The 7 Best Swinging Camp Chairs (2023)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.