14 Best Portable Camping Chairs for Travel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

See recent posts by Caroline Morse Teel

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Hanging out outside doesn’t have to mean sitting on the ground—or lugging around a heavy chair. These fourteen portable camping chairs are perfect for travel, days at the beach, or anywhere you want to relax in the fresh air.

Find the Best Camping Chair for Your Travel Style

Best Low-Rise Camping Chair	Kelty Lowdown Chair
Best Easy-Storage Camping Chair	CLIQ Portable Camping Chair
Best Portable Rocking Chair	Portal Camping Rocking Chair
Best Camping Chair with Footrest	KABOER Portable Camping Chair with Footrest
Best Small Camping Chair	Lightspeed Outdoors Tripod Chair
Best Beach Chair	Mac Sports 2-in-1 Beach Day Folding Lounge Chair
Best Lightweight Camping Chair	Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Camping Chair
Best Luxury Camping Chair	NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
Best Camping Chair with Canopy	Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair
Best Heavy-Duty Camping Chair	Guide Gear Oversized Club Camp Chair
Best Camping Chair for Kids	Melissa & Doug Outdoor Chairs
Best Camping Chair for Lumbar Support	STRONGBACK 2.0 Elite Camping Chair
Best Heated Camping Chair	The Hot Seat by POP Design
Best Multi-use Camping Chair	Woods Portable 2-in-1 Camping Lounger/Cot

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Kelty Lowdown Chair

Three views of the Kelty Lowdown camp chair, including close up of cup holder and carrying bag — Kelty

Kelty’s Lowdown Chair is like a portable lounge chair. It’s low to the ground and slightly reclined, so you can relax in comfort without needing a footrest. The insulated, adjustable cup holder on the armrest can fit and cool (or keep warm) any size beverage, adding to the chill factor. The Lowdown Chair quickly rolls up and packs into the padded tote storage with compression straps to make it extra portable.

CLIQ Portable Camping Chair

Two view of the CLIQ chair, a folding camping chair with tripod legs — Amazon

The CLIQ Portable Camping Chair folds down into the size of a water bottle when it’s not in use. When you’re ready to relax, simply undo the straps and extend the arms—the CLIQ sets up in five seconds and can support up to 300 lbs.

Portal Camping Rocking Chair

Lean back and unwind in the Portal Camping Rocking Chair. This outdoor rocking chair has a cushy padded headrest, ergonomic padded armrests, and an underseat pocket to stash your phone and other essentials. Thanks to the x-shaped frame, the chair folds up nearly flat and comes with a carrying bag for easy transport.

KABOER Portable Camping Chair with Footrest

Sit down and put your feet up with KABOER’s portable camping chair, which comes with a perfectly portable footrest. Both the chair and the footrest fold down compactly, and are made from a tear- and abrasion-resistant material (that comes in eye-catching prints and colors).

Lightspeed Outdoors Tripod Chair

Need something really small? The Lightspeed Outdoors Tripod Chair has a unique tripod design that keeps it small without sacrificing comfort. Both the seat and backrest are extra-padded, as is the integrated shoulder strap for easy carrying. A built-in cupholder and pocket keep your stuff off of the ground.

Mac Sports 2-in-1 Beach Day Folding Lounge Chair

Tired of hauling all your stuff over the hot sand to find a peaceful spot on the beach? Let the Mac Sports beach chair do all the heavy lifting for you. This lounger converts into a wheeled beach cart that can carry towels, coolers, and more with ease. When you’re ready to relax on the beach, unfold the chair and enjoy the built-in pillow and four-position adjustable back.

Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Camping Chair

Weighing just 1.2 lbs., the Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Camping Chair lives up to its name. In addition to being lightweight, the chair can be packed into the included stuff sack to a size of 4” x 4” x 13.5” (smaller than a bottle of water). Despite the small size, the Helinox can hold up to 265 lbs.

NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair

Adjustable headrest, auto-reclining hardware, rocking-chair functionality— you name it, you can find it in the NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair. This chair is suspended securely between two upright poles (made from aircraft-grade aluminum), allowing it to swing freely. The rounded feet keep the chair stable on a variety of terrains. Available in four colors.

Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair

The Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair is the perfect respite from the sun at the beach or the campsite. The canopy can be adjusted to keep you in perfect shade as the angle of the sun changes. The chair itself features a steel frame, two cup holders, and is made from a water- and stain-resistant polyester fabric.

Guide Gear Oversized Club Camp Chair

Comfort and durability go hand-in-hand with the Guide Gear Oversized Club Camp Chair. This chair has a 500lb capacity with a depth of 25 inches and a width of 34 inches. Thick padding with a water-resistant coating keeps it warm and dry even in damper conditions. Available in basic brown as well as red and gray plaid.

Melissa & Doug Outdoors Chairs

What could be more fun than a chair that doubles as an animal friend? Melissa & Doug offers a variety of camping chairs for kids in adorable designs, from a friendly octopus to a playful butterfly. These chairs are foldable and zip up into a child-sized carrying case, so kids can feel like they’re helping out when setting up camp.

STRONGBACK 2.0 Elite Camping Chair

The STRONGBACK 2.0 Elite Camping Chair features extra lumbar support in the padding as well as integrated directly into the structure of the frame. This reinforced area keeps your spine aligned and helps you maintain a healthy posture while relaxing. This particular model is designed for people above 5’ 8”, but STRONGBACK offers the same lumbar support technology in its similar models, like the Guru chair (made for people under 5’ 8”) and the Low Gravity Recliner.

The Hot Seat by POP Design

Someone has to take one for the team and sit furthest from the campfire. Luckily, with the The Hot Seat from POP Design, you won’t need to worry about fighting off the chill. Compatible with any USB battery pack (not included), the seat can safely reach temperatures up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose from low, medium, and high heat settings.

Woods Portable 2-in-1 Camping Lounger/Cot

Versatility is the top quality of the Woods Portable 2-in-1 Camping Lounger/Cot, which can be configured as a standard camping chair, a lounge chair, or a cot for sleeping. Made from waterproof fabric and a rust-resistant frame with a 300lb weight capacity, this chair will well outlast the one-year warranty. Pair with your favorite sleeping bag for a comfortable alternative to spending the night on the ground.

Carol McPherson contributed to this story.

You Might Also Like:

• The Hottest Travel Tech for Summer 2023
• The 6 Best Quiet Luxury Pieces for Travelers
• Shark Safety Tips: Everything You Need to Know to Prevent or Survive a Shark Attack
• 10 Amazon Prime Day 2023 Secrets That Will Save You Even More Money
• The 10 Best Beaches in America for 2023

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.