Before you go, check for fire restrictions in the area you’ll be traveling to. If your destination is campfire-approved, you’ll need to bring a lighter or a box of matches and a little something to get the fire going (I often use dryer lint and Vaseline). That’ll get you started, but you’ll need to feed the flame with small, dry twigs or leaves (or newspaper), before graduating to small sticks and eventually, large pieces of wood.

If you’re camping at a campground, they may sell bundles of firewood, or you can buy some from a nearby gas station or grocery store. Buying wood locally is key, as transporting firewood across the state (or from state to state) can introduce non-native pests to the forest or park. If you’re in the backcountry, you may be able to forage for wood near your campsite, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find anything substantial or dry.