Fire bans and no-ground-fire rules don't have to end the campfire tradition. The Camco Big Red Portable Campfire (part 58035 / CMC58035) runs on standard LP propane, puts out up to 65,000 BTU per hour, and is approved for campgrounds and sites where open ground fires are prohibited. Set it up in minutes, dial in the flame height, and you've got the warmth and glow of a real fire -- without the ash cleanup or smoke in your eyes.
The Big Red is built around a full burner ring that distributes gas and flame evenly across the ceramic log set, creating a realistic, multi-point flame pattern rather than a single torch-style flame. The ceramic logs are shaped and colored to mimic real wood, giving you the visual experience of a wood campfire without the hassle.
Setup is simple: connect your propane source using the included 10 ft hose and adjustable regulator, position the logs on the burner ring, and light. The fire tray sits elevated on a heat-resistant base that keeps the unit stable and protects the ground surface beneath it -- a key requirement at many managed campgrounds.
Even gas distribution across the entire ring produces a realistic, all-around flame pattern that mimics a real wood fire.
Propane combustion means zero wood ash cleanup and no smoke -- ideal for packed campgrounds and restricted-fire zones.
The base doubles as a storage tray. The lid latches securely for transport. Everything nests inside for easy loading and unloading from your rig.
The built-in regulator lets you turn output from a low ambient glow up to a full 65,000 BTU/hr blaze to cut the chill on cold nights.
Many federal and state campgrounds, National Forest sites, and private RV parks allow propane fire pits even when wood fires are banned due to fire danger or Leave No Trace policies. The Camco Big Red is specifically designed and recognized as compliant with US Forest Service standards for portable propane fire pits. Always verify with your specific campsite host, but in most cases this unit will be permitted where open ground fires are not.
Designed to meet US Forest Service fire-restriction guidelines. Accepted at most RV campgrounds and managed recreation areas where ground fires are prohibited. The elevated base keeps the flame off the ground surface, satisfying the "no-ground-contact" requirement common at many sites.
The fire tray measures 13.25 inches in diameter -- wide enough to sit stable on uneven ground or a picnic table. The heat-resistant base and tray elevate the burner and logs so heat does not concentrate on the surface below. For additional height clearance -- useful on wood decking or patio surfaces -- the base can be positioned on top of the lid to raise the whole unit further off the ground.
Rest the base on top of the lid to add height clearance between the fire tray and any sensitive surface below. This is especially useful when using the Big Red on a wooden deck, a picnic table with a vinyl cover, or inside a screened-in porch area.
The Big Red uses standard LP (liquefied propane) gas -- the same fuel as most RV tanks, 1 lb camping cylinders (with an appropriate adapter), and portable 20 lb BBQ cylinders. The included built-in adjustable regulator and 10 ft hose connect to a standard POL or QCC1 fitting on your propane supply. The 10 ft hose gives you enough reach to position the fire pit away from your RV or vehicle without the propane tank sitting directly underneath the flame.
The included hose and regulator are designed for standard LP propane tanks (typically 20 lb QCC1-style tanks). If you plan to use 1 lb camping cylinders, a separate adapter is required and is not included. Always use this unit outdoors or in a well-ventilated open-air environment. Never operate inside a tent, enclosed trailer, or sealed structure.
Everything stows into the self-storing carrying case for clean transport between sites. The lid latches securely with sturdy latches so the unit doesn't rattle or open in transit. At 19.5 lbs total, the Big Red is manageable for one person to carry by hand from your RV storage bay to the campsite and back.