The fire pit is the outdoor centerpiece of most RV campsites. It’s where we roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and play campfire games while staying warm under the stars. From gathering tinder to cooking campfire snacks over an open flame, it’s all part of the serenity of camping. But wood-burning fires aren’t always an option. RVers need reliable campfire alternatives to ensure they still enjoy the full experience of camping outdoors.
Burn bans and fire restriction systems are in place for good reason. Humans cause nearly 85% of wildland fires. While campfires are not always the culprit, they are notoriously difficult to fully extinguish in dry areas. That’s not to mention the rising popularity of boondocking, which puts many campers in the position to make a fire in an area without a designated fire pit.
Whether you’re looking for campfire alternatives during a burn ban or a portable fire pit for boondocking, we’ll explore some of the best alternatives to a traditional campfire, from firelight lighting solutions to brighten your campsite to fire pit alternatives that supply warmth with minimal setup.
Key Takeaways
- Propane fire pits are the top alternative to wood-burning campfires. They offer heat, ambiance, and even cooking options with easy setup, smokeless operation, and compliance in many fire-restricted areas.
- Supplemental alternatives like outdoor blankets and RV lighting help recreate a campfire’s warmth and gathering atmosphere without the risks, smoke, or maintenance.
- Campfire alternatives reduce hassle and increase safety, eliminating the need to gather wood, maintain a fire, or deal with extinguishing embers—perfect for boondocking or areas under burn bans.
Alternative Fire Pits for RV Camping
Several portable propane fire pits can connect to your RV’s propane system or a separate LP container. These propane fire pits are legal in most fire-restricted areas and may be the closest replacement for a real fire.
Propane fire pits are a comparable alternative to open flames for providing heat. Some look and feel like an actual campfire, and others have adaptations to create an outdoor cooking surface. These fire pits are practically smokeless and set up easily. Once lit in a safe spot, they produce tall, lively flames resembling a traditional campfire.
A propane fire pit is easy to hook up and dismantle and allows you to control the heat level. You won’t need to stock up on firewood or worry about embers or an unwanted fire after turning off the propane. With a propane fire pit, your fuel source is more reliable.
Featured Camping Fire Pits
Compare two of our picks for the best portable fire pit for RV camping:
Venture Forward Outdoor Fire Pit
- Dimensions: 18.5″ D x 15.5″ H
- BTUs: 58,000
- Lightweight steel design with locking lid for portability
- Easy push-and-turn ignition
- Includes tank stand, 10′ regulator hose, and lava rock
Camco Little Red Campfire
- Dimensions: 9.5” D Ring Burner (11.5” D Fire Tray)
- BTUs: 65,000
- Realistic logs create a natural-looking fire
- Sturdy lid and security latches for easy transport
- Includes logs, 8′ propane hose, and adjustable regulator
Campfire Alternatives for Added Warmth
You might not realize how much you value the heat from a campfire until it’s not there. Even if you employ a portable fire pit, stocking up on outdoor camping blankets helps everyone stay warm in the evenings. While they’re a valuable alternative for a campfire, they can also be used with one.
Throw blankets are an underrated addition to your RV essentials list. Stock indoor and outdoor options so those used around a traditional campfire don’t bring their smoky smell inside. Store your outdoor blankets in a sealed, waterproof storage bag or bin in an underneath compartment. Just be sure to wash and dry them regularly.
Using Exterior Lighting as a Campfire Alternative
Fires provide warmth and illuminate our campsites once the sun goes down. Everyone needs light to comfortably gather with camp chairs, snacks, games, and the occasional guitar. If you can’t have a traditional fire, consider replacing it with appropriate RV outdoor lighting.
Designate a space—beneath your awning or maybe at a table—and plug lights into an exterior RV outlet to serve as a campfire alternative. Or choose solar lights that automatically turn on at dusk. Patio string lights brighten the area under your awning or above your picnic table. Pathway lights delineate space and add to your campsite vibe while helping everyone move around safely after dark.
RV Pro Tip: Whether fire bans affect your camping area or not, personal headlamps are a must-have. Veteran campers can attest that a headlamp is essential for navigating campgrounds without lights when RV electricity goes out.
Benefits of Campfire Alternatives
If you’re still hung up on not having a wood-burning fire when camping, remember there are some things you won’t miss about the campfire experience.
Starting (and Maintaining) the Fire
While most RV campers stock fire starters, kindling, an axe or hatchet, and a stick lighter to make starting a fire easy, it’s still a process. Plus, it’s sometimes impossible to plan for a rainstorm hitting the campground a day before your arrival, saturating their woodpile. Propane fire pits make life easy, allowing you to quickly enjoy the ambiance of a campfire without the hassle of starting or maintaining it.
How often have you dealt with damp conditions, wind that won’t allow a flame, or the sporadic sprinkle that ruins your cooking situation? Take control of your surroundings with the ease of a propane flame.
Smoke
From propane fire pits to exterior lighting to throw blankets, all of these alternatives to a campfire eliminate the need to deal with smoke. Moving your camp chair to avoid the smoke-in-your-eyes blindness is frustrating. Tracking smoky-smelling clothing inside at night’s end is less-than-ideal for some.
Ditch bloodshot eyes and the perpetual dance to avoid the smoky chair for a serene propane-fueled campfire, and don your clothing the next morning without the pungent, smoky stench clinging to your threads.
Dousing the Fire and Storing Wood
By avoiding a wood-burning fire, you’ll save time in many areas. Starting a propane fire pit is much quicker than turning it off when it’s time for bed. Plus, there’s no worry about whether you’ve doused the fire enough to avoid danger. You can leave camp quickly without worrying about fully extinguishing the embers.
While some campgrounds prohibit transporting firewood onto their property, alternative fire pits for RV camping eliminate the need to transport wood altogether. As long as you have enough hose, you can easily connect to your RV’s LP quick connect, supplying propane to your pit without carrying any additional fuel.
Your campsite might feel a bit different without the traditional fire. But enjoy adapting to the situation with these fire pit alternatives. Camp responsibly, think ahead, and potentially prevent danger to your favorite destinations.
Enjoy these additional resources on RV fire safety and portable fire pits for camping:
- Must Have Campfire Accessories
- Fire Safety for RV Travelers
- Ukiah Fire Pit Review
- Solo Stove Tabletop Fire Pit Review
What is your favorite alternative fire pit for RV travel? Let us know in the comments below.
