Texas Rules for Campfires at a Park

A campfire can be part of an ATV or UTV weekend, but permission depends on the property, campground rules and current fire restrictions. Texas does not have one campfire rule for every riding park. Check the land manager’s instructions before you pack firewood, and have a no-fire plan in case conditions change.

Check the rules for the exact park and campsite

A park’s general permission to camp does not automatically mean it allows open fires. Some properties allow fires only in provided rings or grills; others prohibit them, limit them to certain sites, or suspend them during dry or windy conditions. Rules can differ between nearby parks, and a restriction can change after you make a reservation.

Start with the park operator or land manager, not just a map listing or an old trip report. Look for the current camping and fire rules on the property’s official information channels, then contact the operator if the instructions are unclear. Ask specifically whether wood-burning campfires are permitted at your site, whether you must use a provided fire ring, and whether any current burn restrictions apply.

What to check	Why it matters
Whether campfires are allowed	A campsite reservation or permission to ride does not necessarily allow an open fire.
Where fires may be built	Fires may be restricted to designated rings, grills or specific camping areas.
Current restrictions	Dry weather, wind or an official burn ban can lead to added limits or a full prohibition.
Fuel allowed	A park may allow charcoal or a camp stove but prohibit wood fires, or set other conditions.
Extinguishing requirements	Some properties require water, a shovel or another way to put a fire out completely.
Quiet hours and closing times	A permitted fire may still have to be extinguished at a particular time.

The property type is a useful clue, but it is not a substitute for checking its current rules. A privately operated OHV park sets its own campsite policies. Public land may have rules set by the agency that manages it, while a private lease requires the landowner’s permission. For help planning an overnight ride, see Camping at a Texas OHV Park and Texas OHV Parks With Camping.

Do not assume that a Texas OHV decal, riding permit, day-use pass or reservation includes permission to have a fire. Those items may authorize a particular kind of access or use, while camping and fire rules are handled separately. Public-land requirements are explained in Texas Rules for Riding Public Land, but the land manager’s current instructions still control what you may do at a campsite.

If a website says only “camping available” and says nothing about fires, treat that as an unanswered question—not as approval. Call or message the operator before leaving home. A clear answer can also help you decide whether to bring a stove and meals that do not depend on an open flame.

Check for restrictions again before you leave

Permission to build a fire under ordinary conditions does not guarantee that one will be allowed on your trip date. Fire restrictions can be imposed or changed because of local conditions. A county or other authority may issue a burn restriction, and a park can also set stricter rules for its own property. Check both the relevant public notices and the park’s instructions close to departure.

Confirm the location of your campsite and the rules that apply to it. A burn restriction may cover a broad area, while the park may also have site-specific limits. If you cannot tell whether a restriction applies to a campground or a type of fire, ask the responsible office directly. Do not rely on a previous visitor’s account, an old social media post or a fire ring that happens to be present.

Look for updated information on the property’s official website or contact details, and check any notice posted at the entrance or campground when you arrive. Conditions can change after you have checked at home. If park staff close fire rings or tell visitors to put out fires, follow that direction even if you had earlier permission.

A simple pre-trip sequence helps:

1. Identify the exact property and campsite, including who manages it.
2. Read the current camping and fire rules from the operator or land manager.
3. Check for current restrictions that apply to that property and date.
4. Ask the operator if the wording is unclear or if a restriction’s scope is uncertain.
5. Recheck notices when you arrive, before lighting anything.
6. Be ready to cook and stay warm without a campfire.

If the fire is not clearly permitted, do not light it. A portable stove may be allowed when an open wood fire is not, but do not assume that a stove is exempt from restrictions. Check its fuel type, use conditions and any rules about cooking devices with the same care.

Riders staying on private ranch property or a hunting lease should get direct permission from the owner or manager. Permission to ride does not necessarily include permission to camp or burn wood. The same principle applies when a group is hosted by someone else: ask the person responsible for the land rather than relying on a general understanding. For riding-access issues, see Texas Rules for Riding Private Land With Permission and Texas Rules for Riding a Hunting Lease.

Build and manage a permitted fire carefully

When a fire is allowed, use only the location and setup the property specifies. If the park provides a fire ring or grill, use it rather than making a new fire pit. Keep flames and embers within the approved area, and do not move a ring or add rocks, branches or other material to create a larger fire. If there is no designated place and the park has not clearly explained where a fire may go, ask before lighting one.

Before starting, clear loose leaves, dry grass and other easily ignited material from the immediate area if the park’s rules permit you to do so. Keep the fire well away from tents, vehicles, trailers, dry brush and stored fuel. Never light a fire beneath low branches or where wind can carry sparks toward vegetation or equipment. Keep children and pets at a safe distance, and make sure a responsible adult stays with the fire.

Use suitable firewood and keep the fire modest. Do not burn trash, plastic, treated lumber or anything that produces hazardous smoke. Avoid bringing firewood from far away; moving wood can spread pests and tree diseases. When possible, use wood sourced locally or follow the campground’s firewood guidance. If wood fires are not allowed, do not try to get around the rule by using charcoal or another device unless the operator explicitly permits it.

Do not use gasoline, diesel or other accelerants to start or revive a campfire. Keep fuel containers and other flammable supplies away from any flame. A parked ATV or UTV is not a safe place to store fuel beside a fire, and hot engine parts can add a separate ignition risk. The rules for transporting fuel are a different issue from fire permission; see Texas Rules for Carrying Fuel when planning what to bring on a ride.

Have extinguishing supplies within reach before lighting the fire. Water is usually the most practical option, and a shovel can help spread and turn over embers so water reaches them. A compact shovel or bucket can be part of a camping kit; if shopping online, Amazon is one option, but choose equipment that fits your setup and follow the park’s requirements. Do not start a fire if you lack the supplies or time to put it out properly.

Never leave a fire unattended, even briefly. Before going to sleep, leaving the campsite or heading out on a ride, put it out completely. Dousing the visible flames is not enough: embers can remain hot beneath ash and reignite when wind reaches them.

A careful extinguishing routine is:

1. Stop adding fuel well before you need to leave or go to bed.
2. Pour water over the fire, including the edges of the ring.
3. Stir the ashes and embers with a shovel or other suitable tool.
4. Add more water and stir again until no hot spots remain.
5. Check for heat carefully without touching embers or risking a burn.
6. Repeat until the fire is fully out and cold.

If water is limited, do not assume that covering embers with dirt or sand alone makes the fire safe. Follow the park’s extinguishing instructions, and bring enough water to handle the fire if the rules require it. If you cannot put it out fully, get help from park staff or emergency services rather than leaving it unattended.

Know when to skip the fire

A fire that is normally allowed can become unsafe when the ground and vegetation are very dry or wind is strong. Follow any restriction from the land manager, and use judgment even if a formal ban has not been announced. If sparks are blowing beyond the ring, the area is unusually dry, or you cannot control the flame, extinguish it. Choosing not to light a fire is the safest response when conditions are questionable.

Do not treat a cooking appliance as a loophole. A restriction may cover more than wood-burning campfires, and park rules may separately address charcoal grills, portable stoves and open flames. Confirm what is allowed for the specific device you plan to use. If the property prohibits all flame-based cooking, bring food that does not need heating.

For an OHV trip, fire safety also means thinking about where machines and camping gear are parked. Keep the fire area separate from gasoline, spare fuel, oily rags and equipment that can become hot. Do not ride through dry grass to reach a campsite if the property prohibits it, and follow marked routes and closures. Texas Rules for Riding a National Forest Trail explains why land-specific instructions matter when riding on managed public land.

A practical no-fire plan might include a permitted camp stove, ready-to-eat meals, warm clothing and a headlamp. Verify the stove is allowed before relying on it. If the park bans all flame-based devices, plan meals that do not require cooking. For heat, use clothing and appropriate sleeping gear rather than trying to warm a tent with an open flame; never burn fuel inside a tent or enclosed vehicle.

Before setting off, make sure everyone in the group knows who is responsible for checking restrictions and extinguishing the fire. For a group trip, agree that any rider can call off a fire if conditions seem unsafe. The same flexibility helps when weather changes or staff update the rules after arrival. A successful riding weekend does not depend on having a campfire.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.