Why a stove
Some parks do not allow campfires. Khao Yai National Park's visitor rules say bonfires are not allowed, and they also ban collecting wood or twigs. Rules differ from park to park, so check the one you are visiting.
Khao Yai rules to know
- No bonfires, and no collecting wood or twigs.
- No alcohol anywhere in the park.
- Bring all litter home. Polystyrene and toxic waste are not allowed.
- Do not feed or touch wild animals.
- Keep noise to a minimum.
Never cook inside the tent
The US CDC has documented carbon monoxide deaths after campers brought a stove into a zipped tent for warmth. Camping stoves and heaters are not designed for indoor use, and sleeping people can be affected before they notice symptoms. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission also advises against running portable heaters or lanterns while you sleep in a tent.
Cook outside, away from the tent, with air moving around you. Headache, dizziness, nausea and sleepiness are warning signs.
Choosing a stove
Match the stove to your trip: group size, number of nights and how far you carry it. The stoves in our Cooking category list their details from the retailer, so check each listing for the fuel it needs and carry enough spare fuel for the nights you stay.
Pack out everything
Food scraps and packaging go home with you. Disposing of waste properly is one of the seven Leave No Trace principles.
Sources
How this was written
Drafted with AI assistance from the official and press sources listed below. We add our own trip notes as we test routes. Rules and closures change, so always confirm with the park.
