A well-built campfire is about safety, atmosphere, and shared experience — not just flames.
At The Neighborhood Hotel, we design outdoor fire experiences the same way we design our stays: intentional, safe, and memorable. Our locations in Southwest Michigan are built for guests who want elevated outdoor gatherings — whether it’s families, couples, or small corporate retreats.
Guests staying at The Neighborhood Hotel in New Buffalo and Grand Beach often use our outdoor fire spaces as the centerpiece of their stay — from family evenings to small team offsites.
Why Trust The Neighborhood Hotel on Outdoor Fire Experiences
- Boutique hospitality brand operating neighborhood-scale hotels in Chicago and Southwest Michigan
- Properties intentionally designed around shared outdoor spaces, including fire pits and communal gathering areas
- Hosts families, retreats, and small groups seeking refined outdoor experiences — not rustic camping
Why Building a Proper Campfire Matters
A well-built campfire provides warmth, light, a place to cook food, and a cozy gathering spot. More importantly, building a campfire correctly helps prevent accidents, protects the environment, and ensures you comply with campground and fire safety rules. Learning the right method saves time, fuel, and frustration.
Step 1: Choose the Right Campfire Location
Before you light anything, location is critical.
- Use designated fire rings or pits whenever available — The Neighborhood Hotel clearly outlines the 2 designated fire pits at Grand Beach. And don’t miss the Cowboy Cauldron at each hotel in SW Michigan. The cauldron is ideal for cooking (and warming up).
- A Cowboy Cauldron is made from solid, seamless, high-tensile plate steel. All parts are treated with high-performance high-temperature powder coating, and each component has been tested to perform its duty perfectly. You can buy other grills, but you simply can’t buy a better one.
- Keep the fire at least 15 feet away from tents, buildings, trees, and gear
- Avoid low-hanging branches and windy areas
- Clear away leaves, grass, and debris that are within a 5–10 foot radius
If fires are restricted or banned, always follow local regulations. A responsible camper knows that the best campfire is sometimes no campfire at all.
Step 2: Gather the Right Campfire Materials
The secret to building the best campfire is using the correct materials in the right order. Make the gathering process fun, like a treasure hunt. Plus, this kind of task is a great way to keep the kids busy!
What Is the Best Wood for a Safe, Clean Campfire?
The Answer: Tinder (Ignites Easily)
Tinder is your fire starter. Good options include:
- Dry leaves or grass
- Birch bark
- Pine needles
- Commercial fire starters
- Cotton balls with petroleum jelly (where permitted)
How Do You Help the Fire Grow?
The Answer: Kindling (Builds the Flame)
Kindling helps the fire grow:
- Small twigs (pencil-sized)
- Dry sticks
- Split wood pieces
What Sustains the Fire?
The Answer: Firewood (Sustains the Fire)
Firewood keeps the campfire burning:
- Use dry, seasoned wood
- Avoid green or wet wood
- Never burn treated or painted wood
Pro tip: Always gather more wood than you think you’ll need.
Step 3: Choose the Best Campfire Structure
Different fire structures serve different purposes. Here are the most effective ones.
Which Campfire Structure is best for Starting a Fire?
The Answer: A Teepee Style
- Arrange tinder in the center
- Stack kindling around it in a cone shape
- Add small firewood on the outside
This design allows excellent airflow and lights quickly, making it one of the best campfire setups for beginners.
Which Campfire Style is Best for Cooking?
The Answer: A Log Cabin Style
**Note: the photo above is the Cowboy Cauldron which can be found at The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach & New Buffalo. It’s the most awesome tool for cooking outside.
But if you don’t have a cauldron and are going old school, the Log Cabin style is the way to go.
- Place two logs parallel
- Stack two more logs perpendicular on top
- Build upward like a cabin
This creates a steady, long-lasting fire with a flat cooking surface.
Which Campfire Style is Best for Windy Conditions?
The Answer: Lean-To Fire
- Place a large log as a windbreak
- Lean kindling and tinder against it
Step 4: How to Light the Campfire Safely
Use matches, a lighter, or a fire starter—never gasoline or flammable liquids.
- Light the tinder first
- Allow flames to catch the kindling
- Gradually add larger pieces of firewood
- Avoid smothering the fire
Patience is key. The best campfire grows naturally, not all at once.
Step 5: How to Maintain the Perfect Campfire
Once your fire is burning:
- Add wood gradually, not in large piles
- Keep flames manageable (about knee height)
- Use a stick to reposition logs for airflow
- Never leave the fire unattended
A good campfire produces steady flames and glowing embers—not excessive smoke.
Step 6: Campfire Safety Tips Everyone Should Follow
Building the best campfire also means putting safety first.
- Keep water or dirt nearby
- Supervise children and pets at all times
- Avoid loose clothing near flames
- Fully extinguish the fire before leaving or sleeping
To put out a fire:
- Let the wood burn down to ash
- Pour water slowly over embers
- Stir ashes and add more water
- Ensure everything is cool to the touch
Step 7: Leave No Trace
Responsible campers protect nature. Clean up!
Why Campfires Matter More Than Ever in Hospitality
As travel shifts toward connection, small group gatherings, and slow experiences, outdoor fire spaces have become one of the most requested amenities at boutique hotels. At The Neighborhood Hotel, fire pits aren’t decorative — they’re social infrastructure.
“We’ve seen some of our best guest moments happen around the fire — no phones, no agenda.”
— Jonathan Gordon, Founder of The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel is a boutique hospitality brand offering design-forward stays with thoughtful, outdoor gathering spaces in Chicago and Southwest Michigan. Hope your next campfire experience happens with us!
Planning a trip where outdoor gathering matters?
Explore stays at The Neighborhood Hotel designed around shared spaces, fire pits, and walkable neighborhoods.
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW – GRAND BEACH
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW – NEW BUFFALO
About The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel was founded in 2020 by Jonathan Gordon — a travel enthusiast who enjoys spaces that inspire, comfort and fuel. Each suite is well equipped for short and longterm stays (i.e. kitchens, laundry, etc.). The Neighborhood Hotel transforms old buildings with compelling history into well outfitted apartment style hotels that honor the old while representing the now. The vibe is fresh and fun with rooms that are stocked to support everyone from the homebody to the adventurer. The hotels provide a basecamp for the explorer and a sanctuary for the traveler who needs to recharge, reset or just chill. The suites are simple and clean, punctuated with accents that bring the right amount of pop. The Neighborhood Hotel has locations in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Little Italy, West Loop (2026 opening) and Southwest Michigan: New Buffalo and Grand Beach.
Read about us in Architectural Digest, Midwest Living and CN Traveler!
Connect with @the.neighborhood.hotel on Instagram and LinkedIn!
