The 7 Best Swinging Camp Chairs
These rocking and swinging camping chairs will be the envy of the campground.
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After a full day in nature, few things are more comfortable than coming back to your campsite, changing into warm clothing, and relaxing in your camp chair.
Of course, it’s the overall experience that’s comfortable. The camp chairs themselves, well, that’s where there’s usually room for improvement. But swinging camp chairs that allow you to rock or recline in them can be the answer, making them one of our favorite pieces of camping gear. Rather than forcing you to sit in one spot for hours, swinging chairs allow you to shift your weight in multiple ways, which can help ease strain on your back, rear, and knees. They can be a bit more expensive than traditional camp chairs, but they're also more versatile. If you spend a lot of time on the sidelines, tailgating, car camping, or hanging at the beach, you’ll likely appreciate the extra comfort afforded by chairs with a little more movement. These are our favorite swinging camp chairs, starting at under $70.
Best Swinging Camp Chairs
The Expert: Suzie Dundas is an avid snowboarder, climber, mountain biker and paddler who lives in the mountains near Lake Tahoe, California, and always has a camp chair in the back of her car for post-activity hang-outs in the sunshine. When she doesn’t have to carry it too far, she usually opts for a rocker chair as they’re generally more comfortable for extended periods of time. As a product reviewer, she’s evaluated and recommended camp gear for publications like TripSavvy, Outsider, Backpackers and more.
Consider This Before Buying Your Swinging Camp Chair
If you’re buying a new camp chair and want swinging or rocking functionality, you should expect to spend a bit more. Adding the ability to rock requires a few extra parts, and since metal is usually the most expensive part of the chair, it drives the cost up. More metal also equals a bigger packed size, so if you’re planning on walking a few miles with your chair, you may be better off opting for a more traditional fixed camp chair.
Rockers are usually a bit more affordable but don’t work as well if you’re trying to lay back and stargaze. If most of your camping is under pavilions or you feel confident in being able to find sturdy trees near your campsite, look for a hammock-style fabric chair, which will weigh less and likely be more comfortable. But remember that there’s often no way to use them without something to mount them on overhead.
Many of the lower cost swinging camp chair options in the $60 to $80 range are very similar—often the only difference is the logo of the brand. Paying a little more, if you can, will get you more useful options, like cupholders and padded arm rests, and sturdier construction that can withstand heavy outdoor use.
How We Evaluated
When selecting these swinging camp chairs, we relied on our own experience testing and using camp chairs. In addition, we researched top options from box stores, online retailers, and outdoor brands. We didn’t include any swinging camp chairs with low ratings, nor did we include any chairs with frequently recurring negative reviews around quality issues like broken pieces or ripped fabrics. We evaluated every chain on its price, value, features, and customer ratings.
Pros
- Low weight
- Reclines very far back
- Padded headrests and armrests
- Carrying case
Cons
- Expensive
- Low seat height
Key Specs:
- Weight: 7 lb.
- Weight Limit: 300 lb.
- Seat Height: 12.6”
There are very few features you won’t find on the Nemo Stargazer. Expensive but highly rated swinging chairs like the Stargazer are equipped with adjustable headrests and padded armrests, cup holders, and legs that let you swing on any surface (unlike a rocking chair). Aside from the fantastic reclining range that truly earns its “stargazer” name, it also weighs in at an ultralight 7 pounds. While it’s still too heavy to backpack with, you won’t be hurting too much if you carry it a mile or so to your local hidden beach or sunset hangout spot.
Pros
- Large size
- Low price
- Light padding
Cons
- No foot rest
- Small armrests
Key Specs:
- Weight: 13 lb.
- Weight Limit: 300 lb.
- Seat Height: Not listed, but reviewers say it’s high
Swinging camp chairs are usually more expensive than more basic folding chairs, so while the Rio Foldable Hammock Chair’s price may seem steep for a standard chair, it’s fairly reasonable for one with the swinging feature. For about $70, buyers get a swinging camp chair with a padded headrest, a simple carrying case, and an oversized seat that can fit users well over six feet tall.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Highly padded
- Easy setup
Cons
- Requires overhead hanging surface
- No pockets or cup holders
Key Specs:
- Weight: 6 lb.
- Weight Limit: 350 lb.
- Seat Height: Variable
If you reliably camp or hang out in areas with well-placed tree branches or covered awnings, you may be able to skip the freestanding options and instead opt for a more comfortable hanging swing chair. This heavily padded chair comes with two pillows and hangs with a hook you can set up in under a minute. It also comes with a storage bag and holds a fairly impressive 350 pounds.
GCI Outdoor CGI Outdoor Waterslide Portable Folding Chair
Pros
- Won’t sink into sand
- Relatively lightweight
- Mesh back
Cons
- Low seat
- No carrying case (built-in handle)
Key Specs:
- Weight: 10 lb.
- Weight Limit: 250 lb.
- Seat Height: 14.8”
If you’re headed to the beach but don’t want to lay on a flat towel all day, consider the CGI Waterside Beach Rocker. Rather than having four feet that would sink into sand, it has two horizontal bars to distribute the chair’s weight across sand for a more solid platform. The mesh back makes it easy to shake off sand when it’s time to go, and the convenient attached cup holder should keep most of the sand out of your beach beverage of choice.
Coastrail Outdoor Coast Trail Outdoor Folding Rocking Chair with Detachable Rockers
Pros
- Convertible rocker legs
- Multiple storage pockets
Cons
- Low seat height
- Minimal rocking range
Key Specs:
- Weight: 16 lb.
- Weight Limit: 350 lb.
- Seat Height: 15.5”
The smartly designed Coast Trail Folding Rocking Chair is two chairs in one: it can serve as your standard collapsible camp chair, but pop on the dual leg attachments, and you’ve suddenly got an outdoor rocking chair. The rockers work best on even surfaces (so not sand or loose dirt). The chair also has a foldable cup holder, big storage pockets, and a lightly padded seat and headrest.
Pros
- Very light
- Inexpensive
- Carrying case
- Great for kids
Cons
- No headrest, armrests, or cupholders
Key Specs:
- Weight: 11.5 lb.
- Weight Limit: 300 lb.
- Seat Height: 12”
Camp chairs, swinging or otherwise, aren’t usually known for being too comfortable, but the Ozark Trail delivers. The large chair holds 300 pounds so it’s sturdy enough for adults, but children and shorter buyers will find it large enough to really curl up in, almost like a real hammock. And since it weighs just 11.5 pounds and folds to the size of a large umbrella, it’s easy to sling on your shoulder when you already have your hands full with camping gear or snacks during halftime at your weekend soccer game. The hammock-style design, however, lacks features like head support or a footrest and has a low seat height.
Pros
- Mounts to car hitch
- Can be used for two chairs or one hammock
- Great for uneven surfaces
Cons
- Heavy
- Chair/hammock must be purchased separately
Key Specs:
- Weight: 50 lb.
- Weight Limit: 300 lb.
- Seat Height: Variable (based on hitch height)
Can’t find a traditional swinging camp chair you like? If your truck or SUV has a hitch, consider the hitch-mount chair or hammock mount from Hammaka. It fits on standard 2-inch receivers and can hold up to 300 pounds; your choice if you’d prefer to hold one hammock or two swinging chairs. The frame weighs 50 pounds, so it takes some effort to install and remove. But aside from the weight, it only takes a minute or two to attach or remove, so you can throw it in your trunk and put it on your car when you arrive at your campsite.
Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com. She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine, SkyLife Magazine, Playboy, Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com. Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com.
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