Outdoor brands you might not know, but you should — Howl Campfires.
Portable propane campfire that makes cold-night camping, tailgates, and patio hangs warmer—without the wood smoke and ash.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Howl Campfires.
Apres-ski in the parking lot with a Howl Campfire and a full winter kit. Photo Howl.
I love quality, well-made products. Working in advertising as a creative, from the giant agencies to the boutiques, has given me a unique perspective. It's not always about the big names you know; sometimes, it's the ones you don't that capture your eye.
Now, stepping away from agency life with Overland Girl, I'm spotlighting the brands that ignite my passion and confidence. With my creative roots and a career that's crossed paths with both the well-known and the obscure, I'm excited to share the brands that stand out—not just for their products but for their stories, commitment, and undeniable spirit. This blog is part of a series where I highlight some of the most unique and inspiring outdoor brands.
Let’s dive into the world of these hidden gems, exploring what makes them tick and, perhaps, finding the one that speaks to you. You might already know these brands; if so, that’s great: Mammut, Black Crows, Wild Rye, Stio, Snow Peak, Dragon Alliance, Big Agnes, Mountain Gazette, Wild Sam, HipCamp, Rumpl, Rovr Coolers, and RUX.
Today, I’m excited to focus on Howl Campfires, a brand building portable, propane-fueled campfires that aim to keep smoke away from your face, make setup and teardown fast, and bring a consistent, easy flame to campsites, tailgates, and backyard evenings.
Howl Campfires: The brand story
Howl Campfires started with four friends—Randall, Kelly, Nicholas, and Alex—who were watching campfire bans spread across the West and realized the classic wood fire wasn’t keeping up with a drier, more wildfire-prone world. They wanted to keep the feeling of a real campfire alive while still respecting modern burn restrictions and forest health.
From there, they pulled together a small Colorado team of engineers and designers—folks with backgrounds at MIT, Cornell, and in stove and product design—to build a propane campfire that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The result is a line of portable propane fire pits that burn hot, stay consistent in wind and cold, and put out real, radiant heat with less smoke and no firewood runs.
Every HOWL unit is designed, cut, welded, assembled, and tested in Colorado by people who live, camp, and spend time in the same forests they’re trying to protect. Their mission is simple: keep the forest and the campfire alive—make outdoor fire safe, accessible, and clean so you can sit around a flame almost anywhere a propane campfire is allowed.
The Three Modes (and how they change the experience)
Before getting into the two models, it helps to understand how a Howl Campfire works. Every unit runs in three modes, each changing the balance of flame, heat, and ambiance:
Lantern Mode. Photo Howl.
Campfire Mode. Photo Howl.
Stargazing Mode. Photo Howl.
Lantern Mode
A low-output setting that uses the top A-Flame burner only. You get a gentle, flickering flame with minimal heat—perfect for warm evenings, early mornings, or when you want the vibe of a fire without roasting your shins.
Campfire Mode
Both the A-Flame and the BarCoal radiant tubes run together. This is the true “campfire feel”—bright flame plus real radiant heat. It’s the mode you’ll rely on for cold nights, shoulder-season camping, and group hangs where people want to warm up.
Stargazing Mode
The BarCoal radiant tubes stay on while the visible flame is reduced. You still get warmth, but with much less light—great for nights when you want to actually see the stars, keep the campsite mellow, or avoid a big flame that can feel too bright.
These modes are the foundation for how both the R1 and R4 behave, so understanding them upfront makes it easier to decide which model fits your style of camping.
The Howl Propane Fire Pits
The Howl R1
Compact Howl R1 propane campfire throwing a tall, clean flame.
The R1 is Howl’s smaller portable propane campfire—a compact box that’s easy to stash in a van, truck bed, or small patio. It makes the most sense for car camping, overlanding, and anyone who wants a real-flame propane fire pit without giving up much space. Ideal for two to four people, shoulder-season nights, and simple setups where you want heat and ambiance without hauling a huge unit.
Packable, lightweight, ideal for small rigs or patios.
Key specs and ideal use cases.
Best fit: small rigs, weekend road trips, patios and driveways, grab-and-go campfire setups.
The Howl R4 MKii
The Howl R4 showing off its BarCoal radiant tubes and full flame.
The R4 is the higher-output system with a triple-burner layout, built for bigger groups and colder conditions. It throws serious radiant heat and holds its own in wind, making it a better match for basecamps, cabin trips, and winter camping. If you regularly camp with friends or want something closer to a full-size wood fire—but cleaner and easier—the R4 is the one.
High-output, triple-burner system for big groups and cold weather.
Key specs and ideal use cases.
Best fit: group sites, basecamps, winter camping, long stays where heat matters.
Are Howl Campfires safe?
Close-up of the Howl burner plate where the flame pattern takes shape. Photo Howl.
The whole reason Howl exists is to protect the forest as much as possible while still keeping the campfire feeling alive. So while no fire is ever risk-free, Howl Campfires are designed to be a more controlled alternative to a wood fire: no rolling logs, fewer sparks, and a flame you can shut off at the valve. The burners are enclosed in a stable metal housing, so you’re not chasing embers across a campsite.
That said, they still run hot and use propane. You need clear space around and above the unit, solid footing, and distance from tents, awnings, and dry grass. And even though many land managers allow propane campfires when wood fires are banned, you still have to check the local rules and follow Howl’s safety guidelines wherever you set one up.
Visit Howl Campfires to see
specs, accessories, and current availability.
Final Thoughts
Howl Campfires stands out because it solves a real problem: how to keep the feeling of a campfire alive without the sparks, smoke, and wildfire risk that come with traditional wood fires. With two models built for different styles of camping—and thoughtful modes that shift between ambiance and real heat—Howl fits naturally into modern outdoor life, especially for people who travel, camp in shoulder seasons, or want a cleaner, easier fire option.
If you're building a camp setup that’s simple, safe, and ready for cold nights, Howl Campfires is one of those under‑the‑radar brands worth adding to your list.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks. She values quality and craftsmanship in everything she buys—from outdoor gear to everyday clothes and furniture. Her choices may seem expensive to some, but she believes in buying less and buying better. Longevity matters, both in terms of function and style. Her couch is five years old and still sold at Design Within Reach—that's the kind of timelessness she looks for. Some of the links in this review are affiliate links, which means she may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support her work. She only recommends gear she’d bring herself.
