# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DePcJHdFj7l
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71350767-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9720e58500.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-08T17:11:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

No one ever tells stories around the meecro-wah-vey. 

Sorry, microwave. 

All right, maybe a few. Like that time, you forgot to put water in your cup of noodles causing the entire office to evacuate leading to a visit from a Smokey Bear impersonator who was not impressed with your commentary about putting a potato in the microwave, hitting the pizza button, and being surprised when it came out still a potato. Well, a potato on fire. 

Classic.

We digress. This post is about campfires.

Having an open fire can be an enjoyable part of camping. The pop and hiss of crackling wood, the weekly sharing of ghost stories with your Midnight Society, or the making of sweet, sticky, delightfully messy s’mores. Good times. 

However, make sure you control the fire…not the other way around. Each park has its own rules for where and when campfires are allowed. And remember: “campfire” means different things to different people. For some, it’s two logs quietly burning in a fire ring. For others, it’s a four-foot-tall inferno of wood and brush. You know who you are.

Ask at the visitor center or check with your campground host to find out where fires are allowed and whether there are limits on fire size.

Most importantly, when you’ve had enough smoke in your face (it always seems to follow you), never leave a fire unattended or go to sleep with it burning. When you’re ready to call it a night, use water to douse the fire and coals completely. Into the fire, not your cup of noodles. Sorry.

We have plenty more campfire tips. We’d share them here, but we’ve already said quite a lot. If you’re still reading, congratulations. You’ve made it farther than at least 70% of people scrolling through here. We made that number up. Everything else is legit.

NPS Photos

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 8,510
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 40

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

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