When the air turns crisp and the nights dip into hoodie weather, nothing beats warming up by the fire with a hearty bowl of chili. For fall camping trips near NYC—or anywhere your road takes you—this easy cast iron chili recipe is the ultimate comfort food.

Fall camping meals should be simple, hearty, and warming—and nothing delivers like a classic campfire chili recipe. Made in a cast iron Dutch oven right over the fire, this one-pot chili is a must for chilly nights in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Acadia National Park and beyond. Packed with protein, spice, and comfort, it’s the kind of meal that keeps campers cozy after a long day of hiking or exploring. Whether you’re heading to a fall festival, planning a weekend getaway, or gathering friends for a backyard bonfire, this Dutch oven chili brings everyone together around the fire.

Why Chili is the Perfect Camping Recipe

One-pot wonder: A cast iron Dutch oven over the fire = fewer dishes, less fuss.
Customizable heat: Love it fiery? Add habanero. Prefer mellow? Keep it mild.
Feeds a crowd: Great for group campsites, festivals, and cozy weekends away.
Warms you up: Packed with protein and spice—perfect for chilly nights outdoors.

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Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef (or swap with ground turkey, bison, or plant-based meat)
1 can red kidney beans, drained + rinsed
1 can tomato sauce
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 habanero chili pepper, diced (optional for spice lovers)
2 dried red chili peppers, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt + black pepper to taste

👉 Topping ideas: shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips.

Instructions

Fire it up
Heat your cast iron Dutch oven over the campfire. Add olive oil.
Build the flavor
Toss in diced onion + garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant.
Brown the beef
Add ground beef, stirring occasionally until fully browned.
Spice it up
Stir in chili powder, habanero, dried peppers, salt + pepper.
Simmer & blend
Add beans + tomato sauce. Mix well.
Low + slow
Cover with the lid, nestle some hot coals on top, and let cook 1–2 hours. Stir occasionally until thick and rich.
Serve hot
Toast bread over the fire or serve with chips. Top with cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños.

Campfire Cooking Tips 🔥

Dutch oven hack: Place hot coals both under and on top of the lid for even cooking.
Meal prep: Dice onions/garlic and pre-mix spices at home for faster campsite cooking.
Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and double the beans—black beans and chickpeas work great.

Pair This Chili with Your Fall Camping Adventures

Fall camping near NYC is magical—peak foliage in the Catskills, crisp hikes in the Adirondacks, or even a coastal getaway like Acadia National Park in Maine. We made this chili on a chilly September night in Acadia, and it quickly became our go-to fall campfire meal.

If you’re planning a camping trip this season, pack your Dutch oven, a few simple ingredients, and let this chili bring everyone together around the fire.

Planning Your Next Camping Trip?

🍂 Check out our Fall Camping Guides for the best foliage road trips from NYC.
🔥 Need a tent? Reserve high-quality rental gear with Basecamp Brooklyn—pickup in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
🍴 Want more campfire recipes? Browse our Outdoor Cooking Blog.

BONUS: Learn about Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located in the state of Maine, on the eastern coast of the United States. It encompasses over 49,000 acres of land, including Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and a number of smaller islands along the Maine coast. The park is home to a diverse range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, lakes, ponds, and coastal shorelines.

Acadia National Park is known for its stunning natural beauty, and it offers visitors a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to a number of historic sites and landmarks, including the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, the Jordan Pond House, and the Rockefeller Carriage Roads.

The park was established in 1916, and it is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River. It attracts over 3 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular national parks in the country. If you're planning a trip to Maine, be sure to add Acadia National Park to your itinerary. It's an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss!