How Do I Make a Bonfire Pit?

"How do I make a bonfire pit?" This is a question many a camper has asked herself. A bonfire pit houses your bonfire and helps to keep it under control. It prevents the fire from spreading further than you intend and it makes building the bonfire easier. There are two basic types of temporary bonfire pits; the type you choose will depend on the location and intended purpose. Here's what you need to know to build your own bonfire pit.

Campsite Bonfire Pit
Select a location for your bonfire pit. This should be away from overhanging branches and not near your tent or other camp gear. Ideally it will be in a wide-open space where you can place chairs and cook and relax.

Dig a hole for your bonfire pit. This should be roughly a foot deep and five feet in diameter. Feel free to make your bonfire pit smaller or larger depending on your group size and the location. Line the bottom of the hole you dug with rocks and you're ready to build your bonfire!

Cinderblock Fire pit
As with the campsite bonfire pit, you should start by digging a hole for your bonfire pit. If this type of bonfire pit will be in your backyard, you'll want to plan the location and size of the pit according to your land size. Once you've dug the hole, line it with bricks or cinderblocks, letting the edges touch on the first layer and then overlapping any openings with each subsequent layer. If you want to avoid burning the surface below the fire (if it isn't dirt or some other non-flammable material) you can place a large sheet of scrap metal on the very bottom of your fire pit.

Once your bonfire pit is finished, you can build your bonfire and make some s'mores!