Making great coffee while camping does not have to be complicated. You do not need a full kitchen, an expensive coffee setup, or even electricity. With the right grind, hot water, and a brewing method that fits the way you camp, you can make a cup outdoors that is every bit as satisfying as the one you make at home.
Whether you are tent camping, traveling in an RV, boondocking, or waking up before a day on the trail, these six easy camping coffee methods cover everything from a simple pour-over to old-school cowboy coffee.
If you are still deciding what coffee to bring, start with our guide to choosing the best coffee for camping, then use this article to pick the brewing method that fits your trip.
Start With Three Basics: Coffee, Water, and Grind Size
Before choosing a brewer, get the basics right. A good starting coffee-to-water ratio is about 1 part coffee to 16 parts water by weight. You can make it stronger or lighter from there based on taste.
Grind size matters too. As a quick rule:
- Coarse: French press, percolator, cowboy coffee
- Medium: pour-over and drip coffee makers
- Medium-fine: a common starting point for AeroPress
Use clean, good-tasting water whenever possible. If the campground water has a strong mineral or chlorine taste, filtered or bottled water can make a noticeable difference in the finished cup.
1. French Press: Easy, Rich, and No Electricity Needed
A French press is one of the best all-around camping coffee methods because it is simple, forgiving, and does not require electricity. All you need is the press, coarse-ground coffee, and hot water.
What You Need
- French press
- Coarse-ground coffee
- Hot water
- Spoon or stirrer
How to Brew It
- Heat your water until it is just off the boil.
- Add coarse-ground coffee to the French press.
- Pour in the hot water and make sure all the grounds are saturated.
- Give it a gentle stir.
- Place the lid on top without pressing the plunger down.
- Let the coffee steep for about four minutes.
- Press the plunger down slowly and evenly.
- Pour the coffee into your mug right away.
For a rich, full-bodied French press at camp, Sumatra is a great fit, with dark chocolate, dried fruit, and an earthy profile. If you prefer an even bolder camp-style cup, Cowboy Blend brings cocoa, caramel, and vanilla tones.
Best for: RV camping, car camping, couples, and anyone who wants a full-bodied cup without electricity.
2. Pour-Over: Lightweight and Great for Flavor
Pour-over coffee is an excellent option if you want a clean, flavorful cup without carrying much equipment. A plastic or metal dripper can take up very little space in an RV cabinet or camping bin.
What You Need
- Pour-over dripper
- Paper or reusable filter
- Medium-ground coffee
- Kettle or pot for heating water
- Mug
How to Brew It
- Place the dripper over your mug and insert the filter.
- If using a paper filter, rinse it with hot water first and discard the rinse water.
- Add medium-ground coffee.
- Pour in just enough hot water to wet all the grounds.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Continue pouring slowly in small circles until you reach your desired amount.
- Let the water finish draining, remove the dripper, and enjoy.
Pour-over brewing is especially good for coffees with distinct tasting notes. Our Colombia has dried orange, berry, and chocolate notes, while Peru brings salted caramel, silky sweetness, and citrus.
Best for: solo campers, hikers, minimalists, and anyone who enjoys tasting the individual character of a coffee.
3. AeroPress: Compact, Fast, and Easy to Clean
The AeroPress has become popular with travelers for a reason. It is compact, durable, fast, and easy to clean. It is particularly useful when you are making one cup at a time.
What You Need
- AeroPress
- AeroPress filter
- Medium-fine ground coffee
- Hot water
- Mug
How to Brew It
- Place a filter in the cap and rinse it if you are using a paper filter.
- Attach the cap and place the AeroPress over a sturdy mug.
- Add your coffee.
- Pour in hot water.
- Stir according to your preferred recipe.
- Insert the plunger and press slowly.
- Stop when you hear the final hiss of air.
There are countless AeroPress recipes, so it is worth testing yours at home before a trip. Once you find a ratio and steep time you like, save it on your phone or write it on a note you keep with your camping coffee gear.
For an easy everyday choice, RV Morning Blend is a smooth medium roast built from Central and South American coffees and works well for travelers who want one versatile coffee for several different brewing styles.
Best for: one-person brewing, van life, RV travel, backpacking setups where space matters, and fast cleanup.
4. Camp Percolator: Classic Coffee for a Group
A stovetop percolator is a camping classic. It is especially useful when you are making several cups at once and want something durable enough to use on a camp stove.
What You Need
- Stovetop percolator
- Coarse or medium-coarse coffee
- Water
- Camp stove or other permitted heat source
How to Brew It
- Add water to the lower chamber of the percolator.
- Add coffee to the basket.
- Assemble the percolator and place it over moderate heat.
- Watch for the coffee to begin perking.
- Reduce the heat so it perks gently rather than boiling aggressively.
- Let it brew to your preferred strength, then remove it from the heat.
The biggest mistake with a percolator is leaving it on high heat for too long. Gentle brewing helps avoid the burnt or overly bitter flavor that gives percolated coffee a bad reputation.
A bold coffee such as Cowboy Blend holds up well in this method and fits the traditional camping feel perfectly.
Best for: families, groups, camp breakfasts, and people who enjoy traditional campsite coffee.
5. Cowboy Coffee: The Simplest Campfire Method
Cowboy coffee is coffee stripped down to the basics: a pot, water, grounds, and heat. There is no filter and no special brewer.
What You Need
- Pot or camping kettle
- Coarse-ground coffee
- Water
- Camp stove or permitted fire
- Mug
How to Brew It
- Heat the water in your pot.
- Remove it from strong heat once the water is hot.
- Add coarse-ground coffee.
- Let the coffee steep for several minutes.
- Give the grounds time to settle toward the bottom.
- Pour slowly so most of the grounds remain in the pot.
It is rustic, simple, and part of the fun is that every camper seems to have a slightly different version of the method.
This is exactly the kind of brewing our Cowboy Blend was made for. Its dark-and-medium roast profile delivers cocoa, caramel, and vanilla tones that pair naturally with a campfire breakfast.
Best for: traditional camping, minimal gear, campfire mornings, and anyone who wants the classic outdoor coffee experience.
6. RV Coffee Maker or Pod Brewer: Home-Style Convenience on the Road
If you travel in an RV, you may not need to change your routine at all. When you have shore power, a generator, or an electrical system that can comfortably support the appliance, a drip coffee maker or pod brewer can be the easiest option.
Drip Coffee Maker
For a standard drip brewer, use medium-ground coffee and follow the machine's normal water measurements. A balanced coffee such as RV Morning Blend makes this an easy everyday RV setup.
Pod Brewer
If you prefer the convenience of pods, our Peru Coffee Pods offer a medium-roast single-origin option with salted caramel and citrus notes.
When you are boondocking, remember that electric heating appliances can use a significant amount of power. A French press, AeroPress, or pour-over is a great backup because those methods only require a safe way to heat water.
Best for: RVers who value convenience and already have a suitable electrical setup.
Which Camping Coffee Method Should You Choose?
The best method depends more on how you camp than on which brewer is considered “best.”
- Want the easiest rich coffee? Choose a French press.
- Want the lightest simple setup? Choose pour-over.
- Want one quick cup and easy cleanup? Choose AeroPress.
- Brewing for several people? Use a percolator.
- Want the classic outdoor experience? Make cowboy coffee.
- Traveling in an RV with dependable power? Use your drip or pod brewer.
Tips That Make Any Camping Coffee Better
Pre-Measure Your Coffee
Before leaving home, portion out what you expect to use each day. This makes campsite mornings faster and keeps you from carrying more than you need.
Keep Coffee Airtight
Store your coffee in a tightly sealed bag or container away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. RV cabinets near windows or exterior walls can get surprisingly warm.
Bring a Backup Brewing Method
A simple pour-over cone or AeroPress takes up very little space. If your electric brewer cannot be used or your main brewer breaks, you still get your morning coffee.
Pack Out Coffee Grounds
Do not dump used coffee grounds around your campsite. Treat them like food waste and dispose of them according to campground or land-management rules.
Check Fire Restrictions
Never assume a campfire or open-flame stove is allowed. Fire restrictions can change with conditions. Use only permitted equipment and never use an outdoor stove, charcoal device, or open flame inside an RV or enclosed tent.
Not Sure Which Coffee to Take Camping?
If you want to experiment with several flavors and brewing methods, the Mountain Trail Coffee Best Sellers Sample Pack is an easy place to start. It includes six 2-ounce samples, including Cowboy, Breakfast, Peru, Mexico, Bali, and 6 Bean Blend.
Try different coffees in your French press, pour-over, or AeroPress and see which one earns a permanent place in your camping setup.
Make the Morning Part of the Adventure
Camping coffee does not need to be perfect. Some of the best cups are the ones you drink outside while the campsite is still quiet, the sun is coming over the mountains, and the rest of the day is still ahead of you.
Pick a brewing method that matches the way you travel, bring a coffee you genuinely enjoy, and keep the setup simple enough that making coffee becomes part of the experience instead of another chore.
That is what Mountain Trail Coffee Company is all about: great coffee for mornings that start outdoors.
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