Camp Coffee, it's a MUST

A hot cup of coffee at camp isn’t just a luxury—it’s emotional support. And according to one of the Camp L.A. cofounders (our resident coffee snob), bad camp coffee can absolutely ruin morale before 8 a.m.

Because let’s be honest: waking up cold, slightly damp, and mildly confused in the outdoors is significantly easier when there’s a strong cup of coffee involved.

The good news? Making great coffee at camp doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a full café setup strapped to your backpack (unless that’s your thing). You just need a few basics, decent beans, and enough commitment to boil water before fully opening your eyes.

At Camp L.A., we believe camp coffee should feel less like survival and more like a tiny morning ritual worth getting out of your sleeping bag for. Whether you’re brewing with a French press, pour-over, AeroPress, or whatever questionable setup your friend insists is “better,” the fundamentals are all the same: good coffee, good water, and patience before caffeine.

The Three Things That Actually Matter

1. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

Too much water? Sad, watery disappointment.
Too much coffee? Anxiety in a mug.

A good rule of thumb:
2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 oz of water.

Or do what our cofounder does and pre-portion your beans before the trip like you’re preparing a science experiment nobody asked for.

2. Grind Size

Yes, apparently this matters.

Coarse grounds work best for longer brewing methods like French press. Finer grounds brew faster for pour-over or espresso-style coffee. Basically, if your coffee tastes bitter, sour, or like dirt water, the grind might be the problem.

And yes, fresh-ground coffee tastes better. Our coffee snob cofounder would like that officially noted.

3. Water

Coffee is mostly water, which means weird-tasting water = weird-tasting coffee.

Use filtered or clean spring water if possible. And don’t pour boiling water directly onto your grounds unless your goal is “burnt regret.” Let the water cool for about 30 seconds after boiling before brewing.

Camp Coffee Essentials

The “absolutely necessary” category:

• Coffee beans or grounds
• Coffee maker of choice
• Kettle or pot
• Mug you’re emotionally attached to
• Spoon
• Water
• Caffeine dependency

Optional but Highly Encouraged

Because we’re trying to enjoy ourselves here:

• Portable grinder
• Fancy beans
• Camp chair for dramatic morning staring
• Blanket
• Pastry that somehow got crushed in the cooler

And please—for the love of nature and everyone sharing the campsite—follow Leave No Trace. Pack out your grounds, filters, and coffee waste. Wildlife does not need caffeine.

At the end of the day, camp coffee is less about perfection and more about the ritual: cold mornings, fresh air, sleepy conversations, and finally becoming human again after the first sip.