Guide

How to Make Coffee while Camping

Five simple ways to make great coffee while camping, from instant and coffee bags to cowboy coffee and pour-overs, plus the gear that makes each one work.

CampingKnow team ยท Updated 2026-06-15

Coffee and camping belong together. A steaming cup is what turns a cold, breezy morning at the campsite into something you actually want to wake up for, right alongside the campfire and an easy camp breakfast.

The good news is that you do not need a kitchen to brew a solid cup outdoors. There are plenty of ways to do it, from dead-simple methods that fit in a backpack to slower, more elaborate setups for people who care about every detail. This guide walks through five easy methods to make coffee while camping, what each one is best for, and the gear that makes it work.

Instant Coffee

Instant coffee is the go-to choice for many campers because it is lightweight, easy to find, and easy to pack. It saves both space and weight, and a single sachet is usually enough to suffice per person. The only real knock against it is taste, since instant coffee has not always had the best reputation in the cup.

That has changed a lot. There are now several brands of instant coffee good enough to give you a genuinely enjoyable cup even out in the field. A few of the most recommended are Alpine Start and Mt. Hagan, along with the popular coffee-and-creamer combination from Laird Superfood Instant Coffee.

Method: instructions vary slightly from brand to brand, but the basic idea is the same. Put the instant coffee powder in a cup, pour boiling water over it, stir, and that is it. That is all it takes to brew a flavorful, steaming cup of coffee while camping.

Coffee in a Bag

We all know how teabags work, and that same simple idea has been carried over to coffee. Coffee in a bag is not a new concept. For a long time Folgers singles were about the only option, but a number of startups now make camp-friendly coffee bags as well.

The appeal is that you get the flavor of steeped coffee rather than just an instant cup, with almost none of the mess or gear. It packs flat and is a great fit for backpacking and camping.

Method: place a coffee bag into your cup and fill it with hot water. Let it steep until the coffee reaches the strength you like, then remove the bag. Your hot cup of coffee is ready to enjoy at camp.

Cowboy Coffee

This method is ideal for anyone who wants to brew real coffee at the campsite without relying on the quick, instant approaches above. When it comes to coffee gear, cowboy coffee is about the simplest way to make camp coffee, since it needs little more than a pot of water and grounds.

Fine grounds are recommended here for easier, less messy brewing. The most popular technique is known as the Scoop Top Method.

Method: heat a kettle of water until it is boiling. Once it is boiling, remove the kettle from the heat and stir in the fine coffee grounds. Return the kettle to low heat and let it simmer, which brings the grounds to the surface. Skim and scoop the grounds off the top, and you have a steaming cup of freshly brewed camp coffee.

Pour-Over Stand

This method is for campers who care more about the quality and cost per use of their coffee than about pure convenience. A pour-over stand is easy to use but sits on the costlier side, and it rewards you with a clean, controlled brew.

Pour-over stands were traditionally made from ceramic, but there are now plenty of compact, lightweight options built for the outdoors. The GSI Ultralight Java Drip, GSI Collapsible Java Drip, and Kalita Wave Dripper are all easy to find, pack down small, and are ideal for camping groups of about two to four people.

Method: take a paper or cloth filter, fill it with coffee grounds, and set it over your cup. Heat water in a kettle until it is nearly boiling, then slowly pour it into the filter in a circular motion. A kettle is best here because it delivers a smooth, steady stream of water without dribbling, which is critical to a good pour-over.

Single Serving Pour-Overs

Single serving pour-overs sit nicely in the middle. They are a step up from instant and cowboy coffee in quality, but easier and more cost-effective than a full pour-over stand.

These are designed specifically for campers by brands like the Kuju Pocket Pour Over, Libra Coffee Pourtables, and Tribo Coffee. They come in a lightweight package and have become a popular, appealing alternative to both pour-over stands and instant coffee. They are ideal for backpacking, camping, and anyone who wants better coffee than instant while still saving space and weight.

Method: each single-use pour-over has a paper frame and a pouch filled with coffee grounds. Extend the paper frame so it rests on the rim of your cup, then pour the desired amount of boiling water through the pouch just like a normal pour-over. Remove the pouch and enjoy.

Gear That Helps

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to make coffee while camping?

Instant coffee and coffee bags are the easiest. With instant, you just add the powder to a cup and pour boiling water over it. With a coffee bag, you steep it in hot water like tea and remove it. Both are lightweight, packable, and need almost no gear.

What is the best method for good-tasting camp coffee?

A pour-over stand or a single serving pour-over generally gives the best taste. Pour-overs deliver a clean, controlled brew, while cowboy coffee is a great budget option if you do not mind a few grounds in the cup.

Do I need a kettle to make coffee while camping?

Not always, but it helps. A kettle gives you a smooth, steady stream of water, which is critical for cowboy coffee and for pour-overs where dribbling can ruin the brew. Any way to boil water will work for instant coffee and coffee bags.

What is cowboy coffee?

Cowboy coffee is the simplest way to brew real coffee at camp. You boil water, stir in fine grounds, simmer briefly so the grounds rise to the surface, then skim them off. It needs minimal gear and gives you a full-bodied cup.

Which coffee method is best for backpacking?

Instant coffee, coffee bags, and single serving pour-overs are best for backpacking because they pack flat, weigh next to nothing, and need very little equipment to use.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are a dedicated coffee enthusiast, a frequent camper, or a beginner heading out for the first time, one of these five methods will get you a hot cup in the morning. Match the method to your trip, pick the gear that fits how you camp, and you will never have to skip your coffee in the wild again.