Over the weekend, we decided it was time for a little site upgrade. There is something deeply satisfying about clearing a patch of earth, gathering stones, and building a place for a crackling fire to sit around. The process was straightforward, the sweat equity was well worth it, and today we’re going to give you the exact step-by-step instructions we used to put in our own campsite fire pit.
Disclaimer: Please note that we have links to several of the products that we used to build our fire pit, and if you click on them, we may earn a commission. We truly appreciate your support of The Fabulous Campbell’s and the outdoors!
Please download a free copy of our step-by-step instructions on how to build your own fire pit:
Four Things to Know Before You Dig
Before you grab a shovel, there are a few critical logistical things to check off your list:
- Know the Laws: Check the local ordinances for your area on where you can place an open flame. Our local rule required the pit to be 10 feet away from any structure, but we prefer 25 feet just to be safe.
- Campground Approvals: If you’re renting a seasonal site like us, make sure you have explicit approval from management. Some campgrounds are incredibly particular about what you can install and how it must look.
- Call 811 First: Any time you are digging into the ground, you must have a trained utilities locator mark the area for gas, water, sewer, or electric lines. Do not skip this! Sometimes utilities are buried at a very shallow depth—our campground’s septic sewer lines sit only a few inches below the surface.
- Size Restrictions: Know how large of a pit you are allowed to build. In our case, the maximum allowable size was 36 inches round.
The Toolbox & Materials Checklist
The essential tools lined up and ready for a little weekend sweat equity.
| Tools Needed | Building Materials |
| * Shovel & Square Hoe | * 5 bags (0.5 cu. ft. each) Paver Base |
| * 2-foot or 4-foot Level | * 5 bags (10 lbs each) Black Lava Rock |
| * Landscape Marking Paint & String | * 3 bags (0.5 cu. ft. each) River Pebble (3/4 to 1-inch diameter) |
| * Scissors & Tape Measure | * 36-inch Steel Fire Ring |
| * Screwdriver, stick, or large nail | * Hand Tamper |
The Step-by-Step Build
Step 1: Map Out the Circle
Find a location that is fairly level all the way around, keeping your safe distances in mind. Take your screwdriver or stick and push it firmly into the ground to mark the exact center of your future pit.
Tie one end of your string to that center point. Measure out 2.5 feet of string from the center point—matching it up to the spray nozzle of your marking paint can—and cut it. Holding the string taut to maintain a perfect radius, walk in a circle while spraying the paint. You’ve just created a perfect 5-foot diameter workspace.
A crisp, painted boundary ensures a perfectly round cut.
Step 2: Clear the Sod and Excavate
With the circle marked, it’s time to remove the grass. Your goal is a consistent 3-inch depth across the entire workspace. Because our soil was incredibly compact, a standard shovel wasn’t enough; we had to break out a hoe to chip away at the stubborn turf. Use your tape measure and level periodically to ensure the bottom of your pit is uniform.
Clearing away the heavy sod down to a flat, 3-inch recessed basin.
Step 3: Lay the Foundation
A fire pit is only as good as its base. Pour all 5 bags of your paver base into the excavated hole to create a 1.5-inch layer. Use a hoe or rake to smooth it out evenly, and then grab your hand tamper. Pack the material down aggressively until it forms a hard, unyielding, perfectly level foundation.
Emptying the first layer of paver base over the packed earth.
Tamping the base smooth to prevent the ring from settling over time.
Step 4: Center the Fire Ring
Set your 36-inch fire ring into the pit. To make sure it sits dead-center, use your tape measure to check the distance from the outer edge of the steel ring to the edge of your dug-out circle. It should measure exactly 12 inches all the way around. Make tiny adjustments until it’s perfectly centered. Because our fire ring came from amazon and had to be assembled it wasn’t perfectly round. We adjusted it several times to get the right fit.
Step 5: Add the Internal Heat Matrix
With the ring resting flat and true, pour your black lava rock right into the center of the ring and level it out. We originally started with 3 bags (30 lbs total), but quickly discovered it didn’t quite offer the coverage we wanted. We ended up adding 2 more bags a week later to give it that dense, professional look.
Step 6: The Decorative Border
To wrap things up, pour your 3 bags of river pebble into the 12-inch gap on the outside of the steel ring. These pebbles run about 3/4 to 1 inch in size, creating a clean, high-contrast frame that keeps the wild grass safely away from the heat of the steel.
The final result-clean lines, solid drainage, and ready for wood and a match.
When the last stone is raked into place, step back and admire the view. What was a patch of weeds just a few hours ago is now the focal point of the campsite. All that’s left to do is pull up a couple of lawn chairs, pour a cold drink, and wait for twilight.
Are you thinking about tackling a fire pit upgrade at your home or campsite this season? Let us know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply