You’re correct! The Dakota Fire Pit Instructions Below…
THE DAKOTA FIRE PIT
Welcome to my step-by-step guide to building a Dakota Fire Pit.
I love this firepit for a few reasons.
One, it’s great if you’re being tracked and you need keep a low profile.
The last thing you need in that case is a roaring fire. I’ll show you how to be practically untraceable from the moment you start digging to the moment you fill it in and carry on your way.
Secondly, it’s great for prolong survival situations where calorie expenditure is a concern.
You can build these right in your shelter, and they require minimal fuel. Meaning a handful of twigs and sticks can get this thing going very well.
Third, it burns very hot. Making it a great way to boil water, or cook meat.
Let’s dig in!
STEP 1. LOCATION
- Find a hidden area to dig your fire pit to avoid detection.
- Look for big trees to build beside.
- You also want smaller trees where your smoke will dissipate through the leaves.
STEP 2. TARP
- Set this up before doing ANY movement of ground
- You will layer your layers on top of your material.
- This will help you cover your tracks by putting the area back to normal… quickly and easily.
STEP 3. REMOVE LAYER
- Begin removing the top layer of brush and twigs. Exposing the bare ground.
- Pile the material on top of your tarp. Off to one corner. You’ll soon see why.
Survival Tip: Always keep an eye for extra supplies. I came across some great cordage as I was removing material. Coiled it up and put it aside for later. |
STEP 4. FIRE PIT
- Trace a 10-12 inch circle in the ground with your finger.
- This will be your main fire pit.
- Aim for this to be under the leaves of your small tree.
- Determine the upwind side of your fire pit, and trace a 6-8 circle onto the ground on that side, roughly 6 inches away from your fire pit. This will be your vent hole.
STEP 5. SCORE
- Take your shovel and score around the perimeter of your hole
- You want to make sure you leave the green plants as undisturbed as possible so you can cover your tracks.
- The goal here is to keep this top layer intact.
STEP 6. UNDERCUT
- Once you’ve scored around the edges, cut underneath with your shovel.
- If there are a lot of roots, be sure to sever them before lifting your “top” off.
STEP 7. POP THE TOP
- Once clear, lift the entire “top” off, being sure to keep intact.
- Place this on your tarp.
- Repeat step for ventilation hole.
STEP 8. DIG
- Begin digging your fire pit. You want to go about 12 inches deep.
Can you dig it?: If you don’t have a shovel, you can easily dig this out with a digging stick. |
NOTE: Remember to be removing your material in layers for a quick dash. |
- Once done your fire pit. Begin digging out your ventilation hole.
- If your shovel is too big, use a stick to dig it out.
- You want to get below the roots before connecting through to your fire pit.
STEP 9. THE TUNNEL
- Start creating your tunnel through to the fire pit.
- If sandy, it may be tricky to keep the integrity of the bridge. In which case you may prefer to use your hands.
- If it does collapse on you. Dig out the entire thing, lay sticks across where the bridge was. And then pack it down with dirt.
PROGRESS SHOT: |
STEP 10. TINDER
- Get a collection of course, medium and fine material.
- This will help save resources, and start a fire very easily.
- If I’m using a ferro rod, I want it in 3 strikes or less. One strike being the goal.
- Pictured: Brooms Edge, Dog Fennel and Bow Thistle.
BE A POSSUM: Anytime you’re walking along you never know where you’re going to need to set up camp. You don’t know what resources are available. So always, always, possum mentality, fill that possum pouch as soon as you find something. |
STEP 11. BUNDLE
- Take the brooms edge (coarse material) and fold the flowers tops to the inside.
- Almost try to fold it into a birds nest. But, not completely, as it can be a little too brittle and break.
- Take your dog fennel (medium) and fold it into the center of your broom’s edge.
- Then, take your bow thistle (fine material), and put it right in the middle.
STEP 12. STRIKE
- Line up your ferro rod dead center of the bow thistle.
- The goal here is to light up the finest, to the coarsest material in that order.
STEP 13. FIRE BOMB
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- Once your bundle is alight, quickly position it over your fire pit.
- Hold it upside down to let the rest of the flame catch the coarser material.
- Drop it into the fire pit.
FIRE TIP: Be sure to clear the roots out of your fire pit. They can heat up, smolder and start fires at quite a distance away. Also be cautious of a lot of pete on the ground. If it can smolder and carry heat, it’s a fire hazard. |
STEP 14. FUEL
- To fuel this fire you only need a small handful of twigs and sticks that you find lying around.
- Pictured is the most you’d want at any one time.
- Any more than that and the flame will easily burn above the groundline, defeating the purpose of the fire pit.
STEP 15. BOIL WATER
- Grab some green sticks.
- Layer them across your fire pit.
- Throw a pot on top and you’ve got a safe, reliable way to boil water.
STEP 16: THE COVER UP
- Once you’re done, go back to your tarp, and begin filling your hole in order of the layers you removed.
STEP 17. UNDETECTABLE
- Once you’re done, rearrange your top soil to look natural. And it would take a very experienced tracker to spot your signature.
And that’s the Dakota fire pit.
Play around with it. Get used to building the tunnel, and how to fix broken bridges. As well as the right amount of fuel source to get a good flame, without blowing your cover.
Enjoy.
Donnie Dickerson
December 18, 2018 @ 8:20 pm
Very nice lesson it has been a while since I have seen a Dakota fire pit I had forgotten about it until you ask the guestion 1 or 2 holes thanks for the reminder. Also need a reminder about warming up some rocks to put in sleeping bag or for hot stones put sand over them then sleeping bag if it is real cold.
September 22, 2019 @ 8:20 pm
That was Awsome. Great explanation and images. Good Job
December 25, 2018 @ 9:05 am
The best shelter is called a “wayward pine”, an old pine tree that has branches that sweep close to the ground. This is a quick shelter as the tree already blocks the wind, distributes the smoke from your dry wood fire through its branches, has dry pine needle ground cover to sleep on, and provides partial shelter from the rain. Found usually in old growth forests, like Talladega National Forest. Year round natural shelter great for cold camps in Summer or Winter if you are equipped right. Keeps you out of sight, and out of mind from passerby’s.
January 1, 2019 @ 9:17 pm
DR
Great story about Hunter, made my eyes water. Good, no Great lesson re: the fire pit. Very thorough and easy to follow! Kudos, and keep them coming!
January 28, 2019 @ 4:47 pm
Thanks Dr Miles. – your friend Lou
January 13, 2019 @ 12:57 am
I live in a part of the country where there is just enough soil to fill in between the rocks, making any kind of digging a tough job. I’ll file this away for any situation I can use it in another location, but it won’t work in my area.
January 19, 2019 @ 6:23 pm
The dog thing really got me , and I just wanna thank u for that short story, j c I have ptsd so I know how it feels to close to an animal that respects u .. and ur tips r very helpful and I look forward to working on it , my body is so beat up that it’s so hard to even camp anymore but the peace I get from camping is , well it’s hard to put even in to words but guess what, I still try ( stubborn) .. nothing like the outdoors, especially in today’s time , where everyone is gaming , it’s fun gift a few minutes but getting in touch with ur self in the outdoors is undeniable, thank you..
January 28, 2019 @ 5:21 pm
Excellent lesson . The Dakota fire pit is a favorite of mine.
The Grayman lesson for its use was very much welcomed.
January 28, 2019 @ 6:01 pm
Don’t let anybody say negative things about your Dakota fire pit. What a great lesson you have shared with us. I knew how to dig the pit but keeping the fire below the pit was a good tip. Rick
February 1, 2019 @ 9:02 pm
Story hits home you see i just lost my pal[ German pointer] on new years eve ,and I could picture your dog crawling to be next to you.. Is there anything better than walking the fields with you pal looking for a game bird,but not really caring if you find one or not just to be out with your dog is enough
February 2, 2019 @ 10:56 pm
Thank you very much. Hopefully I will never truly need to use it as that would mean that I was being pursued or someone or was on the lookout for me. Then again I suppose it is still a great way to leave any small firepit so as not to ruin the natural beauty of the woods.
February 15, 2019 @ 8:54 pm
Hadnt forgotten, just havent had need for it inna long time! I was trained by the best! Now just an old fat handicapped man with outstanding abilities! Never give up!! ANYTHANGS POSSIBLE!
February 20, 2019 @ 4:17 pm
I’ve used this several times up in Canada and it works wonders! Also used these kind of holes but a little larger to hide food and other items; by placing tarps or old raincoats in them to preserve things and keep them dry!
February 24, 2019 @ 2:12 am
I enjoy these because they remind me of my younger years.
February 28, 2019 @ 6:13 pm
Awesome story of the dog,
I understand the power of training,& trained my precious dog(Fang),a mixed
American Red Wolf/Shepard,
as a formidable weapon,rescue animal responder,and loyal friend…!
I’d trust that animal with my
life in most detrimental situations,like a (private) service animal,whereas,
Many policing agencies,law
enforcement,& personal/
private parties,Wanted that
Animal of mines…! Top dollar
offered,Yet Refused,& Many
offers to be a Trainer for
Their Animals. I raised Fang
from a new born- PreWinged
from it’s mother,from infants
glass baby bottles + my special milk blend. People still ask of that dog,She died
over 20yrs ago- Yet never forgotten…!????
Happy Thoughts…
March 3, 2019 @ 10:39 am
I’m an old former marine, this brings backs a lot of memories. We never dug the hole as you did wish we had ours were just on top of the ground under a tree. Thanks for the story brings back a lot of memories. Had 3 boys so we got a Doberman pincher dog six weeks old where I could raise (Count) his name with the boys . They loved him and count loved the boys. They cracked his back leg one time playing on him never a whimper from count, he came to me limping knew something was wrong stayed in a cast for 6 weeks. Count had 24 hour nursing care from the boys he loved it. I could let the boys out in the front yard to play and never worry, count would not let them leave the yard and of course no one would mess with a 125 pound Doberman.. many years later we all took care of him until God called him home. These special memories and pictures will all be with us. I have buried sever pets over the years but count still remains at the top of the list. Simper-FI
March 15, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
Thank you, I have seen these before but did not know the name of them. My kids will enjoy this since my one boy is Dakots 🙂 ! Loved the story about the dog and how to camouflage scent. Am an archery hunter and have often used fresh dirt rubbed on clothing to cover scent !
April 18, 2019 @ 6:13 pm
Works better in the northwest, Pacific Coastal Mountains and many eastern U.S. forested regions.
Many areas — find a small cave or crevice back in rock faces. Stick with a small fire except if planning to sleep in colder regions. Then a long slit trench. A foot longer than your stretched out frame. Build fire the full length of the trench for as long as practical — when it is down to coals, cover them with the dirt you removed while digging the trench, place your bedroll atop that area and enjoy the coal’s heat all night. Found this worked real well when I was stranded hitchhiking across the Wendover, Utah region. Took an hour to gather enough brush and dig a trench, then burned all the brush I could find for the next two hours to keep the fire burning — finally covered the coals with the salt dug out earlier and slept soundly. Without it, at 25 degrees,there would have been no sleep.
September 26, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
Very nice pit thanks for the video