Camping is a ton of fun, but it’s not always the most comfortable. After a long day of hiking and exploring the wilderness, you’ll be sentenced to parking your caboose on a lumpy rock or wobbly log… unless you have one of the best camping rocking chairs on the market.
Don’t get us wrong: camping is still one of our favorite activities; but, sitting on the dusty ground, wobbly logs, or pointy rocks gets old real quick.
- OFHQ's Top Picks
- Best Camping Rocking Chair Buying Guide
- Best Camping Rocking Chairs for Your Next Trip
- GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker
- GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
- GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker
- GCI Kickback Rocker Chair
- Portal Oversized Quad Camping Rocking Chair
- Timber Ridge Foldable Padded Rocking Chair
- Coastrail Outdoor Folding Camping Chair
- Amazon Basics Outdoor Textilene Rocker
- Creative Outdoor Folding Rocking Chair
- Kingcamp Folding Hammock Rocking Chair
- Coastrail Outdoor Premium Camping Chair
- Furniwell Patio Zero Gravity Rocking Chair
- Wrapping Up Best Camping Rocking Chairs
Enter the camping rocker! This type of folding camping chair brings the comfort of a southern wrap-around porch to the campsite. After a long day of hiking and exploring the great outdoors, nothing beats circling the fire ring, kicking back in your own rocker, and swapping campfire stories with the family.
Keep reading to discover the top folding, rocking camping chairs available that can bring comfort, convenience, and an extra dose of “chillax” to your next camping trip!
OFHQ’s Top Picks
Here are the folding rocking chairs for camping that made the biggest impression on us.
Founded in 1996 by engineer Dan Grace, GCI Outdoor is passionate about innovation. Many of the components in their folding rocking chair designs are their own patents, making them truly unique.
And, it’s earned them a decisive corner on the market!
Also, GCI backs their chairs with a Limited LIFETIME Warranty. That’s rare in the folding chair industry! (Just make sure you register the chair on the GCI website after purchasing it. This is required for them to honor the warranty in the event you need to make a claim.)
- Powder-coated steel and aluminum frame
- Carry bag
- Molded armrests
- Ventilated mesh panels
- Cup holder
- 250-pound limit
- 12.8 lb. carry weight
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Hard, unpadded armrests
Our personal favorite at OFHQ, we keep several Roadtrip Rockers on our essentials list for our tent camping or RV camping trips. It’s the perfect combination of durability, portability, comfort, and convenience all backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
- Folds down compact
- Only 10.6 lbs.
- Drink holder and phone pocket
- Lower seating position allows for a more relaxed sitting experience
- Shoulder carrying strap attached directly to chair frame
- No mesh for ventilation
- Lower seating position makes getting up a bit more of an effort
- No carrying case ... for simplicity. It really doesn't need one in our opinion.
Combining rigidity with comfort and portability, the Kickback is GCI’s lightest, most compact folding rocking chair. The Kickback’s small footprint when folded will save room when packing for your next trip and deploy quickly when it’s time to … kickback.
- Many pockets ... enough to equip a horse's saddle!
- Comes with a side-mounted cooler
- Tip-resistant technology ... in case you're into Hard Rock (Bwah, ha, ha ...)
- Innovative, integrated backpack straps for carrying
- Padded head and armrests
- Only 12 lbs.
- Not very compact when folded
- Analog rocker bars look like they be rough on bare ground
- Not ideal for walk-in or hike-in campsites ... to cumbersome
If you want a rocker that trades a compact folding design for other conveniences, Creative Outdoors wants your attention … and your moolah.
Packed with enough pockets to rival a horse’s saddlebag and sporting an integrated cooler that can hold a six-pack, Creative’s comfortable, well-ventilated rocker is an on-the-go lounge with built-in backpack straps.
What’s not to love?
Best Camping Rocking Chair Buying Guide
Fact: your chair will be left out in the rain and sun, exposed to wayward campfire embers, folded and unfolded countless times, tossed in the back of the truck or car, and probably endure the heat of your garage when being stored over the summer.
There are thousands of rocking camp chairs on the market; however, few of them combine durable materials, quality craftsmanship, and comfort.
In this guide, we’ve filtered through the innumerable options and identified the best rockers to make your buying decision much easier.
Before we dive in, let’s explore what features you need to look out for when buying a rocking camp chair and the criteria we based our recommendations on.
1. Frame and Durability
What material is the frame made out of? We recommend powder-coated steel for rust-resistance and strength. Still, there are some lightweight aluminum options that still made the cut.
2. Material
Mesh, polyester, or a combination of the two are the most common materials used to construct the seat, cup holders, and backrest of the rocking chair.
Integrating mesh into the seat and backrest promotes ventilation in warmer weather and also allows the chair to dry faster after a drenching rain or morning dew.
Alternatively, extra padding in the back, seat, armrests, or headrest may not dry as quickly but makes a more comfortable camping rocking chair.
3. Support
The support of the rocking chair refers to the weight capacity. A folding rocking chair worth its salt will support 200-400 lbs.
While the typical camper may not weigh near 400 lbs., a proficient chair manufacturer takes into account the added force exerted on the chair by the user “plopping” down into it repeatedly over time …
… or when the kids dog pile into it before you have a chance to stop them.
4. Rockin’ It Smoothly
Rocking in a campsite is a little different than rocking on your back porch or deck. The terrain around the camp fire will likely be a little rocky, undulated, and sometimes muddy.
Worthwhile rocking camping chairs will provide a smooth rocking experience on the porch or the campsite.
5. Extras
What extra features are you interested in? Look for side pockets, pillows sewn into the headrest, sunshades, and cupholders. Maybe even a cooler!
Other extra features may include shoulder straps for carrying, locking or removable rocker legs, a carrying bag, and insulated cup holders to keep your icy cold one, well, icy cold!
6. Portability and Assembly
Folding rocking chairs should be a breeze to unfold, fold, and to store. After all, you’re buying this to make life easier.
No one wants to be around Dad after he loses a 10-minute wrestling match with a hostile camping chair. Poor man.
Download this guide to get your kids outside and off screens.
Download The FREE Guide NowBest Camping Rocking Chairs for Your Next Trip
GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker
The GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker is a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, portable rocking chair.
Made with a sturdy steel frame, this chair can support up to 250 pounds and folds up quickly and easily for transport.
The seat and backrest are made from 2 pieces for maximum comfort, and the mesh paneling promotes airflow for a ventilated, cool seat on hot days.
This full-sized chair is surprisingly compact when folded and includes a beverage holder and carry bag with a shoulder strap for easy transport to your next campout, picnic, concert, or festival.
- Powder-coated steel and aluminum frame
- Carry bag
- Molded armrests
- Ventilated mesh panels
- Cup holder
- 250-pound limit
- 12.8 lb. carry weight
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Hard, unpadded armrests
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
Not only are there two different colors, but the technology on the GCI outdoor freestyle rocker should be celebrated! It has anti-tipping technology that’s patented for smooth rocking on any terrain. The powder-coated steel frame can support up to 250 pounds!
Foldable Rocking Chair
It won’t take up extra space in your trunk because it folds down flat for easy storage and transportation. You also get padded armrests with a built-in cup holder and a mesh backrest that gives you just the right amount of support. This is a great portable rocking chair and we’ve made sure to keep this feature in mind for most of the recommendations below.
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Carry bag
- Padded armrests
- Ventilated mesh panels
- Cup holder
- 250-pound limit
- 12 lb. carry weight
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Folds up flat, but not as compact as other GCI chairs
- Back rest is 5" shorter than Road Trip Rocker
GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker
In the lineup of best outdoor rocking chairs, this one adopts the sling style seat in the interest of less weight and greater portability .
The GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker is a portable, full-size rocking chair with carry bag. The spring-action rocking technology so you can rock on any surface and it’s made of sturdy powder-coated steel for quality construction.
It also includes a combination beverage holder and side phone pocket, carry bag, and shoulder strap.
Helpful Tip: At the time of this publishing, a version of the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade is available for a comparable price!
- Powder-coated steel
- 11.7 lbs.
- Carry bag
- Ventilated mesh side panels
- Cup holder
- Phone pocket
- 250-pound limit
- Convenient, compact carry size when folded
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Back rest height sacrificed to achieve compact size
- Sling style seat may be too narrow for larger users
GCI Kickback Rocker Chair
The GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker is perfect for anyone looking for a more relaxed experience.
Its lower seat height allows users to relax in a more comfortable position, while the spring-action rocking technology provides a gentle back and forth motion.
Additionally, the chair features a built-in beverage holder and phone pocket, and a powder-coated steel frame that supports up to 250 lbs., making it perfect for any outdoor activity.
- Folds down compact
- Only 10.6 lbs.
- Drink holder and phone pocket
- Lower seating position allows for a more relaxed sitting experience
- Shoulder carrying strap attached directly to chair frame
- No mesh for ventilation
- Lower seating position makes getting up a bit more of an effort
- No carrying case ... for simplicity. It really doesn't need one in our opinion.
Portal Oversized Quad Camping Rocking Chair
GCI is not the only brand whose chairs qualify for the best camping rocking chair.
For campers who need more sitting space and support, the Portal Quad rocking camping chair features an over-sized design and a weight capacity of 300 lbs.
It combines mesh with durable polyester for strength and breathability. The rocking chair is safe with a safety latch that locks it in an open position to prevent accidental fold-ups.
What really stood out is the padded headrest, which not a lot of portable rocking chairs have.
It’s big and heavy; however, it delivers on comfort!
- X-shaped frame folds smaller than other chairs
- 300-pound limit
- Safety latch
- Ventilated mesh back panel
- Concealed phone pocket under the seat
- Carry case with shoulder strap
- Padded headrest
- No cup holder
- Concealed phone pocket ... you might forget you left it in there!
- A heavy beast for a chair (16.5 lbs.). Not recommended for walk-in campsites.
- Analog rocker bars not as smooth as GCI's spring-action rockers
- Warranty lasts for only 1 year
Timber Ridge Foldable Padded Rocking Chair
If you want a chair built for giants and worthy of mixing with your back porch furniture, Timber Ridge’s rocking camp chair fits the bill.
Created with an ergonomic armrest, this chair will provide you with stability and comfort at your leisure.
The 600D polyester fabric makes it easy to clean while the integrated folding design enables easy storage and transportation … on the road. Transporting it by foot, however, will give you a workout!
But that’s cool: you can sit down and rest anytime you want!
The bottom locking system secures the chair when deployed, ensuring it won’t try to eat you alive when you’re in chill-mode.
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Fully-padded mesh-paneled backrest
- Side cup holder and gear pockets
- Safety latch
- Ergonomic, solid armrests for easy getting-out
- Supports up to 300 pounds
- Almost twice as expensive as other rockers
- Warranty lasts only 1 year
- Not so compact when folded affecting portability
- HEAVIER than the beastly Portal (18.5 lbs.)! Not recommended for walk-in campsites!
- Analog rocker bars look like they might not be too smooth on uneven terrain
Coastrail Outdoor Folding Camping Chair
The Coastrail Outdoor Folding Camping Chair is a model with one of the highest weight capacities out there at 350 pounds! What’s great about this design is it can be a regular chair or a rocking chair – the choice is yours!
The rocker bars are removable transforming the rocker into a regular camp chair; so, it’s almost as if you are getting two chairs for the price of one!
The large size and rigid stability of the design puts your comfort first with a high-backrest and a fully padded seat and wrapped armrests.
One concern remains: why is it so difficult to find warranty information for their products?
- Powder-coated steel frame
- High-back design, fully-padded backrest, and wrapped arms for comfort
- Lots of pockets
- Foldable, solid drink holder attached to the frame
- Supports up to 350 pounds
- Removable rocking bars
- Fair price for a heavy duty folding chair
- No ventilated panels in seat or backrest
- Heavy at 16 lbs.
- A bit cumbersome for walk-in campsites
- Hey, Coastrail! Can we get some warranty information? Somewhere? Anywhere?
Amazon Basics Outdoor Textilene Rocker
Sometimes you just need to go back to basics, which are what this Amazon Basics rocker is – basic, yet reliable. The Textilene Outdoor rocker is a fairly light and low rocker chair for your backyard, patio, or when you’re on-the-go.
Just like with most other portable chairs, it collapses easily and is lightweight enough to carry around. Your spine will be adequately supported with the elastic cording and Textilene mesh seat.
There is also a padded headrest and armrests for additional comfort aside from a very sturdy steel frame.
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Padded headrest
- Elastic cord and Textilene support provides comfort and ventilation throughout
- Solid armrests
- Only 200-pound limit
- Heavy at 16 lbs.
- Not very compact or easy to carry when folded ... cumbersome for walk-in campsites
- Elastic cord will decompose if left in the sun indefinitely (from experience)
- Amazon is hush-hush on their warranty policy
Creative Outdoor Folding Rocking Chair
It may not look like anything special on the surface, but the Creative Folding Rocking Chair is packed full of features. The tip-resistant rocking technology will make sure you never land flat on your back, and the chair comes with multiple pockets for various items and even a side-mounted cooler!
The backrest is ergonomic and well-ventilated. Padded armrests keep your forearms comfy while the steel frame can support you and all the stuff you can stuff into its numerable pockets (up to 250 lbs.).
- Many pockets ... enough to equip a horse's saddle!
- Comes with a side-mounted cooler
- Tip-resistant technology ... in case you're into Hard Rock (Bwah, ha, ha ...)
- Innovative, integrated backpack straps for carrying
- Padded head and armrests
- Only 12 lbs.
- Not very compact when folded
- Analog rocker bars look like they be rough on bare ground
- Not ideal for walk-in or hike-in campsites ... to cumbersome
Kingcamp Folding Hammock Rocking Chair
When a hammock and a rocking camp chair love each other very much …
What if you could combine the unique features of a hammock and a rocking chair for the ultimate design?
Well, Kingcamp already did.
Their Camp Recliner chair is perfect for kicking back and relaxing while camping. It has a comfortable, adjustable backrest, and a cup holder to keep your drink close by.
The frame packs down small for easy storage, making it the perfect choice for car camping trips.
You don’t have to worry about going legs-up by reclining too far, it’s sturdy and supportive: the perfect choice for a relaxing day in the great outdoors.
- Lightweight, rust-proof 6063 aluminum frame
- Super-compact when folded
- Hammock design with adjustable backrest angle
- Includes a pillow and 3-D padded seat and backrest for comfort
- Cup holder and zippered-pocket
- 264 lb. weight capacity
- Lightest on the list (10.6 lbs)
- Apparently, it's expensive for a hammock and a chair to reproduce. Choke!
- Armrests? There are none.
Coastrail Outdoor Premium Camping Chair
Attention all giants! We found a rocker for you!
We had to include another option from Coastrail because of the fully padded, full-sized design that provides exceptional lumbar support and can hold up to a surprising 400 pounds!
You have the option of just a regular chair or pay a little extra for rocker legs to transform the unit into one that sways.
Although the chair is a little larger due to the padding, it still folds down easily for transport without adding too much to the bulkiness and overall weight.
- Steel tube frame
- Fully padded design
- Cup holder
- Side gear pocket
- Concealed phone pocket ... don't forget it's in there!
- Carry case
- 400 lb. weight capacity
- Lumbar support
- Removable rocker bars
- Folds down
- Heavy at 16.5 lbs. Not recommended for walk-in camp sites.
- Folds flat but not into a convenient carry shape.
- Hey, Coastrail! Can we get some warranty information? Somewhere? Anywhere?
Furniwell Patio Zero Gravity Rocking Chair
We close out our list with another basic design that mirrors Amazon Basic’s Textilene rocker. The ergonomic design is the product of scientific research that results in a seating position that distributes gravity evenly along the human frame, eliminating pressure points
The rocker stays stable on most terrains and is a super-comfortable option for outdoor activities (provided you don’t have to carry it too far).
- UV-resistant textilene mesh for excellent ventilation throughout
- Ergonomic, Zero-Gravity design
- 240 lb. weight capacity (less than others but still sufficient)
- Heavy at 15.4 lbs. Not recommended for walk-in campsites.
- Does not fold into a convenient carry shape
- No carry case
- Analog rocker bars look like they're more suited for paved or smooth surfaces
- Warranty lasts only 1 year
Wrapping Up Best Camping Rocking Chairs
So, if you’re looking for a more relaxing camping experience, consider bringing along one of these top 13 camping rocking chairs. OFHQ has done the hard work for you and found the best options on the market; so, all that’s left to do is pick your favorite!
Here’s hoping your next camping trip ROCKS! (Bwah, ha, ha!)
Now, get out there!
Joshua Davis
Being outdoors is freedom! Being outdoors with my wife and two boys is LIVING! Whether in my backyard or getting lost in a National Park, there’s nothing I’d rather do than explore, discover, and experience the paradise that surrounds us. Give me my family, a backpack, and a trail and my life is full!Download this guide to get your kids outside and off screens.
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