I am considering taking a trip out west in late November - early December and would love to bring my Snowtrekker tent, but would likely be staying regularly in state or other developed campgrounds. Like in Minnesota, these places usually say “campfires in approved fire rings only”. Obviously they don’t want people building fires just anywhere on the ground.

I’m wondering if they would consider a fire in the stove to be reasonable (provided of course the ground is suitable and there is sufficient clearance to trees). I’m tempted to call a few places but am concerned that (A) the answers will vary person by person even for one jurisdiction, and (B) their instinct will be to say no to anything with the word “fire” that they are not familiar with.

Has anyone got any experience using their hot tents in such campgrounds? I’m tempted to give it a try and just see how it goes, but that also may not work out so well.

I've used my Seek Outside tent and stove at a campground in Colorado. I strongly encourage you to use a spark arrestor/screen in your stove pipe.

Can't say what the experience is for other states, but I have used my woodstove and tent at many state parks here in Minnesota. Almost every time the resident ranger stops to chat and they have never said anything is wrong with my stove and fire. Only recently have they been saying that I can't tie the tent to any trees. So that just means I bury some logs in the snow with the rope tied around it.

I think you will be just fine because it is a fire that is even more contained then a fire ring. Just make sure you know where to get local firewood and a receipt that shows where you purchased the firewood. Don't know if other states are regulating on firewood, but they are here in Minnesota.

Holehopper: "I've used my Seek Outside tent and stove at a campground in Colorado. I strongly encourage you to use a spark arrestor/screen in your stove pipe. "

Thanks, and good point about the spark arrester. My stove came with one but it really sucks so I think I’ll modify or make one. I do recall hearing some places out west requiring them so I’ll be sure to have one visible.

Minnesotan, I’m hoping for the same sort of experience you’ve had. And wood restrictions seem to be everywhere so I do plan to scout local options before I go.

And if you're doing the state park thing and not hoofing it too far fill the stove with lumber cutoffs. If you do any woodworking or construction, hard or soft woods, put those things to use. I routinely pull a full stove into the bwca and that dry lumber goes a long way. Cheating?-maybe? Could also be a lifesaver if you get wet before camp is set/wood harvested.