How to Make Coffee While Camping: 3 Easy Methods

There’s something about drinking coffee outdoors that just makes it taste better.

Maybe it’s the cool morning air, the sound of a nearby river, or simply having nowhere else to be. But while camping coffee can be one of the best parts of waking up outside, you don’t need to settle for mediocre coffee just because you’re away from your kitchen.

With the right coffee and a few simple tools, you can make a genuinely great cup almost anywhere.

Whether you’re setting up camp for the weekend, heading into the backcountry, or waking up before a long day on the trail, here are three of our favorite ways to make coffee while camping: Kalita Wave, AeroPress, and Instant Coffee.

Method #1: Kalita Wave for the Campsite Coffee Ritual

If you love the ritual of making pour-over coffee at home, there’s no reason to leave it behind when you go camping.

The Kalita Wave is one of our favorite pour-over methods because it creates an even extraction and a clean, balanced cup while keeping the brewing process relatively simple.

For a step-by-step recipe, follow our official Brew Guide: Pour Over with the Kalita Wave 185

You can also read For the Love of Pour Over Coffee and Adventure, where we share the story of Rie Sawada taking pour-over coffee on a 3,400-mile bikepacking journey across Europe:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/blogs/nossa-familia-blog/pour-over-coffee-by-bike

[PRODUCT IMAGE — Kalita Wave 185 Pour Over Gift Set]

Bring your pour-over ritual outdoors.

Shop the Kalita Wave 185 Pour Over Gift Set:
https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/products/kalita-wave-185-pour-over-gift-set

Method #2: AeroPress for Coffee on the Go

If you want something compact, durable, and versatile, an AeroPress is one of the easiest coffee makers to throw into your camping gear.

Its lightweight design makes it especially useful when you don’t want to bring a full pour-over setup.

Portable brewing has been part of Nossa Familia adventures for years. In our Have Coffee, Will Travel Giveaway, we featured an AeroPress as part of a travel coffee kit built specifically for camping and exploring:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/blogs/nossa-familia-blog/have-coffee-will-travel

AeroPress has also been a favorite among coffee professionals we’ve worked with. In Coffee Talk with Brazil’s Barista Champ, Rafael Godoy shared why AeroPress was one of his preferred ways to brew coffee:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/blogs/nossa-familia-blog/brazil-barista-champion

[PRODUCT IMAGE — AeroPress Coffee Maker Original]

A compact coffee maker made for adventure.

Shop the AeroPress:
https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/products/aeropress-coffee-maker-original

Method #3: Instant Coffee for the Easiest Camping Coffee

Sometimes the best camping coffee setup is the one that barely requires a setup at all.

If you’re backpacking, trying to minimize gear, or simply don't want to clean brewing equipment at your campsite, Instant Coffee is hard to beat.

Just heat your water, add the coffee, stir, and enjoy.

Nossa Familia's Full Cycle Instant Coffee makes it possible to bring great coffee along without taking up valuable room in your pack.

[PRODUCT IMAGE — Full Cycle Instant Coffee]

Shop Full Cycle Instant Coffee:
https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/collections/steeped-single-serve/products/instant-coffee-6-pack

If you’re curious about the broader impact behind Full Cycle, our 2025 B Corp Report shares more about how Full Cycle supports nonprofits focused on bicycles and outdoor access:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/blogs/nossa-familia-blog/our-2025-b-corp-report-using-coffee-as-a-force-for-good

Should You Bring Whole Bean or Ground Coffee Camping?

If you're serious about getting the best flavor possible, whole bean coffee gives you the most control.

Grinding immediately before brewing helps preserve the coffee's aromas and flavors until you're ready to make your cup.

For car camping, cabins, or RV trips, whole bean coffee is usually worth the extra gear.

If you're heading farther into the backcountry, grinding your coffee before the trip can make your setup much lighter.

And if you want to understand how origin and processing affect flavor, read our guide to Washed vs Natural Coffee Processing Methods:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/blogs/nossa-familia-blog/washed-vs-natural-whats-the-deal-with-coffee-processing-methods

Explore Nossa Familia whole bean coffees:

https://www.nossacoffee.sbs/collections/coffee

Don't Forget the Water

Coffee is mostly water, which means the water you use at your campsite can make a surprisingly big difference.

If the water at your campsite doesn't taste good on its own, it probably won't make great coffee either.

When possible, bring filtered water or properly treat water collected outdoors before using it for brewing.

The National Park Service provides guidance on treating backcountry water:

https://www.nps.gov/articles/2wayspurifywater.htm

For most brewing methods, water around 195–205°F works well.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

Great camping coffee shouldn't leave a mess behind.

Coffee grounds, filters, instant coffee packaging, and other waste should leave the campsite with you.

Even though coffee grounds are organic, they are still food waste and shouldn't be scattered around natural areas.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recommends packing out food scraps and other waste: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-properly/