The only thing better than spending the night outdoors is waking up, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, and listening to the sounds of nature.
Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your coffee routine! While you won’t be hauling your Keurig or fancy espresso machine into the backcountry or to the campground, you’ll still be able to enjoy a tasty cup of joe in the morning.
In this guide, I’m breaking down the best ways to make camp coffee. With both simple, lightweight methods and more “bougie,” heavier setups, you’ll be able to apply these methods to your next camping trip or backcountry adventure.
Once you dial in your camping coffee setup, your morning routine is about to be elevated. You’ll be able to crawl out of your tent on a cool morning, prep your coffee, and wrap your hands around a warm mug as you watch the landscape wake up.
Let’s get brewing!
Best Ways to Make Trail & Camp Coffee
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Instant Coffee
I’m going to kick this list off with the classic: instant coffee!
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. This isn’t the best, most delicious type of coffee out there.
While it’s certainly not the best coffee, there are actually some pretty decent instant coffees out there now. And you can’t beat how lightweight it is!
Simply add the instant coffee to a mug of boiling water, and you’re done! This is definitely the best option for backpackers, as it’s lightweight, quick, convenient, and has virtually no cleanup.
Pour-over
Next up, pour-over! You have a couple of different options when it comes to pour-over.
One, you can buy single-serve pour-overs.
This option is more convenient for backpackers because all you need is the single-use bag and hot water.
Simply slip the bag over the rim of your mug, boil water, and pour the hot water over the bag to let the grounds slowly seep into your mug.
Two, you can buy a reusable pour-over.
This version of a pour-over is reusable, making it super sustainable. But due to the larger size and weight of this one, this is a better option for car campers.
Pour the ground coffee into the pour-over, add hot water, and the coffee will begin to seep into your mug. Just rinse out the pour-over when you’re done!
French Press
Okay, now we’re getting fancy! You have two main options for French Press camp coffee.
One, you can get a standard French Press.
This is meant for car campers who aren’t worried about size and weight. These are heavy and bulky!
To make a cup of coffee with the standard French Press, put grounds into the pitcher, add boiling water, and plunge! There’s a little bit of wait time required with this one.
Two, you can get a lightweight backpacking version of a French Press.
Jetboil makes a French Press that is easily compatible with their Jetboil stoves. This is a lighter-weight option, perfect for backpackers who already own a Jetboil.
To make a cup of joe with the Jetboil French Press, boil water, then add coffee grounds and push the plunger down. Once again, there is some wait time required with this one, too.
Aeropress
Aeropress is a great middle ground between ultralight and bougie. It’s heavier than instant coffee but lighter than the standard French Press and pour-over. And it creates a tasty cup of joe!
At just 11.5 ounces, this Aeropress is great for car campers – or even backpackers who prefer the taste over instant coffee and don’t mind the extra weight. But it does create a bit of a mess!
To make coffee with an Aeropress, add a filter to the cap, place the press over the mug, add a scoop of ground coffee, and pour hot water over the grounds. After you let it brew for a bit, plunge the coffee into your mug and remove the puck of grounds.
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