Coffee in the Wild: How to Brew at the Campsite

We’re going to say it up front: this post is a little bit of coffee blasphemy. Out in the wild, you don’t always have the perfect grind size, precise water temp, or your trusty espresso machine. And that’s okay—because when you’ve just rolled out of a sleeping bag after a night on the ground, any coffee is amazing coffee.

So let’s talk about the best ways to brew when you’re camping. Spoiler: some are better than others, but all will make that sunrise a whole lot sweeter.

1. The Classic Percolator
You’ve probably seen one of these enamel pots sitting over a campfire in old westerns. Percolators aren’t subtle—they bubble and boil coffee through a metal basket until it’s strong enough to stand on its own. The result is bold, sometimes bitter, but undeniably nostalgic. Perfect if you like your coffee with a side of cowboy grit. Choose darker roasts with bold flavors with a course grind.

2. The French Press
This is my go to if weight is not an consideration. French press coffee is amazing sitting next to a fire watching the sun come up. I would avoid the delicate glass presses and go for a solid stainless steel press. Add your coarse grounds, pour in hot water, wait a few minutes, and plunge. The downside? Cleaning it in the woods is a little messy. The upside? Smooth, full-bodied coffee under the trees feels downright luxurious.

3. Pour Over (a.k.a. Fancy Camping)
If you can’t imagine giving up pour over, you’re in luck. Collapsible silicone or metal pour-over cones exist for the outdoorsy barista. You’ll need a way to heat water and some paper filters, but you’ll be rewarded with a cleaner, lighter cup—even at the campsite. Stanley makes a great pour over kit that's pretty rugged and can make a great cup of coffee.

4. Instant Coffee: The Survival Brew
This one is tough. It’s not cool, it’s not fancy, but it’s fast and light. Tear open a packet (or two), stir it into hot water, and boom—coffee. When you’re bleary-eyed at dawn and breaking down camp, sometimes that’s all you need. Pro tip: pack a brand you actually like. There are some surprisingly good specialty instant coffees out there now. Our friends at Verve Coffee carry a few instant options including one of their popular Streetlevel blend that is about as close to craft coffee as you can get in instant. If you're looking for a lower cost option I prefer Taster's Choice instant coffee over the burnt others. One day Soul Caffeine will release an instant coffee because we need better instant coffee!

5. The Cowboy Method
This one’s pure wilderness. Toss your grounds straight into a pot of boiling water, wait a few minutes, then pour (or scoop) carefully to avoid swallowing half the grounds. Is it refined? No. Is it strong and oddly satisfying when you’re sitting by a fire in the woods? Absolutely. If you want to put a Turkish spin on this grind the coffee very fine and it will yield a smoother coffee with a huge punch.

At the End of the Trail
Will these methods win you barista competitions? No. Will they taste amazing after a night on the hard ground with the sunrise on your face? 100% yes. Coffee outdoors isn’t about perfection—it’s about comfort, warmth, and a little boost to get you hiking again.

So pack the beans, bring a pot, and embrace a little coffee blasphemy. Out there, every sip feels like the best cup you’ve ever had.