For a more rustic “always been there” fire pit, build the base by permanently laying a circle of fieldstones, then place a metal fire bowl in the middle. Keep a supply of wool blankets on hand ...
Change that logic by lighting up a Swedish torch. This traditional fire building technique calls for stacking wood vertically inside your pit. It burns from the top down and from the center outwards.
And if you're up for a fun DIY project, you can create a custom campfire and seating area on your own with wood pallets. Building a fire pit and seating aren't as hard as they may sound.