There's only one thing that's better than lazing around in a rocking chair in front of your fireplace, and that's lounging in a rocker in front of a crackling campfire. While rocking chairs designed for camping take up too much space to go along on backpacking trips, they're a great way to enhance camping trips when you have access to a vehicle to haul as many comforts as you'd like.
6 Rocking Chairs Designed for Camping
Most rocking camp chairs fall into one of two categories (1) small-scale versions of your household rocker or (2) spring-loaded rockers that look like regular camp chairs attached to a spring-loaded frame.
1. REI evrgrn Campfire Rocker
One of REI's house brands, evrgrn, offers a folding campfire rocker than weighs in at less than six pounds. Its bucket-style seat has a full-height back but positions you just ten inches off the ground, so you won't feel like you're towering over your buddies; think of it like a tiny, rocking papasan chair you can use by the campfire. The evrgrn Campfire Rocker can support up to 250 pounds.
- This chair retails for $70 to $100 (pricing varies by color) and is available only from REI.
2. GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
The GCI Outdoor Freestyle rocking chair looks like a regular folding camp chair, but it's suspended in a spring-loaded frame that helps create a smooth rocking motion. The powder-coated steel frame and polyester seat fabric will stand up to a lot of wear. There's also a small cup holder and some light padding around the arms. When you're ready to set up camp somewhere else, the GCI Outdoor rocker folds flat for transport. It supports up to 250 pounds.
- This chair retails for $50 to $65, and can be purchased from REI, Dick's Sporting Goods and Amazon.
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
3. Bass Pro Shops Folding Rocker
The Bass Pro Shops Folding Rocker is a great option for camping enthusiasts who are looking for a rocking chair that can quickly and easily be folded for easy carrying. The included carrying bag makes it easy to quickly pack and transport the chair, so it's a great choice for tent and RV camping alike. The chair has a cup holder is made of heavy-duty water resistant fabric and features a sturdy metal frame, making it perfect for outdoor use season-after-season. It can support up to 250 pounds.
- Purchase this chair from Bass Pro Shops for just under $65.
Bass Pro Shops Folding Rocker
4. The Northwest Territory Rocking Chair
The Northwest Territory rocking chair is a sturdy rocker meant for car or RV camping. It doesn't fold up, so you have to take it apart for transport, but the process is quick and easy. As a bonus, this looks more like a conventional rocker traditional camp-style chairs. It comes with a padded back covered in dark rip-stop fabric that's slow to show wear and tear, and the frame is rust-resistant. The armrests are made of molded plastic and are not padded.
- Buy this Northwest Territory chair for about $60 from Kmart or Sears.
Northwest Territory Rocking Chair
5. LL Bean Low Rider Camp Rocker
Get the best of both worlds with the LL Bean Low Rider camp rocker! It looks like a regular rocking chair, but folds flat for storage and sits close enough to the ground (11 inches) that you'll fit in with everyone else around the campfire. The powder-coated frame and 600d polyester seat support up to 225 pounds.
- This chair typically retails for around $50 and is available only from L.L. Bean.
L.L. Bean Low Rider Camp Rocker
6. ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair
Another folding rocker that looks much like a normal rocker, the ALPS Mountaineering rocking chair folds up for easy transport. Its 600d polyester fabric and powder-coated steel frame support up to 300 pounds. Don't let the name fool you, though. Mountaineering company or not, this 17.5-pound chair is still most at home around a car camping or RV campfire.
- This chair retails for around $140 and can be purchased from ALPS Mountaineering or Backcountry.com.
ALPS Mountaineering Rocking Chair
Additional Shopping Considerations
Of course, these are only a few examples of the available options. When selecting your chair, be sure to consider what it is made from. If you want your outdoor rocker to withstand the elements, it should have a rust-resistant steel or aluminum frame, and tough rip-stop nylon or polyester fabric on the seat and back. Whatever you decide to buy, check the chair's user weight limit and be sure that you understand how the chair folds or comes apart for transport.
Put Your New Chair to the Test
Once you've chosen your new chair, you'll want to take it for a test drive (or is that a test sit?) at your favorite RV or tent camping site!
