How to Make Great Coffee While Camping: Easy Methods for Every Setup
Your guide to outdoor brewing — from cowboy coffee to AeroPress.
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Cowboy brewing coffee over an open fire using a Maxwell House tin—classic camp style.
Brewing Coffee Outdoors, the Easy Way
How to make coffee while camping doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you're waking up next to a river or rolling out of your tent on a chilly morning, a good cup of coffee can change your whole day. This guide breaks down the best camping coffee methods—from quick single-serve pour overs to rich French press brews and classic cowboy coffee. I’ve included gear I actually use, simple steps, and what works best depending on how you camp.
Table of Contents
Cowboy Coffee: The Classic Method
Using a French Press: Gourmet Coffee in the Wild
AeroPress: The Modern Camper's Choice
Single-Serve Options: Quick and Easy Coffee
Pour Over Coffee: Bringing Café Quality to Campsites
Portable Coffee Makers: High-Tech Solutions
My Go-To Camp Mug
Pro Tip: No matter how I’m making coffee—cowboy, pour-over, or AeroPress—I always bring the same mug. The Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall 450 Mug is lightweight, durable, and perfect for everything from cowboy coffee to espresso shots. I’ve used mine for years.
1. Cowboy Coffee: The Classic Method
Cowboy coffee while camping is a tried-and-true method used by outdoorsmen for generations. It's simple, requires no special equipment, and can be made right over the campfire.
History of Cowboy Coffee:
Cowboy coffee originated in the American West during the mid-1800s. It was a staple among cowboys, ranchers, and settlers who traveled long distances with limited supplies. Without access to modern coffee-making equipment, they used simple methods to brew coffee over open fires.
How to Make Cowboy Coffee:
Boil Water: Heat water in a pot over your campfire until it comes to a rolling boil.
Add Coffee Grounds: Remove the pot from the heat and add a handful of coffee grounds (about 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water).
Stir and Steep: Stir the coffee grounds into the water and let it steep for about 4-5 minutes.
Settle the Grounds: Sprinkle a small amount of cold water on top to help the grounds settle.
Pour and Enjoy: Carefully pour the coffee into your mug, avoiding the grounds.
Recommended Gear:
Snow Peak Trek 700 Titanium — lightweight, durable,
and great for boiling water over a campfire or stove.
Tips for Perfecting Cowboy Coffee:
Use coarse grounds to avoid a gritty texture
Steep longer for stronger coffee
Pour slowly to leave most of the grounds behind
2. French Press Coffee for Camping: Bold Flavor, Simple Brew
If you like rich, full-bodied coffee, a French press is a solid choice for camping, even at camp. It’s bulkier to pack, but worth it for flavor.
Packing a French Press for Camping:
Choose a durable, camp-ready French press (like stainless steel)
Wrap it in a towel to avoid dings and damage
How to Brew with a French Press:
Boil water with your kettle or stove
Add coarse coffee grounds (2 Tbsp per 8 oz of water)
Pour hot water, stir, and steep for 4 minutes
Slowly press the plunger and pour
Recommended Gear:
Snow Peak Titanium French Press —
lightweight, packable, and makes some seriously good camp coffee.
Cleanup Tips:
Rinse it right away with water
Use biodegradable soap when possible
3. AeroPress Coffee Outdoors: Fast and Compact
Compact, lightweight, and versatile—the AeroPress camping method is a favorite for backpackers and vanlifers alike.
Why AeroPress Works So Well Outdoors:
Packs small
Cleans up fast
Brews in 1–2 minutes
How to Brew with AeroPress:
Rinse your filter and set the AeroPress on a mug
Add 1 scoop (about 14g) of coffee
Pour hot water to the marked line
Stir for 10 seconds and press slowly
4. Single-Serve Coffee for Camping: Quick and Easy
Perfect for hikers or early risers, single-serve camping coffee gets you caffeine with zero fuss.
What Counts as Single-Serve?
Instant coffee packets
Coffee steeping bags
Single-use pour-over packets
Kuju Coffee’s Basecamp Blend – single-serve pour over coffee that’s easy to pack and full of flavor.
Top Pick: Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour Over Packets I discovered this brand—and this method—while staying at Postcard Cabins. It was easy and better than most coffees I’ve had at camp: no mess, no equipment, just hot water and a mug.
Basecamp Blend, Bold Awakening, and Angels Landing flavors
Packs light
Brews straight into your mug
Pros:
No mess
No cleanup
Good flavor
Cons:
Pricier per cup
Not the same richness as fresh-ground options
5. Pour Over Coffee While Camping: Café-Level Flavor Outdoors
Brewing camp coffee with the Snow Peak Field Barista Coffee Drip—our go-to setup for pour over mornings at camp.
If you love the flavor and aroma of café-style coffee, pour over coffee while camping delivers.
What You Need:
Collapsible pour-over dripper
Coffee filters
Fresh grounds
Hot water
Steps:
Place filter in dripper and set over mug
Add grounds (2 Tbsp per 8 oz water)
Pour hot water slowly in circles, let it drip through
Done in 3–4 minutes
Recommended Gear:
Snow Peak Field Barista Coffee Drip —
A durable, beautiful pour-over setup built for the outdoors.
6. Portable Espresso Makers for Camp: High-Tech Coffee Solutions
Want espresso in the woods? These portable coffee makers for camping are next-level.
Wacaco Nanopresso
Handpresso Pump
Minipresso
Or you can go old-school with the Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker. This is the one I use at home and some car campsites. It’s classic, no-fuss, and makes great espresso.
→ Shop the Bialetti Moka Pot at Amazon
How They Work:
Add coffee grounds
Add hot water
Pump manually (or use stovetop pressure) to brew directly into a cup
Upsides:
Solid espresso outdoors
Lightweight
Built-in cup (for some models)
Downsides:
More expensive (except the moka pot)
Requires maintenance
Final Thoughts
There’s no one right way to make coffee outdoors. Some mornings you want a quick pour-over. Others, you’ve got time to break out the French press. Try a few and see what fits your camp style.
Got a favorite method not listed here? Let us know.
