Whether you’re lighting up a classic campfire or heating a winter tent with a luxury tent stove, every campsite can use a stack of firewood. Unlike other camp supplies like collapsible dishes or folding chairs, firewood can take up a lot of space. How long you plan camping will largely determine how many logs you need, but even a single night outdoors can run you 1-2 log bundles. With roughly 10 logs per bundle, firewood can pile up fast at a campsite, and it can be a challenge to figure out how to get and organize it all effectively. But why is proper storage so important, and how can you achieve portable storage on a multi-day camping trip? Read on to find out!
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Where To Get Firewood for a Camping Trip
There are a few different ways to get firewood for camp. Most grocery stores and gas stations, depending on where you are, will sell bundles of firewood. You’ll also have luck at big-box retailers like Walmart and Target.
If you’d rather support local distributors and get cheaper prices, local farmers and markets will likely have bundles for sale, especially if you’re near a popular camping destination. Look for signs on the side of the road or ask locals about their go-to spot.
Some people prefer to cut and bring their own if they have the resources available to them. Not only is this the cheapest option, but it’s also the most environmentally friendly when done right. If you go this route, make sure you do it well in advance to give the wood plenty of time to dry out.
No matter where you get it, it’s best to choose seasoned hardwood for burning at camp. Seasoned wood is essentially just firewood that’s been thoroughly dried out, resulting in longer burn times and less smoke. Hardwood, like birch, maple, ash, and pine, is denser than softwood and also increases burn times, making it the ideal choice for campers.
Organizing Firewood at Camp
Once you’ve obtained your logs and arrived at camp, you’ll want to take some time to organize them. But why even bother?
Why Organizing Firewood Is Important
Just like anything you organize at camp, organizing your firewood makes it easier to access. When your logs are all in one location, dry, and ready to use, you’ll have an easier and more efficient time getting a fire started. Aside from enhanced ease and efficiency, properly organizing your firewood is imperative to keep your pile dry when camping outdoors – and dry firewood is a must for a successful fire.
Top 5 Organization Methods
When it comes to how you organize your firewood, campers have quite a few different options. Which method you choose will ultimately come down to how long you’ll be camping for and how many logs you have to store. Consider also how much effort you’re willing to put into your storage solution, as some organization methods will be more laborious than others. So without further ado, here are 5 portable ways to organize your wood at camp!
A firewood carrier
For campers only adventuring for a day and lighting a single fire, you don’t really need more than a firewood carrier to keep your logs safe. Carriers designed with waxed canvas will help keep your logs dry, but if you want to be extra cautious, place your filled carrier under a canopy to protect them from above. A firewood carrier is just enough space for a bundle of logs, plus, they’re super easy to transport to camp and around your campsite.
A wire basket or milk crate
If you need a little more space than a single log carrier but are still only camping for just a few days, a wire basket or milk crate can do the trick. These are both great options thanks to the holes throughout their sides that allow air to flow freely through your wood pile. Airflow is just one important element that keeps firewood dry, and it couldn’t be easier with this organization method. If you’re camping for multiple nights, be sure to loosely lay a tarp over the top to keep your wood protected from above.
Truck bed storage
Truck owners have built-in firewood storage thanks to their spacious truck beds. Lay a tarp down before stacking your wood to protect the bed. You can either pile up your wood right in an empty space of your truck bed or stack your logs in milk crates to keep them a bit more secure. If your truck doesn’t have a bed cover, utilize a waterproof tarp across the top to keep your wood nice and dry.
A firewood rack
If you plan to be outdoors for longer than a couple of days, consider investing in a lightweight firewood rack. While you can’t build a full-on firewood shed at a rented campsite, you can bring a temporary rack to store your wood. These will be best for campers traveling with multiple bundles of wood that need ample storage. Plus, this is a relatively low-effort method that keeps your logs safe and secure. Again, all storage solutions need some kind of cover from above, so place your rack under a canopy or tarp to shield it from moisture.
Between trees
While they’re a fantastic solution for some campers, a firewood rack may be impractical to travel with for others. In that case, try organizing your logs between two sturdy trees at camp! Opt for trees with large trunks and enough space in between them for the amount of logs you’re working with. Tree trunks also make stringing a canopy above your pile super easy – another advantage of this method of storage.
More Tips for Organizing and Storing Firewood
Whenever you’re organizing and storing firewood, keeping it protected from the elements and free of moisture should be your top priority. Whether you utilize a milk crate or organize your wood on a firewood rack, your stack should always be under some sort of canopy or roof to protect it from above. It’s also important, however, to keep the sides open to allow for airflow.
Additionally, aim to keep your wood in a sunny and breezy location whenever possible, since sun and wind can help to keep your wood dry. Lastly, keep your stack of firewood at least 5 feet away from your camping tent. While it may be nice to have your wood close, logs are often dirty and can house pests. The closer they are to your tent, the more likely you’ll find that dirt and those pests in your shelter. If you didn’t use your firewood carrier for storage, it’ll definitely come in handy when you go to fetch fresh logs!
Wrapping It Up
Most campers will utilize firewood at some point in their outdoor adventures, whether to fuel a wood-burning stove or to light a classic campfire. For a successful burn, you’ll want to get dry, seasoned hardwood from one of the many sources available to outdoorsmen. Once you get to camp, organizing your pile helps to facilitate smooth fire making and is also vital to maintaining the quality of your wood. By using one of the 5 methods outlined above, you’ll have a stack of wood that’s dry, easy to access, and ready to burn. Enjoy your campfires!
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