Do you think it’s a good idea for RV parks to set aside a certain area in their parks where campfires are not permitted? We’ve discussed this before at RVtravel.com, but it’s been a few years.
We’ve found ourselves in RV parks where the neighbor’s fire pit was as close as 10 feet away from our RV, in some cases our bedroom window. When the wind blew a certain way, the smoke would come right into our RV, making for a very uncomfortable situation. On more than one occasion we have had to close our windows and turn on the air conditioner to keep the air breathable.
We have talked to other RVers who have told us they get severe allergic reactions to wood smoke, and need to be extra careful that they stay where campfires are not allowed.
What do you think? Should RV parks set aside a special “No Campfire” area? Or do you believe that’s not necessary? Please leave a comment.
I voted “yes” but only for campgrounds with sites that are so close it’s a danger or smoke rolls into the next camper.
I voted no, but I agree completely with this statement. If the sites are so close that a campfire cannot be a minimum safe distance away….at least 30′ (more would be better)…there shouldn’t be a fire.
BTW…I voted no even though it is extremely rare that we have a fire. Many here talk about consideration for others but always want all the rules to exclude the things they don’t personally participate in or enjoy. I believe in freedom and personal responsibility…so go ahead and have the fire…just please be safe and considerate of others.
I voted yes. But. It could be a logistical nightmare. Do you add that option to the reservation page? Winds shift and smoke drifts so the campground couldn’t guarantee a smoke free campsite. Even though we don’t sit around evenings enjoying a nice campfire, camping is associated with campfires – and smores. My main complaint with campfires is newbies throwing their plastic trash into the fire pits to burn it but don’t know it’s not only illegal but the fumes from burning plastic can cause cancer (years down the road and they wouldn’t know it was their ignorance that gave them the cancer).
Tom E, I voted Yes, but I agree with you that it would be a logistical nightmare. The forest fires out west taught midwesterners that the smoke can still cause health issues hundreds of miles away. Ignorance of common courtesy is the main problem as I see it in today’s camping world.
If there were no campfire zones, then how about no dog zones? No kids zones? No outside TV zones? No cigar zones? Where would it end? Let’s all just try to be sensible and courteous campers instead of making it even more difficult to get a site because of rules to solve each person’s individual dislike/discomfort.
Pa State Parks has no dog zones in campsites which I don’t agree with. While I have no issue with no dogs in some campsites. I should be able to walk my dog on the road thru these sites. Some of the choice sites are no dog zones. I think no dog zones causes on issue with some people getting campsites. I stayed at A NY State Park campground that didn’t have no dog zones and there were no issues.
The main reason for this is the ignorant people who own dogs don’t know how to train them not to bark at other people/animals and they don’t care if the dog takes a crap in someone else’s campsite. That happened to me one time; I put on a pair of gloves, picked it up and politely handed it back to the guy. Now you know why there should be sites for and not for dogs. And if you have a dog – $10/night extra for everyone to put up with all the barking.
I am all in for a no dog zone! Dog barks travel as far, if not farther than smoke. A majority of dog owners I have come across are irresponsible (not all, but most) and allow their yappers to bark incessantly and are indignant if anyone mentions it. I would gladly pay more $$ for dog free campgrounds…like Periwinkle Park in Sanibel, FL.
There is actually a State Park in Central NY that had separated the families and others in the campground, but you were given a choice. As for the campfires, we had a lady at one park, she couldn’t be near smoke due to health issues, so the park banned all wood burning pits on sites. They have one off by the water for guests. We have a propane one.
I totally agree with you Judith. The list of discriminatory rules could go on and on.
Delaware Seashore State Park – No campfires allowed!
No dog zones – depends on the park. Some of us go camping to relax and not listen to dogs barking for hours on end because they aren’t trained not to.
No kid zones – 55+ campgrounds. This is a great concept. No screaming, crying, and no parents yelling.
No TV/Radio zones – Just keep the volume down so I can’t hear it.
No smoking zones – That’s coming. It’s because of the butts being tossed in the woods, along the roads, and everywhere else but where they should be put.
Perfectly stated!
Maybe should be a solution. Many commercial RV parks have sites that are too close to each other to even allow a fire pit. So, the situation can change.
Of course, this doesn’t include the unthinking or uncaring from not managing their individual fire.
Leaving a fire unattended is close to criminal and definitely stupid.
I think that when the campsites are close together, then campfires should be banned at the sites, but a common area with a ring could be provided. I also think that campers could be more aware of how their actions effect others around them, whether it is fire smoke, loud music, lights, windchimes, kids, or pets. None of these things are really necessary for a camping experience.
Kids? Really, Betty? I suppose we could go so far as to say, nature was doing quite well on its own without any humans. 🙂
When our daughter was young & living at home we would NEVER have left her home for your benefit, nor do we ever leave our dogs behind. But then, other than their presence in the campground, we would not let them bother you. Sounds like we’d be most likely to stay in much different places than you, thank goodness.
My camping experience has no need of a Betty or a Karen…
A park I stay in for 3 months in FL allows neither fires nor dogs. My favorite stay!
Would you be willing to share this park’s info?
When I’m camping, all of the cooking is done over a fire. Tough to do if fires aren’t allowed. Don’t like campfires? Stay where they’re not allowed. Problem solved.
We do this as well. Because we are cooking over that fire we use good quality well seasoned firewood and have fires that produce very little smoke.
NO trash ever goes into our firepit.
Life is better by the campfire. Campsites without a fire seem so cold and uninviting to me. Most of the objections to campfires (and dogs, kids, noise, lights, parties, outdoor radios and tv) in the comments are the result of overcrowding. Where ever two or three are gathered together…there will be a fight.
I voted yes due to the fact that so many people nowadays are inconsiderate of others. And wood smoke is laden with carcinogens may be a consideration. While I do not want to limit others pleasures, others should not infringe on my pleasures like being able to keep windows open and not getting a smoke filled trailer. The alternative solution is to have a propane fire pit only portion of the campground as the real problem is smoke, not the fire. And others have mentioned dogs. I find both dogs (and children) are generally not the problem. It’s the “parents” who are, like the smoky wood fire enthusiasts who are inconsiderate of others are the primary cause of problems.
Hundreds of thousands of wooded acres have been lost to fires. We need to do something to try to control this problem.
How many of those fires we due to controlled campfires in a known campground?
The majority of large wild fires in the west are caused by weather events. Lightning has proven very difficult to control. I’m not saying not to do what we can. A common statement here in the west goes something like “Log it, graze it, or watch it burn”.
I voted no but it comes down to everyone being considerate of everyone else. At our current campground the fire ring is within 2-3 ft if our neighboring site. So if we have a neighbor we don’t have a fire. Simple decision for me.
I’m not sure why anyone would vote no. The question wasn’t should campfires be eliminated, rather should there be zones? Why would people who want campfires care if others had space away from them? I get it, smoke from the campfire side could drift into the non-campfire zone, but that is better than someone building a campfire outside your bedroom window and letting it smoulder all night.
I voted yes as some people (eg.those with asthma) may be highly sensitive to campfire smoke and having a designated area of the campgound that is no campfire zone would help them to enjoy camping. I would also like to see no pet zones and adult only zones. How about doing a poll on those as well?
When my children were young we stayed in state parks, the campsites were large and well spaced and we always had a fire for hot dogs and marshmallows. Just about everyone had a campfire, I can remember going to bed with the smell of the campfire. Now 44 years later DW and I don’t have campfires and with campgrounds putting sites so close together I can understand the animosity. So many newbies that have never had a gas range fire building campfires is kind of scary. Parks should have a designated park campfire with supervision in a location that is normally downwind of the campsites. That way everyone will be happy and no one will accidentally get their rig burned.
I voted “Yes” but for a reason that is only slightly covered here. It seems few people still know how to set a fire so it burns well and clean. All the other issued raised are also valid. While I don’t mind fire smoke, the gas attack that some can manage with mere wood is amazing. Let’s not even get into those clever people that want to burn plastic. I still have a memory of being downwind of another camper that decided to burn the Kitty Litter. I don’t think I have to say more.
I believe there should by NO campfires allowed ANYWHERE!!!
You got that right!
why?
A CAMPfire is part of what makes it CAMPing. Otherwise, you’re just parking a mobile home somewhere.
When my wife and I camp together we don’t have a campfire and all cooking is done inside. When any of the 4 great grand kids are along we have a campfire for smores, hot dogs and marshmallows. When they are sufficiently frightened from the ghost and bear stores – it is time to retire inside; they are responsible (with close supervision) with the drowning, stirring and drowning again of the fire. When we leave the campground I bag the ashes and leave them for the rangers. Any wood left over is piled neatly by the fire ring for next camper or whoever. No trash burning either!
Only one time have I had a serious problem with a smokey fire – I had just bought wood at the park and it was heavy and hard (Oak?); it would not burn! So I put it out as it was drifting smoke into a tent across the roadway. Fires are fine with us (my wife has COPD) as long as they are managed properly. We don’t need any more restrictions than safety demands! We need more common sense and courtesy!!
“We need more common sense and courtesy!!”
Yeah, like THAT’S really going to happen. MANY of the last two generations are TOTALLY CLUELESS about personal responsibility As there is virtually NO downside to NOT acting / conducting oneself in a civil manner, there’s really NO incentive to change for the better in the future. 🙁
Agree John – Agree! dw
Yep. I like campfires. I hate generators. I’ll keep my campfire away from you campfire haters if you keep your generator away from me.
amen
The problem with campfires is not the fire it’s the idiots who build them many times. You have a campfire ring but so many people pile the wood way up and over the sides making them dangerous. The second issue I have is with RV park sites that are narrow. Recently we stayed at an RV park in Ventura CA. The campfire next door was so close to my motorhome I had to put in the window awnings to keep them from catching fire.
I didn’t take the survey because my answer isn’t a simple yes or no. I need a “Don’t Care”, or “Doesn’t Matter” button. Campgrounds are a business, and we their customers, and whatever is decided is what I’ll roll with. Yes, we’ve grumbled when a neighbor’s smoke blows into our bedroom through an open window, but rather than think “that needs to be banned!” we close the window, turn on a fan or the air conditioner, and go on with life. I see wanting campfire free areas right there with wanting pet free areas, kid free areas, early riser and sleep in areas, over 50 areas, diesel RV free areas, outdoor TV free areas, and areas that are free from groups of friends sitting outside drinking wine and laughing loudly. Campgrounds are compressed neighborhoods and as such require enhanced tolerance for those around you. Obviously others see it differently.
We don’t do campfires, but understand it’s a must do to others.
well said. i totally agree.
Although I voted “YES”, this is one of those things that sound good BUT, I expect will be difficult to impossible to enforce. Murphy’s law WILL kick in and, smoke from a campfire in an area that allows campfires WILL blow into areas where campfires are NOT allowed. I usually appreciate the smell of CLEAN wood burning in a campfire. Unfortunately, there are idiots who WILL burn (or try to burn) things other than clean wood. I’ve seen plastic bottles / containers, metal cans etc left in fire rings by slob campers.
As I learned in the Boy Scouts, Indians would build small fires, sit close, stay warm. White folks built large fires, sit far away, not warm. Too many fires are built and people wander away, rarely is a bucket of water nearby. Often, firewood sold at campground still green, lots of smoke.
After reading the comments – WOW! It appears that some people would prefer campgrounds where no camping is allowed. It is amazing that when we all were younger we raised perfect kids, obedient dogs, and knew how to build a perfect campfire.
I have allergies and my wife has asthma, we have meds, so we assumed that smoke is a part of camping. After all some of my fondest memories are sitting around the campfire with family and friends. We love camping because it reminds us of old memories and makes new memories. So all campsites should be campsites with firepits. Also it is hard enough getting a campsite and that would make families with kids possibly take a site with the restriction and they would miss out on part of the fun of camping.
I don’t always have a campfire, but it’s called “camping”, isn’t it? I guess if you don’t like a campfire, you should ask to see the layout of where your neighbors fire pit is.
Same as dogs. I like dogs, but do not travel with one so I always ask to be away from the dog park.
I voted yes, I compare the whole issue to smoking in restaurants. They should be down wind of the prevailing breeze of the campground and the non campfire section, however it’s not always easy to predict the wind. After close to 30 years as a Scout Master I have found that the smoke puts me into a coughing fit for hours so I always stayed away. Why people want to inhale something other than nice clean air is beyond me. I would hazard a guess that some who say it’s their right would complain when a smoker blows smoke their way!
It seems to me that it would be easy to have a “no campfire” zone at a campground starting next camping season 2023 as a trial to test how it works. If successful and appreciated then keep it going, but if not….
If you don’t like outdoor stuff, then don’t go to places that has outdoor stuff. Next people will want less dirt outside.
I tend to agree with this.
Would like to say yes, but can’t. Do not like smoke smell in our motorhome. However, yes, it is camping and for some having a fire is a big part of their experience. Could get complicated have a “no smoking” area. Although, people could opt to be in either section if their was an availability issue. A side note. We live in a 120 yr old Victorian. We don’t have AC. Fortunately, (well, only for this issue…lol) we live in California with the best weather, so a couple of window fans & portable units in bedroom & living room help. However, our neighbor, built a beautiful home next to us and right next to our shared fence, a big wood fireplace. Even though we are on an acre, this is close to our house and when he is using the fireplace we can not open windows or doors to get fresh air. So there are times we have to run portable AC when we would prefer to use God’s AC. We’ve had more issues at home than at campgrounds.
First it camping! Now the biggest problem with the fires is the wood. They sell kindlin dried wood and it stinks. Next if they sell regular local wood it is fresh, it should be at least a year of drying. I was a boy scout when young and like to keep my skills up and even though I have a big nice trailer I enjoy morning sunrise but then do some cooking on the fire, everyone likes the smell of steak or bacon. A secret is to get some cherry or apple wood and soak them all day then add to the fire when low flame and hour before cooking. i have more people stop by wanting to know what I am cooking and what wood am I using, before long most are using the same wood.
Also a campfire has been the TV of the woods as well a meeting place like several will bring their meals to cook also on the long lasting coals and share the days doings.
Getting out and enjoying the air not watching/listening to electronic things is what RVing is all about.
There definitely should be “no lighter fluid” on charcoal fires zones! That stuff stinks!!
I’d have no problems with campfires if the smoke could be kept in the site enjoying the fire. As it is, I now have to retreat inside for relief at times. We can’t avoid wildfire smoke at times, either. It’s nice to camp when fire bans are in place!
People just do not understand how far away smoke of any type can be an issue for people with allergies, asthma, etc.(I once had a very scary situation with an asthmatic friend, from cigar smoke from several sites away – I had to move our campsites, after setting her up with steam in a new site – thankfully one was available. We were miles from the nearest ER, and I don’t like to think how close we came to having to head there. Again, if the smokers had been able to keep the smoke in their site, not a problem.)