Camping is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature. But, before you go, you need to make sure you have all the supplies you need. One important item to bring is a good tent. 

But, if you’re planning on camping in the winter, you need to make sure your tent is properly insulated. Otherwise, you’ll be miserable and cold all night long.

One of the most important things to pack is firewood. So, how much firewood do you need for camping? Keep reading to find out!

How Much Firewood Is In a Bundle?

Firewood is typically sold in bundles. But, the amount of wood in a bundle can vary depending on who you purchase it from. For example, a small, independent firewood supplier might sell Bundles that contain 20 to 30 pieces of wood. 

On the other hand, a big-box store might sell firewood that’s been cut into standard lengths. And, each piece of wood is about the same size. So, a bundle from a big-box store will likely contain fewer pieces of wood than a bundle from a small, independent supplier

How Much Wood Do You Need For Camping?

Now that you know how much firewood is in a bundle, you need to figure out how many bundles you need for camping. This will depend on a few factors, such as:

  • The length of your camping trip
  • The size of your campsite
  • The number of people in your group
  • Whether you plan on having fires every night

Generally speaking, you’ll need one bundle of firewood for every two nights of camping. So, if you’re planning on camping for four nights, you’ll need two bundles of firewood. 

Of course, this is just a general guideline. If you want to be sure you have enough wood for your trip, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and bring an extra bundle or two. If you do this, then you will not have to worry about running out of wood in the middle of the night if you do this.

What Affects Firewood Burn Rate?

The burn rate is the amount of wood that’s consumed by a fire in a given period of time. There are a few factors that can affect the burn rate, such as:

  • The type of wood
  • The size of the pieces
  • The moisture content

Hardwoods, such as oak and maple, tend to have a higher burn rate than softwoods, such as pine and cedar. This is because hardwoods are denser than softwoods. It means that they take longer to ignite, but that once they have ignited, they produce a larger amount of heat than other kinds of fuel.

The size of the pieces also affects the burn rate. Smaller pieces will burn faster than larger pieces. And, if the pieces are too small, they’ll just turn to ash without producing any heat. 

Finally, the moisture content of the wood also affects the burn rate. Wet wood burns more slowly than dry wood. So, if you’re using wet wood, you’ll need to use more of it to produce the same amount of heat.

How to Gather Firewood Around Your Campsite

If you’re camping in a developed campsite, there will likely be a designated area for gathering firewood. But, if you’re camping in the wilderness, you’ll need to gather your own wood. 

When gathering wood, it’s important to stick to deadwood that’s lying on the ground. The reason for this is that deadwood is easier to ignite than greenwood. Furthermore, it is also less likely to harbor insects as well.

To gather wood, you’ll need a few tools, such as an axe or a saw. The good news is that you can usually find these tools at your local hardware store if you do not have them already.

Once you’ve gathered enough wood for your trip, you’ll need to transport it back to your campsite. If you’re not camping too far from your car, you can just load the wood into your trunk. But, if you’re hiking to your campsite, you’ll need to pack the wood in a backpack or on a sled.

How to Store Firewood at Your Campsite

Once you’ve transported your firewood to your campsite, you’ll need to store it properly. In any other case, it will get wet and will not be able to burn properly.

The best way to store firewood is by creating a raised platform. To do this, simply stack some logs in a pyramid formation. Then, place your firewood on top of the logs. 

If you don’t have enough logs to create a raised platform, you can also store your firewood on a tarp. You will need to cover the wood with a tarp during the process in order to prevent it from getting wet.

How to Build a Campfire

Building a campfire is an art form. But, don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it looks. With a little practice, you’ll be able to build a roaring fire in no time. 

The first step is to gather some tinder. This is material that’s small enough to catch fire easily. Some good examples of tinder include:

  • Dry grass
  • Pine needles
  • Wood shavings
  • Cedar bark

Once you’ve gathered your tinder, you’ll need to create a tepee out of some small sticks. To do this, simply arrange the sticks in a cone-like shape and leave an opening at the top. 

Once you’ve created your tepee, it’s time to add some kindling. This is slightly larger material that will help the fire to grow. Some good examples of kindling include:

  • Small twigs
  • Pinecones
  • Wood chips

Now, it’s time to add some fuel to your fire. This is the largest material that will keep your fire going. Some good examples of fuel include:

  • Larger twigs
  • Chunks of wood
  • Logs

To build your fire, start by placing your tinder in the center of your tepee. Then, add your kindling on top of the tinder. Finally, add your fuel on top of the kindling. 

Once everything is in place, it’s time to light your fire. You can use a match or a lighter. If you’re using a match, strike it and then quickly place it under the tinder. If you’re using a lighter, simply hold it under the tinder until it ignites. 

Once your fire is lit, give it some time to grow. You may need to add more fuel to keep it going. But, soon enough, you’ll have a roaring campfire that’s perfect for roasting marshmallows or telling stories.

Final words

It’s important to consider how much firewood you’ll need for your camping trip. This will help ensure that you have enough, without bringing too much along and taking up extra space in your vehicle. 

We hope this post has helped you determine the right amount of firewood to bring on your next camping excursion. Have you ever gone camping before? If so, what was your experience like? Let us know in the comments section below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much wood do I need for a 5 hour fire?

  • If you’re using softwood, such as pine, you’ll need approximately 30 logs that are 16 inches long. 
  • If you’re using hardwood, such as oak, you’ll need approximately 20 logs that are 16 inches long. 
  • If you’re using a mixture of softwood and hardwood, you’ll need approximately 25 logs that are 16 inches long.

How much is a bundle of wood?

The price of a bundle of wood varies depending on the type of wood and where you live. However, you can expect to pay between $5 and $10 for a bundle of firewood.

How many campfire bundles are in a cord of wood?

  • A cord of wood is a stack of wood that’s 4 feet wide, 4 feet tall, and 8 feet long.
  • A campfire bundle is 1/3 of a cord, or a stack of wood that’s 16 inches wide, 16 inches tall, and 32 inches long.
  • Therefore, there are 9 campfire bundles in a cord of wood.

How many logs are in a cord of wood?

  • This depends on the size of the logs.
  • If the logs are 16 inches long, there will be 128 logs in a cord of wood.
  • If the logs are 24 inches long, there will be 96 logs in a cord of wood.
  • If the logs are 32 inches long, there will be 64 logs in a cord of wood.