Best Portable Camping Fire Pit (8 Top Picks)

There’s nothing like the comfort of an open fire while camping. With a portable camping fire pit, you’ll never get caught in the cold and always be s’more ready.

Is it really a true camping experience without a traditional wood fire? I’m fine with whatever can give us the heat of the fire. We just want a small gathering to keep warm with some cozy blankets and sometimes roast some marshmallows.

But what about those times when you’re on a camping trip and the campsite doesn’t have wood fire pits? Unless there are some Eagle Scouts around it can be a challenge to build your own wood-burning fire pits.

The good news is that portable outdoor fire pits are a great way to achieve open flames with ease of use. And there are a few fuel source options for burning portable fires – wood, charcoal, and propane.

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8 Camping Fire Pit Options

Here are eight of the best portable fire pits for any outdoor space while telling ghost stories. As big believers in the Leave No Trace movement, portable firepits make it so much easier to uphold that promise. Instead of building and breaking down your own, you simply pop out yours and pack it up when you leave.

As fans of smokeless fire pits, we’re going to start our list with them. Then we’ll venture into portable propane fire pits and other options.

1 – BioLite FirePit Plus

The BioLite brings campfires into the 21st century with its built-in technology. Via Bluetooth, you can use your smartphone to start it and control the flame size. It even features a powerpack battery so you can charge your phone while it powers your fire!

It burns using wood fuel or charcoal and is easy to clean with its enamel coating. By using charcoal, you can use this fire pit as a grill. It comes with a cooking grate so you can easily throw some patties on there.

One of the coolest features is a smokeless flame. This way you still get to enjoy the smell and crackle of the fire without reeking of smoke afterward if the wind blows your way.

The BioLite’s compact design and versatility make it another great option for smokeless campfires.

2 – Innostage Smokeless Fire Pit

This is also advertised as smokeless and burns wood pellets. Depending on which finish you choose, it can come in under $100.

This option is about 15 inches around and comes with a carrying case. We haven’t tried this one ourselves. But if you’re looking for more of a fire bowl pit for grilling, this is a popular choice.

3 – UCO Flatpack

Here’s one a bit more basic but may be better for your needs if you’re tight on storage space. This UCO Flatpack does as the name suggests – it folds flat!

This is perfect for camping when you don’t necessarily need a giant fire to warm a lot of people and still want the option to grill. Its steel frame and grill grate fit easily in a carrying case and makes the ideal portable bonfire if you’re camping or hiking light.

The base elevates the fire off the ground, safely containing it and preventing forest fires.

It’s also the most affordable option and comes in two different sizes. The smaller one is 9 by 6.75 inches and its larger sibling is 13 by 10 inches.

4 – Solo Stove Ranger

Like the BioLite, the Solo Stove Ranger is a bit of a splurge. But instead of paying for extra features, the Solo is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of the bunch.

More of a firepot, this modern design heater produces much heat and less smoke than most of its camping fire pit counterparts. Its compact size with stand included for safety easily fits in its carry bag for easy transport to the campsite.

One of the nicest features worth mentioning is how it doesn’t leave a mess. The fire burns the wood until it’s cremated completely. And it has a grill option as well as a griddle and wok option too, along with a spark screen!

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5 – Heininger Portable Propane Outdoor Fire Pit

Now on to the propane fire pits. The benefit of a natural gas fire pit is that there is absolutely no mess left behind. You’re not burning off wood or need to replace any charcoal. And since there’s nothing to burn that means no smoke.

It’s worth noting that even the best portable propane fire pit still needs a tank to go with it. Therefore, you’re probably not going to want to hike far with one of these options.

This Heininger clocks in at 22 pounds, which includes the decorative rocks inside it. The 58,000 BTUs burn a smokeless fire and is CSA approved to use during most campfire bans.

And if you don’t want to look at that unsightly propane tank, it even comes with a 10-foot hose.

6 – Bond Propane Gas Fire Pit

A bit lighter than the Heininger at under 20 pounds, the Bond is another good idea if you’re searching for propane pits. It has an antique copper finish, comes with a sturdy lid, and offers 54,000 BTUs of heat through pumice stones.

7 – Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio

The Wolf and Grizzly has everything you need if you’re looking to do some serious cooking while out on the trail or campsite. This grill can even handle a cast iron skillet or dutch oven.

In terms of portability, it can slip easily inside a backpack. Its stainless-steel body can be broken down into pieces to fit snugly into its carry kit.

It can be lit without matches, including two metal bars you rub together for a spark.

Due to it being only 11 inches, this unit should mainly be used for cooking purposes. The heat isn’t strong enough due to its small size to keep a group warm sitting around it.

8 – Radiate Portable Campfire

Here’s a portable campfire that is the most unconventional on this list, because it requires no assembly or wood, charcoal, or gas.

It’s a candle, sustainably disposable, and the most compact on this list at only 4 pounds and 8 inches wide. They’re so small, you might as well pack a few in case you need another!

This portable campfire lasts 3 to 5 hours, and even provides a nice smell like the best candles do.

What’s Your Favorite Portable Camping Fire Pit?

Do you have a favorite fire pit for portable use? Which is best for cooking and to serve as a campfire to gather around? Let us know in the comments!

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