The 12 Best Camping Fire Pits [2024]

Camping can be an incredibly fun way to spend time outdoors, and a huge part of camping is having a campfire. However, between gathering supplies and properly setting up a place to start one safely, it can be more trouble than it’s worth to some people.

That’s where camping fire pits come in. They’re useful tools to help you build a campfire with less stress. All you have to do is figure out which camping fire pit is right for you.

Things To Consider With Camping Fire Pits

A camping fire pit can be a great investment for your future trips and outdoor activities. However, choosing the right one isn’t as simple as just picking the first option you see.

To help you narrow down what you need in your fire pit, here are a few things to consider:

Size and Weight

The first things to consider when purchasing a camping fire pit are its size and weight. This is for a few reasons.

A fire pit’s size will help determine the types of activities it can be used for. A small pit, for example, may be adequate for ambiance and creating some warmth but may not be good for cooking.

Size and weight are also important because these pits are portable. A large and heavy fire pit will be more cumbersome to carry long distances compared to smaller and lighter options.

Laws

You’ll also want to consider different fire pits’ rules and regulations before purchasing one. Each campground may have its own specific rules regarding its fire pit allowances. Some may have size regulations, while others may ban them entirely.

Each city, county, or state can also have its own laws regarding fire pits, particularly due to safety and environmental concerns.

Hot Tip: Before you purchase a camping fire pit, make sure you know the laws in your area as well as in the areas you tend to camp in most often.

Fuel and Ignition Type

You’ll likely want to consider the type of fuel you’ll want to use with your camping fire pit.

It’s possible that some pits are designed to function with multiple types of ignition and fuel, but that isn’t always the case. So, you’ll want to narrow down which options you feel most comfortable with.

Most fire pits can be ignited in 1 of 3 ways:

• Matches
• Electronic ignition
• Button spark ignition

The fuel types to keep your flame going tend to fall into 2 categories:

• Wood or coal-burning
• Gas

Setup

Since camping fire pits are supposed to make campfires easier, you’ll want to ensure you choose an option that will be easy for you to set up.

Some camping fire pits, for example, are compact enough, they don’t require any assembly at all. However, these pits are typically intended to be placed on tables or other flat, stable surfaces.

Other pits are collapsible or foldable. This allows you to save space when you pack them. However, you’ll need to be sure you’ve set this option up stably and securely before use.

Design

A camping fire pit’s design is the final big thing you should consider before you decide which option is right for you.

There are multiple design elements that can affect a fire pit’s use. For example, some are designed to be smokeless, which can be useful for crowded areas or backyard use.

You may also have a preference regarding your fire pit’s shape, which tend to be either round or rectangular. You might also want a fire pit that is “sleek” in design so that you can also use it at home.

The 12 Best Camping Fire Pits

It can be a struggle to determine which fire pit will best suit your needs. While many might look similar, little things can add up to make a big difference between options.

To help you, we’ve created this list and weighed the pros and cons of the best camping fire pits on the market.

1. Camping Fire Pit for On-the-Go

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UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit

If you’re someone who loves constantly packing up and moving on to a new camping adventure, the UCO Flatpack fire pit is a great option. This grill is lightweight, coming at under 4 pounds, and it’s foldable, so you can even fit it in most trekking backpacks.

It’s not the largest portable fire pit and grill, but it will get the job done for most campers. After all, if you’re going on an adventure, you probably don’t need incredibly sophisticated cooking gear.

The entire structure is made of stainless steel, so you can use it in all weather conditions without worrying about rust or tarnishing. That’s incredibly important for cooking.

What We Like:

• Super compact

What We Don’t Like:

• Needs a stable, flat surface

2. Powerful Pit That’s Easy To Carry

Outland Living Firebowl

Campers looking for a good power-size ratio should consider the Living Firebowl by Outland. This portable fire pit may be small, but don’t underestimate it. It can still produce a flame capable of cooking and providing warmth.

It’s a gas grill, which makes it cleaner than other burning options available. That means less fuss for you since you won’t have to wipe down any ash or dirt like you would with wood-burning options.

It’s also considered a generally safe option. Even places that ban campfires will sometimes allow the use of this particular model. But, of course, double-check before you use it. It’s less than 2 feet in diameter, making it a small option as well.

What We Like:

• Allowed most places

What We Don’t Like:

• Heavy for its size

Hot Tip: Consider our guide to the best camping cooking sets for outdoor enthusiasts to complement your fire pit.

3. Convenient Fire Pit Without the Fuss

Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit

If your biggest reason for getting a fire pit is to make camping as hassle-free as possible, Solo has got you covered with their stove bonfire fire pit.

This pit is large enough to provide more than enough heat for most campers while also being perfect for roasting marshmallows. It also manages that without producing smoke.

You also don’t have to worry about packing any extra gear with this pit. It doesn’t require fuel or gas. You can just put it with your gear and head out on your adventure.

It’s wood-burning, so you can gather your supplies from the great outdoors or pick up some wood at most campgrounds.

What We Like:

• Smokeless

What We Don’t Like:

• Difficult to clean

4. Lightweight Fire Pit With a Lot of Power

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Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit

This pop-up fire pit is the perfect option for people looking for an easy-to-use pit that doesn’t sacrifice power. While there’s some assembly required with this fire pit, it’s incredibly intuitive and can be put together in seconds.

Some fire pits with this sort of set-up don’t produce much of a flame, but that isn’t the case here. Instead, you can easily ignite a flame adequate enough for both cooking and warmth. It’s made out of stainless steel, so it’s guaranteed to stay pristine and rust-free for as long as you use it.

The pit also comes with a carrying bag and a fire shield, so you have everything you need all in one place.

What We Like:

• Durable and rust-free

What We Don’t Like:

• Potential to lose parts

5. Great Option for Campsite Cooking

CAMPINGMOON Portable Stainless Steel Wood Burning Grill

If you’re looking for a fire pit to use for cooking outdoors, CampingMoons’s portable burning grill is an option worth considering. This grill has everything you need for cooking on the go.

It’s pretty lightweight, weighing around 23 pounds. However, while there are certainly lighter options out there, most of them are less sturdy than this one.

It’s also compact — it’s less than 2 feet in height, length, and width, making it great for tabletop use or sitting around as a campfire.

It burns both wood and charcoal. So, no matter where you are, you’ll be able to find supplies. It’s also stainless steel, so washing it and using it in all weather conditions is safe.

What We Like:

• Good cooking surface

What We Don’t Like:

• Not smokeless

6. Budget-friendly Yet Useful Camping Pit

Odoland Folding Campfire Grill

Camping fire pits can be expensive, so a budget-friendly option that’s still a high-quality product is always welcome. That’s what you get from Odoland’s folding grill.

This grill is compact enough to be used not just on camping trips where you’ll drive to your camp spot. It’s also good for hiking and backpacking. It folds down to fit in its own carrying case that is around the size of a laptop bag.

It’s also made of nonstick stainless steel, making it perfect for on-the-go cleaning and cooking. You don’t have to worry about scrubbing food residue or potentially rusting your grill if you didn’t dry it enough.

What We Like:

• Ergonomically designed for comfort

What We Don’t Like:

• Shallow pit than can blow sparks and debris

7. A Fire Pit for Any Setting

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Flame King Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit Bowl

You should consider this Flame King option if you don’t want to be tied down to only using your fire pit for specific occasions. This fire pit bowl is suitable for camping and backyard use, tailgating, and more.

It’s 18 pounds, making it heavier than some available options. However, it’s also heavy-duty and sturdy, which is a worthy trade-off. The grill is less than a foot in height, but its bowl surface area is 19 inches. So, there’s plenty of space for cooking or for the flame to produce heat.

Since this pit runs off of liquefied petroleum gas rather than wood or coal, it doesn’t require much clean-up.

What We Like:

• Self-igniting

What We Don’t Like:

• Hose isn’t universally compatible

8. Easy Fire Pit You Can Control

Ignik FireCan Portable Propane Fire Pit

If you like the idea of a campfire but you want the peace of mind of knowing you can control the flame, Ignik’s FireCan pit is a good option.

This pit was designed to make campfires easy and safe. The structure itself is made out of durable alloy steel, so you don’t have to worry about heat causing any damage.

It’s also designed to contain its flames, making it a safe option even in camping areas that discourage open fires (be sure to check to make sure).

Its biggest safety feature is its regulator, which allows you to control the flame size. That means you don’t have to worry about your campfire getting out of hand.

What We Like:

• Designed for safety

What We Don’t Like:

• Only uses LPG fuel

9. A Small Pit With a Big Flame

Adreak 18-inch Fire Pit, Outdoor Portable Firepit

If you’ve avoided getting a portable fire pit because you’re worried you’ll only be able to produce small, useless flames, think again. The Adreak fire pit is a great option to prove you wrong.

This fire pit might only be 18 inches long and 14 inches tall, but it produces an impressive flame that’s perfect for cooking or ambiance.

It’s easy to clean and transport as well. So you don’t have to worry about being weighed down by a bulky grill or dealing with a nightmare clean-up situation.

Though you do have to assemble the grill if you keep it folded for transport, it’s simple to put together. That means you stay headache-free.

What We Like:

• Sturdy and robust

What We Don’t Like:

• Quite heavy

10. Premium Stainless Steel Fire Pit

Cast Master Bon 2000 Dual Purpose Bonfire Pit

People looking for a fire pit option that’s suitable for any outdoor occasion should consider the Cast Master Bon 2000. This pit is great for small bonfires, cooking, and grilling – all in one convenient package.

Made of high-quality stainless steel, this pit is also durable enough to withstand any sort of outdoor use. So you can take it to the beach, on hiking trips, or set it up in your yard.

The pit won’t get scratched or damaged. Nor will it rust or dent easily. That means this pit is an investment that will last you years. You also don’t have to worry about dealing with a complicated assembly. After the first time you set it up, it will become second nature.

What We Like:

• All-purpose option

What We Don’t Like:

• Hard to deep-clean

11. Great for Both Home and Camping

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Yaheetech 21inch Firepit Portable Folding Steel Fire Bowl

If you’re intimidated by the idea of using a fire pit, this option from Yaheetech is a great starting place for you. Its simple and intuitive design helps guide fire pit and grilling amateurs. You’ll be using it like a pro before you know it.

Unlike a lot of portable fire pit options on the market, this model also comes with a spark screen for maximum safety. As a result, you don’t have to worry about getting burned or fly-away sparks, which is good news for you and the environment.

It’s also a lightweight option, weighing less than 9 pounds while still offering you over 21 inches of surface area for cooking.

What We Like:

• Compact and easy-to-use

What We Don’t Like:

• The spark screen will need replacing

12. Stylishly Designed and Handy Fire Pit

Portable Plug Fire Pit

If you plan on using your fire pit at home, or you just want a stylish option, this is the model for you.

Each side of this sleek pit has an animal-shaped flame window which is stunning on its own but will really wow when you have a fire going. However, you’re not just paying for the design, you’re also getting a high-quality item.

It’s collapsible, making it great for travel. It’s also wood-burning which cuts down on the number of supplies you need to have on hand. Since the pit is made of iron, it will withstand high heat, making it a safe option in the long run because you don’t have to worry about damage.

What We Like:

• Easy to assemble

What We Don’t Like:

• Not very tall

Final Thoughts

One of the best parts of camping is sitting around a campfire. So, it’s a shame when starting one is a stressful experience. Getting a fire pit can help in that regard, but choosing the right one can also be anxiety-inducing.

We hope our list has helped you narrow down your options so you can be one step closer to purchasing the right camping fire pit for your needs.