A crackling fire on a cool autumn night brings people together like few things can. Whether you need split logs for a backyard bonfire, fuel for your wood-burning stove, or a reliable heat source during a winter power outage, knowing the best places to purchase this essential supply saves time and money. This guide covers every major retailer, both local and online, so you can stock up with confidence.
Where to Buy Firewood Locally
Buying locally is often the fastest option. You can inspect the wood before paying, avoid shipping costs, and support businesses in your area. Here are the top brick-and-mortar sources worth checking first.
Hardware Stores and Home Improvement Centers
Big-box home improvement retailers carry bundled and bulk options year-round. Home Depot stocks seasoned hardwood bundles both in store and online, and the staff can help you choose the right type for your needs. Lowe’s offers a similar selection with competitive pricing. Both stores typically place their wood supply near the outdoor garden section, making it easy to grab a bundle while picking up tools or other home project supplies.
Grocery Stores and Gas Stations
During fall and winter months, many grocery chains and gas stations sell small bundles near their entrance. These are convenient for a single evening around the fire pit, though pricing per log tends to run higher than buying in bulk. Check that any wood stored outdoors is dry and well-wrapped, because damp logs are difficult to ignite and produce excessive smoke.
Can I Buy Firewood at Walmart?
Absolutely. Walmart carries a wide selection at budget-friendly price points. Some listings are pickup only, while others ship directly to your door. Walmart is a strong choice when you want variety without paying a premium.
Local Tree Services and Farms
Small-scale sellers, including tree removal companies and family farms, often sell seasoned hardwood by the cord or half-cord at lower prices than retail stores. Check community bulletin boards, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist for local suppliers. If you enjoy holiday traditions, many of the same farms that sell real Christmas trees also offer split wood during the colder months.
Where to Buy Firewood Online
Ordering online makes sense when you want bulk quantities delivered to your property or need a specific wood species that local stores do not carry.
Amazon
Amazon #ad sells bundles, crates, and even full pallets across multiple price ranges. Prime members can receive smaller orders within two days, which is ideal for last-minute cookouts or camping trips.
Specialty Online Retailers
Dedicated sellers focus exclusively on wood fuel and often provide more detailed information about species, moisture content, and BTU output. Tinderpro.com and Firewood-for-Life.com both ship bulk orders nationwide. There are also regional suppliers that cater to specific parts of the country, so a quick search for delivery in your zip code can turn up excellent local options.
Types of Wood and How to Choose
Not all logs burn the same way. Hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple produce long-lasting coals and high heat output, making them the top pick for heating a home or cooking. Softwoods such as pine and spruce ignite quickly and work well as kindling, but they burn faster and leave more creosote buildup in chimneys. For an outdoor fire pit, a mix of both types gives you easy ignition plus sustained warmth throughout the evening.
Always look for seasoned or kiln-dried wood. Freshly cut (“green”) logs contain too much moisture, which leads to poor combustion, heavy smoke, and low heat. Properly dried wood has visible cracks on the ends, feels lighter than green wood of the same size, and produces a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together.
Can I Make My Own Firewood?
You can, provided you have access to trees on your own property and permission to fell them. After cutting, the logs need to be split and then dried for six to twelve months before they burn efficiently. The process requires a chainsaw, a splitting maul or hydraulic splitter, and covered storage space. For most households, purchasing ready-to-burn wood from one of the retailers listed above is far more practical than processing raw timber. If you already own the right outdoor equipment, however, harvesting your own supply can cut costs significantly over time.
Storage and Safety Tips
Stack your wood supply off the ground on a pallet or rack to prevent moisture absorption from the soil. Keep the stack at least 20 feet from your home to reduce the risk of pest migration indoors. Cover the top with a tarp but leave the sides exposed so air can circulate and continue the drying process. Before burning indoors, make sure your chimney or flue has been inspected within the past year. Creosote buildup from repeated use is a leading cause of chimney fires, and an annual cleaning keeps your household safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cord of firewood cost?
A full cord (128 cubic feet of stacked wood) typically costs between $150 and $500 depending on the species, region, and time of year. Hardwoods like oak and hickory command higher prices than softwoods. Ordering in late spring or summer, before peak demand, often brings the best deals.
What is the difference between seasoned and kiln-dried wood?
Seasoned wood has been air-dried outdoors for six months or longer, reaching a moisture content around 20%. Kiln-dried wood is heated in a controlled oven to reach similar or lower moisture levels in just days. Kiln-dried logs ignite more easily and are less likely to harbor insects, but they cost more per bundle.
Is it legal to transport wood across state lines?
Many states restrict the movement of unprocessed logs to prevent the spread of invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer. Check your state’s department of agriculture website before moving wood more than 50 miles from its source. Buying locally or choosing kiln-dried, USDA-certified products avoids this issue entirely.