lying on the ground. Sheltered spots under overhangs, dense bushes, or beneath logs are great places to find dry wood, even after rain. Pine trees are especially useful since their small sticks and resin-rich bark burn very well for starting fires.

To ensure dryness, use the snap test: dry wood breaks with a clean snap, while damp wood bends or feels spongy. Dry wood also feels lighter compared to its wet counterpart. When collecting, gather a mix of tinder, kindling, and fuel wood, breaking or cutting pieces into manageable sizes for your fire setup. Be cautious to avoid toxic wood, such as that from poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac, which can release harmful fumes when burned. Additionally, stay away from treated or painted wood.

Respect for nature is important while foraging—only collect dead or fallen wood unless it’s an emergency, and avoid damaging living trees or plants. By following these steps and keeping sustainability in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to build a successful campfire.

Other Free Sources of Firewood

To get free firewood for your campfire, there are several practical approaches you can take. First, check local forests or parks, as many national forests and public lands allow the collection of dead wood for free, though you should verify the rules or permits required. Another option is to ask neighbors, friends, or local farmers if they have fallen branches, trimmed trees, or scrap wood they’d be willing to give away. Online platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace often have listings for free firewood, and you can even post a request yourself. Construction sites and sawmills are also good places to ask for untreated scrap wood or offcuts that are safe to burn.

After storms, downed trees and branches left for public cleanup can be a great source of firewood—just check with your local municipality about rules for collecting this debris. Tree service companies may also have excess wood from their work and are often happy to let you take it off their hands. Businesses that use wooden pallets may discard them, and if they’re heat-treated (marked with “HT”) and untreated chemically, they can be used as firewood. Local recycling centers or waste facilities sometimes offer processed wood or branches for free as well.

If you have access to private land, you can chop your own firewood from dead or fallen trees, ensuring you use proper tools and safety precautions. Additionally, some communities or charities, especially in rural areas, provide firewood assistance programs that you can explore. Remember to ensure the wood is untreated and pest-free, avoid transporting it far to prevent the spread of pests or diseases, and adhere to Leave No Trace principles to protect nature and respect other campers.

Types of Wood to Avoid for Firewood

When building a campfire, it’s important to choose the right kind of wood to ensure safety, reduce smoke, and avoid harmful toxins. You should avoid using treated or painted wood, such as pallets, pressure-treated lumber, or old furniture, as these often contain chemicals like arsenic or lead that release toxic fumes when burned. Freshly cut or green wood is another type to steer clear of since its high moisture content makes it hard to burn, resulting in excessive smoke and inefficient flames. Similarly, resin-rich softwoods like pine, spruce, and fir may burn quickly but produce a lot of smoke and dangerous popping sparks, which can pose a fire hazard.

Rotten or moldy wood is also a poor choice, as it burns poorly and can release unpleasant smoke or mold spores that irritate the respiratory system. Exotic or tropical woods, such as mahogany, should be avoided as they might emit unusual and potentially toxic fumes. Lastly, wood from poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, is extremely dangerous to burn because the toxic oils released can cause severe respiratory irritation or rashes. For a cleaner, safer campfire, stick to dry, seasoned hardwoods like oak, maple, or hickory. These burn efficiently, produce minimal smoke, and ensure a more enjoyable outdoor experience.

Driftwood for Campfires

Driftwood can be used for a campfire, but there are some important considerations. It is often very dry, which makes it easy to ignite and burn, and it can also be abundant along beaches and rivers, making it a convenient option for firewood. Additionally, its dryness allows it to burn hot and produce good heat. However, there are potential downsides to consider. If the driftwood has been exposed to saltwater, burning it can release harmful toxins, such as dioxins, which can be dangerous to your health, especially if you are cooking over the fire or breathing in the smoke. Driftwood can also burn unevenly or unpredictably due to trapped air pockets. Furthermore, in some areas, collecting driftwood may be prohibited to protect local ecosystems or prevent erosion, so it’s essential to check local regulations beforehand. If you decide to use driftwood, opt for pieces found near freshwater sources, as they are safer than driftwood from saltwater environments. Avoid using it for cooking and consider mixing it with other types of wood for a more stable burn.

Guidelines and Regulations Related to Collecting Wood

Collecting wood for campfires is regulated differently depending on the location, and it is important to follow these rules to ensure compliance and protect the environment. On public lands, such as national forests and parks, it is often permissible to collect dead and downed wood for personal campfires in designated areas, though some parks may require a firewood collection permit. Restrictions are common during high fire-risk seasons, so checking with park authorities is essential. In state parks and forests, rules vary, but wood collection is frequently prohibited to preserve ecosystems, and campers are encouraged to bring their own firewood. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands may allow the collection of dead wood for personal use, but local regulations and limits should be verified with the respective BLM office.

On private lands, collecting wood requires explicit permission from the landowner, as unauthorized gathering can lead to trespassing or theft charges. Additionally, transporting firewood is often regulated to prevent the spread of invasive pests like the emerald ash borer or pine beetle. Many states encourage purchasing firewood locally, within a 10-50 mile radius of the campsite, or using pest-free certified wood. Environmental considerations are also critical—only dead and downed wood should be collected, as cutting live trees or branches is prohibited and disrupts local ecosystems. It’s essential to avoid disturbing wildlife habitats, as dead wood can serve as shelter, and to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact.

Seasonal restrictions, such as fire bans during droughts or high fire-risk periods, may prohibit campfires altogether, even when using collected wood. In culturally or historically significant areas, wood collection is usually forbidden to protect archaeological sites and preserve the integrity of these locations. Violating wood collection regulations can result in fines, confiscation of collected wood, or other legal penalties. To stay compliant, campers should always check local regulations, contact land management offices or ranger stations for guidance, and use only designated fire rings or pits. It’s also important to pack out unused firewood and leave the site as undisturbed as possible. By adhering to these guidelines, campers can enjoy campfires responsibly while protecting the environment.

Purchasing Firewood

You can buy firewood for campfires from various places depending on your needs. Grocery stores often carry bundles of firewood, especially during the cooler months, and hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s are reliable options for firewood, kindling, and other fire-starting supplies. Gas stations and convenience stores, particularly those near camping areas, frequently stock firewood bundles. Garden centers or nurseries may also sell firewood, especially if they cater to outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, local firewood suppliers are a great option, and you can often find listings on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. 

If you’re heading to a campground, check if they sell firewood on-site, as this can help prevent the spread of tree pests and diseases. Having some cash might be a good idea, considering that some campgrounds may not accept credit card payments. When purchasing firewood, aim to buy locally sourced wood, as it’s better for the environment. Seasoned or dry wood is ideal for easy burning, while hardwoods like oak or hickory burn longer and hotter, and softwoods like pine ignite quickly, making them great for kindling. 

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and efficient campfire experience. Whether you’re collecting wood nearby, purchasing it, or sourcing it from free options, make sure to prioritize sustainability and safety. A little preparation goes a long way toward making your campfire a memorable centerpiece of your outdoor adventure. Take time to plan, follow regulations, and choose your wood wisely to ensure a fire that’s both enjoyable and environmentally responsible.