Short answer: the easiest way to make coffee while camping is to boil water on a small stove and use instant coffee or a pour-over cone. For a fuller cup, use a French press. No gear at all? Make cowboy coffee: grounds straight in the pot, let them settle, and pour slowly.
Here are six ways to make coffee at camp, from easiest to most hands-on, plus a few tips for a better cup.
What you need for any method
- A way to boil water. A mini camping stove ($22.99) screws onto a gas canister (sold separately), lights with a push button and packs into its own small case.
- A small pot or kettle.
- A flat surface. A folding camp table keeps the stove level and your mug off the dirt.
- Coffee and a mug.
1. Instant coffee (easiest)
Boil water, stir in instant coffee, done. Instant has come a long way, and some brands taste close to brewed coffee. It's the lightest option for backpacking and the fastest on a cold morning.
2. Coffee bags
Coffee bags work like tea bags. Drop one in a mug of hot water and let it steep for about 4 to 5 minutes. No filter, no cleanup beyond the bag.
3. Pour-over cone
A small plastic or collapsible pour-over cone sits on top of your mug. Add a paper filter and ground coffee, then pour hot water slowly in circles. A common starting point is about 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water (roughly 2 tablespoons per 8 oz cup).
Tip: let the water sit for 30 seconds after it boils before pouring.
4. French press
Add coarse grounds, pour in hot water, wait about 4 minutes, then press. A travel French press makes a rich cup and doubles as a mug. Pack out the used grounds.
5. Percolator
The classic campfire coffee pot. Water bubbles up through a basket of grounds again and again. Keep the heat low to medium so it gently perks instead of boiling hard, which makes coffee bitter. Good for making several cups at once.
6. Cowboy coffee (no gear needed)
- Bring water to a boil in a pot, then take it off the heat.
- Stir in coarse grounds, about 2 tablespoons per 8 oz of water.
- Let it sit for about 4 minutes.
- Splash in a little cold water to help the grounds sink.
- Pour slowly so the grounds stay at the bottom.
Tips for better camp coffee
- Grind at home and pack the grounds in an airtight bag.
- Bring a windscreen or set the stove behind your cooler. Wind steals heat and slows boiling.
- At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature, so give it a bit more brew time.
- Pack out your grounds. Coffee grounds are trash at camp, not compost.
- Use the stove outdoors only, never in a tent.
FAQ
What is the best way to make coffee when camping?
It depends on how much gear you want to carry. Instant or coffee bags are the lightest. A pour-over cone gives a cleaner cup. A French press gives a richer one.
Can I make coffee without a stove?
You can heat water over a campfire where fires are allowed, or make cold brew the night before by steeping grounds in cold water for 12 hours or more.
How do I make cowboy coffee without grounds in my cup?
Let it sit a few minutes after stirring, add a splash of cold water, and pour slowly. Leave the last bit in the pot.
Set up your camp kitchen: see the Camp Kitchen collection, or get ideas for easy camp stove meals. Every order ships free to the US, and 3 or more items get 15% off automatically at checkout. Most orders arrive in 7–15 business days.