There’s something magical about campfire cooking — the smell of wood smoke, the sizzle of foil packets, and the joy of sharing a warm meal outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time staying with us at Hartwick Highlands Campground, this guide will help you make the most of your July stay with delicious, easy-to-make campfire meals.
New to Campfire Cooking? Start Here
Campfire meals are simple and fun, but if you’re new to outdoor cooking, here’s a quick guide to help you get started.
How to Build a Campfire for Cooking
- Use the fire ring: Every campsite at Hartwick Highlands comes with a designated fire ring for safety.
- Start small: Build your fire with kindling and small sticks before adding larger logs.
- Wait for coals: Let your fire burn for 30–45 minutes to create a bed of hot coals — they cook more evenly than open flames.
Campfire Cooking Gear to Bring
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs
- Long-handled spatula or spoon
- Grill grate (many fire rings include one)
- Cooler with prepped ingredients
Campfire Safety Tips
- Always supervise the fire.
- Keep water or sand nearby to put it out completely.
- Teach kids to stay at a safe distance.
3 Easy, Kid-Approved Campfire Recipes
These crowd-pleasing meals are perfect for summer nights around the fire and can be customized to fit picky eaters and adventurous foodies alike.
1. Foil Packet Nachos
A fun twist on classic nachos — no dishes required!
- Ingredients: Tortilla chips, shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and your favorite toppings (sour cream, guac, salsa).
- Instructions: Lay chips on a sheet of foil, add toppings, and fold into a packet. Cook over hot coals or a grill grate for 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted. Open carefully and enjoy!
2. Walking Tacos
All the flavor of tacos in a portable chip bag — kids love them!
- Ingredients: Snack-sized bags of Fritos or Doritos, taco-seasoned ground beef or black beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa.
- Instructions: Open the chip bags, add meat and toppings directly inside, mix with a fork, and eat straight from the bag.
3. Firepit Corn on the Cob
Fresh summer corn gets even sweeter when cooked over the fire.
- Ingredients: Corn on the cob, butter, salt, pepper, optional chili powder or parmesan.
- Instructions: Husk the corn, wrap it in foil with butter and seasoning, and place it on hot coals for 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally.
Optional: Campfire Cooking Station
Bring a folding table or picnic cloth to set up a “prep station” at your site. Let kids help assemble foil packets or choose toppings — it’s a fun way to make meals part of the camping experience.
Ready to Cook Up Some Summer Memories?
There’s still time to book your July or August getaway! Whether you’re camping with kids, friends, or just want to unplug and relax, Hartwick Highlands Campground is the perfect basecamp for fun, food, and fireside evenings.
