Canada has so much natural beauty to offer visitors and residents alike that it's no surprise the vast country and its expansive mountain ranges and parks are a hotbed of camping and trekking activity.
From the spectacular settings of Banff and Jasper national parks in Alberta to Yoho National Park in British Columbia and Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada has a wealth of incredible wilderness where you can enjoy the great and unspoiled outdoors like nowhere else.
In the evenings, you can recount your daily adventures by the glow of a "Colorado campfire" -- the traditional, rustic scene of a crackling fire out in nature and beside your tent, campervan or RV. Let’s look at how you can create this experience for yourself and fellow campers.
What Is a Colorado Campfire?
One of the best parts of camping -- apart from hiking or trekking during the day and taking in the majestic sights of nature -- is sitting around a campfire in the evening. It creates an incredible ambiance as you settle down after the day's physical exertion, along with the main benefit of keeping everyone warm as the temperature drops.
Colorado's rugged beauty is a magnet for campers and it has become synonymous with the traditional scene of a campfire. Wherever you find yourself on your next outdoor adventure in Canada, you can replicate this fireside charm as you enjoy the outdoor environment and starry skies unhindered by light and other pollution.
For the Canadian camper, a Colorado campfire set-up is the ultimate wilderness experience, representing the universal appeal and symbolism of spending time in nature. As long as you do it the right way and don't cause any harm to the environment and its flora and fauna -- including Canada’s emblematic maple trees.
Preparing for a Colorado-Style Campfire Adventure
When you're out camping in Canada, it's wise to spend some time preparing for a Colorado-style campfire, instead of coming back from a day's hiking and then trying to get everything together for it. So make sure to:
- Choose the right location. You will not be able to make a campfire just anywhere in a Canadian national park. At Banff National Park, for example, and many others around the country, you will have to buy a fire permit. They may be included when you reserve your camping site or at various kiosks.
- Use the right fuel. That's wood, which in Canada you'll usually be able to get from your campground's woodlot. Don't collect wood from forest areas to burn.
- Consider the times. Many campgrounds around Canada only allow visitors to have a campfire during specified hours. It's usually from early evening, around 7pm, until about 11pm. And you won't be able to leave your fire but must remain with it while it’s burning. This is to ensure it doesn't spread or cause other problems.
- Put your campfire out before going to bed, either in your tent, RV or campervan. You won't be able to keep burning them while you sleep.
Enhancing the Campfire Experience
A campfire is not just for atmosphere and heat; you can also use it for cooking, although in a limited capacity. You may be able to boil water over the flames, for coffee or tea, or warm up soups and other liquid foods, as long as you bring the right equipment with you.
For more comprehensive meals, you might want to consider packing an electric stove or griddle, and perhaps a coffee machine. These will require a power source, but your campground may not have one or you could be in a remote area with no electricity. That's why also packing a portable power pack is a good move.
A power pack like the BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station will let you run just about anything in your campsite set-up, including lights. And you can recharge it during the day, when you're hiking, using solar power. That also means it's kind to the environment, and quiet when in use, not disturbing you, your fellow campers or wildlife in the area.
Alternatives to Campfires: Staying Warm and Cozy
If you're going camping during Canada's wildfire season, which runs from April to around September or October, you may not be able to have a Colorado-type campfire, because they're banned. But you can still stay warm and have something of that outdoor cosiness in the evening, with electric heating and other devices.
You can run them on your own portable power pack, which will be fully charged from sunlight during the day and keep the heaters going into the night. It may not be the traditional campfire experience you were hoping for, but with wildfires raging elsewhere, you don't want to risk one at your location.
Some thought and preparation into your camping experience and the campfire you want -- whether real or electric-powered -- will ensure you have the best time in the great Canadian wilderness.
FAQs
What Is the Meaning of Camp Fire?
A camp fire is a fire that is constructed outside, typically when on a camping trip, with a tent, RV or campervan.
Are you Allowed to Have Campfires in Colorado
You can have a campfire in various places in Colorado as long as there are no wildfires raging and campfire bans in place as a result.
What Is Camp Fire Tradition?
The traditional scene of a camp fire is sitting around the flames and chatting, telling stories or playing music, such as with a guitar. Many people like to toast treats over the fire, especially marshmallows.
What Is Campfire Etiquette?
Build your campfire in a safe place, far from trees and bushes, and keep firewood away from the fire. Start the fire on bare soil and don't leave it unattended. When it's windy, make sure the fire is small, so it doesn't spread.
