Folding Camping Chairs

Choosing good folding camping chairs is important! You’ll probably do lots of sitting while you're camping.

You want to be comfortable, no matter where you are sitting: around the campfire, under a pine tree, or at the beach.

But how can you tell which chairs are right for you? Some look comfortable, but are not. Some chairs work well for shorter people, while others are better for tall folks.

A grouping of folding camping chairs in a campsite

Your best bet is to go to a camping store and actually try out the chairs before choosing the perfect one for you.

Before you go, think about which type of chair would best suit your needs.

Portable Shower for Camping

This portable rechargeable camping shower set means you can shower anywhere!

Read more at Amazon here and find the best price!!

Portable Camping Shower

Folding chair with attached table

If your camping plans include hanging out at the campsite with a good book and a cool drink, this might be the chair for you!

This sturdy chair supports up to 400 pounds. The side table of this folding camp chair is equipped with attached cup holders, phone slot and multi-functional side pocket, bring your essentials close to you while camping.

CLICK HERE for further details and to order on Amazon.

Folding lounge chair

If napping in the shade of a pine tree is in your plans, consider a zero gravity folding lounge chair! My in-laws have one of these, and it really is comfortable. It folds flat for transport, and is sturdy enough to use at camp.

It has a detachable cushion, cup holder and pillow.

The only drawback to my in-laws' chair is that everyone wants to use it! You might want to get more than one!

CLICK HERE to purchase the above lounge chair.

Folding chair with canopy

A chair with its own built in canopy is a great idea!

Compared to traditional lawn chairs with canopy shade, this camping chair with canopy adds side shades and a back flap to block side and back sunlight, offering maximum cooling shade and protecting you from the sun's rays.

It's easy to carry and store. CLICK HERE for more information and the best price!

Alternatively you can buy a good quality sun umbrella and attach it to the arm or back of a sturdy chair.

Versa-Brella Portable Umbrella with Clamp

This umbrella has a universal clamp that fastens easily to chairs, strollers or even golf carts! It swivels 360 degrees so that you can adjust it perfectly. It comes with its own carrying case.

For more information CLICK HERE.

Our favorite folding camping chairs

For the campsite

In our 20+ years of family camping, we’ve tried a lot of different folding camping chairs. For sitting around the campsite, this is our favorite: the Strongback chair.

A woman sitting on Strongback chair near tent overlooking a lake

My husband is tall, and he finds most folding camping chairs really uncomfortable - except for this one. It doesn’t have an uncomfortable bar that digs into your back, and it does have good lumbar support.

Strongback Elite Folding Camp Chair

These chairs are so comfortable that we got rid of our patio furniture and got a family set of Strongbacks instead!

To order your own on Amazon, CLICK HERE!

For the beach

We’ve owned two folding wooden and canvas chairs for more than 25 years. They are indestructible, lightweight, and surprisingly comfortable!

A boy sitting on wood and canvas folding camping chair

These chairs are easy to transport and to store. They are perfect for concerts in the park, too!

A dark blue camping chair with a wood frame

If you are crafty and ambitious, you might want to make your own! If you are not, you can buy the chairs on Amazon.

The above chair is Ellen's chair (previous website owner). It is no longer available on Amazon but below is a great alternative!

CLICK HERE for more information on this great beach chair and to purchase.

Since they fold completely flat, these chairs are ideal to take on a canoe or kayak trip: just lash them to the top of your pile of gear.

A family in a canoe with folding chairs lashed to pile of gear on the deck

What about cheap folding chairs?

Here’s an important piece advice for first time campers who are just beginning to gear up: don’t buy cheap folding chairs!

They will probably be uncomfortable, and they will probably break in their first season. They can’t be easily repaired.

I can’t count the number of broken cheap folding chairs I have seen at campground dumpsters.

A broken folding chair beside a dumpster

If you do buy a cheap folding chair, you’ll probably just have to replace it next season. For the price of a couple of cheap chairs, you can buy a good quality chair that will last for many years.