With that said, the task of building a fire can be done many different ways. However, here are a few camping tips to keep in mind.

1. Location: Find an open location of at least a 6 yard radius of open space. (Almost all camping sites should be able to accommodate this size). It is also a good idea to avoid areas where there are a lot of dead, over-hanging branches. If it has recently been raining or there is snow on the trees, put a tarp above the fire. This is to protect the fire from being put out by any falling snow or rain when the wind blows.

2. Size: Clear out the underbrush surrounding the fire for a good 3 yard radius. This is done to prevent a brush fire from occurring. If the campsite has been undergoing a drought or has been particularly dry, extend this radius out to 5 yards.

3. Containment: Fires are usually contained by making a pit lined with rocks or using a backlog. A back log is a large log that the fire is placed against. These containments are used to keep the fire enclosed. For most camping sites, either containment can be used. However, a pit lined with rocks is a better option in the mountains where a strong wind can blow out the fire.

4. Firewood: Before starting the fire, it is wise to have your firewood ready to go. This keeps you from having to go hunting for firewood while getting the fire initially going. There are three types of firewood that you want ready.

a. Shavings or tender: These are the strips cut off of dead wood by your knife. Also, dried grass and cotton can be used as tender.

b. Kindling: This includes twigs and pine needles. These can be pulled off of dead trees and burn a little longer than shavings.

c. Various sizes of dead wood: These should be put on the fire in increasing size until you find the appropriate size fire you are looking for.

5. Starting Fire: I recommend creating a small teepee with the shavings and light the shavings. As the fire starts going, you should add the kindling and then add the various sizes of dead wood.

a. One caveat: if the dead wood is wet, split the wood with an axe. The inside wood tends to be drier and will allow it to burn more easily.

6. Choice of Woods: This is usually dictated by your camping site; however, it is a good idea to know your woods.

a. Softwoods, such as pine, firs, and cedar, are good for shavings and burn quickly. However, they tend not to give off much heat or last very long. Also, cedar and pine can get very smoky and should be avoided when cooking.

b. Medium Hardwoods, such as maple, aspen, and cottonwood, are better at burning a little longer and are good kindling.

c. Hardwoods, such as oak, burn the longest and provide the most heat. This makes them the best for cooking.

7. Firewood Supply: You can never have enough firewood. Once you get the fire going, make periodic trips to get more wood. Always make a point to get more than you think you will need.

8. Dry Wood: For morning fires, it is a good idea to bring firewood into the tent during the previous night. This will help prevent morning dew or rain during the night to delay the starting of the morning fire.

9. Other Fire Building Tent Camping Tips:

a. Live wood can be used to setup your cooking area. Live wood is less likely to burn and thus can be used to make pot hooks to hold pots, stakes to hold frying pans over the fire, and can even be used to make an overhang for the fire by chopping out two Y pieces that have another straight crosspiece placed across the notches of the two Y pieces.

b. Morning coals: If the weather conditions are appropriate, it is a good idea to have a big evening fire with hardwoods. Often times, you will still have coals in the morning that can be used to start the fire.

1. Test it in the Yard

You don’t want to find out that the roof leaks when you are two days away from the nearest road and a freezing rain is falling. Set it up in the yard and inspect it if you haven’t used the tent yet, or if has been stored for a long time. Turn on the hose and test it for leaks.

2. Choose Your Campsite Carefully

Camping on rocks or hard dirt with roots projecting upwards is not only uncomfortable, but also wears out the tent bottom fast. Sleeping on the slightest slope will result in you sliding into your camp mate or into a wall of nylon that may be wet with condensation. Find the most level spot you can, look to see that water will not pool there if it rains, and remove rocks and sticks.

3. Set it Tight

If the outer rain fly touches the tent roof or walls, condensation can drip through onto you. Be sure that you tighten all the lines when setting up – especially those on the rain fly. This also prevents the material from flapping in the wind so much, so you’ll sleep better.

4. Keep it Light

Your shelter is often the heaviest thing you’ll have with you when backpacking. There are several ways to cut the weight if you want to travel lighter. You can give up tent camping in favor of using a tarp or bivy sack, for example. You could also buy a lighter tent. But if you really prefer tent camping, and want to keep it cheap as well, you can still lighten the load using the following tips.

First, leave behind some of the tent stakes. Bring just six, for example, for the corners and end lines, and then use sticks you gather on-site for the less-crucial lines and other stake-out points. You can also tie off the lines to rocks or trees.

Second, you can leave behind the ground cloth. Some backpackers use heavy ground clothes to save the bottom of their tents, but there are two problems with this. The extra weight has to be carried every time you’re out, and if not placed properly, they can catch rain water and let it pool under you.  I prefer to go light and just let the bottom of the tent wear out a little faster.

Third, you might find a large nylon tarp that weighs less than your rain fly. If you are in an area that will have trees to tie it too, bring that. You may save a few ounces, and you might even have it extend out far enough in front to provide a “porch” of sorts.

A Few More Tent Camping Tips

Have repair materials with you, which should at least include a bit of duct tape. Be sure you know how to set up the tent before you hit the trail. Be sure the tent is large enough for the two or three of you that will be in it. Bring a small piece of plastic for a front door mat, and you won’t have to step out into the mud.