9 Easy Steps: How to Make Your Own Bushcraft Camp Chair

A DIY camp chair is a great solution when you don't have a chair on hand! Check out this tutorial to learn how to make your own.

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Bushcraft Camp Chair | A Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you find yourself stuck in the wilderness with no chair on hand, this DIY camp chair is an excellent solution. Making your own camp chair in the middle of the forest is possible because everything you need is readily available around.

Materials you'll need:

1. Sturdy long stick or branch for the backrest (about 3-4 feet long)
2. Two sturdy forked sticks for the front legs (about 2-3 feet long)
3. Two straight sticks for the back legs (about 2-3 feet long)
4. Several smaller straight sticks for the seat and support pieces
5. Paracord or natural cordage (e.g., vines, strips of bark) for lashing
6. A knife or small saw for cutting and carving

Making a bushcraft camp chair can be a fun and rewarding project for outdoor enthusiasts. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple bushcraft camp chair using natural materials:

Step 1: Collect Materials

Find suitable materials in the surrounding area. Look for dead but sturdy branches and sticks, making sure they are not rotten or infested with insects. It's essential to practice Leave No Trace principles and avoid damaging live trees or plants.

Step 2: Prepare the Front Legs

Take the two forked sticks and remove any side branches. These will serve as the front legs of your chair. The forked ends will anchor the seat, so make sure they are sturdy.

Step 3: Prepare the Back Legs

Carve or remove any protruding branches from the two straight sticks that will serve as the back legs. These should be slightly taller than the front legs to provide a comfortable recline.

Step 4: Assemble the Frame

Lay the back legs on the ground parallel to each other, about shoulder-width apart. Position the front legs perpendicular to the back legs, with the forked ends facing upwards. The chair should now resemble the shape of a chair frame.

Step 5: Secure the Joints

Use paracord or natural cordage to lash the joints together securely. Start by tying a tight wrap around one of the front legs where it meets the back leg. Then, wrap the cordage around the joint multiple times, ensuring it is stable. Repeat the process for the other front leg and both back legs.

Step 6: Create the Seat

Take the smaller straight sticks and lay them across the horizontal frame formed by the front and back legs. Space them evenly to create the seating surface. Weave additional sticks or vines between the seat sticks for added support and comfort.

Step 7: Secure the Seat

Lash the seat sticks to the horizontal frame, wrapping the cordage around the vertical frame elements to hold everything in place.

Step 8: Add the Backrest

Position the long stick or branch you collected earlier vertically between the back legs. The top end of the stick should be at a comfortable height for leaning back. If needed, you can carve notches into the top of the back legs to secure the backrest in place.

Step 9: Test Stability and Adjust

Test the chair by sitting on it carefully. Make any necessary adjustments, such as tightening the lashings or reinforcing weak points.

Your bushcraft camp chair is now complete! Enjoy the fruits of your labor by sitting back and relaxing in the great outdoors. Remember always to dismantle and disperse the chair responsibly when you leave the area.

Check this video from Black Owl Outdoors and find out how to craft a bushcraft chair:

We hope this detailed tutorial in making a camp chair helps you on your next wilderness trip. Try to make your own DIY bushcraft camp chair so you won't have to bring one.

This will help you practice your outdoor survival tactics plus gives you the satisfaction of enjoying something you build with your own hands!

Have you tried making a DIY camp chair before? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.