Firepit

The firepit is one of the best parts of an evening here. Stacked hardwood is provided, and the built-in cooking box lets you cook over real coals. Here's everything you need to know.

Firewood

You're welcome to use the stacked wood in the corner where the trees meet — it's often covered with a tarp to protect it from rain. Help yourself to as much as you need.

Kindling

Twigs or small sticks from the ground work great to get a fire going. You can also use newspaper or one of the fire starters provided inside the house.

Building the Fire

Make a small pile of tinder and kindling in the center of the pit. Stack two logs parallel on the ground around it, then two more perpendicular on top — like Lincoln Logs. Keep alternating layers 3–4 high to form a cabin shape with an open core. Leave space for airflow so the kindling can light the logs. Ignite the tinder and the flames will spread upward and catch the stacked logs.

Cooking Over the Fire

Once your logs have burned down, move them into the metal cooking box and let them reduce to hot, glowing coals. You can cook over either charcoal or wood coals. The stainless steel grill grate is provided — please brush it clean after cooking. For best flavor, hardwoods like oak, apple, or hickory work well (not provided on-site).

Fire Safety

• —Never leave an active fire unattended
• —When you're done for the night, make sure there are no remaining flames
• —If coals are nearly out, you can let them burn down naturally — no need to douse them
• —Avoid building a fire in very windy conditions
• —Avoid spilling oil or grease on the concrete around the firepit — it will stain
• —Use foil or a pan when cooking to keep the area clean