Best Wagon for Camping and Hiking: As Tested by an Outdoorsy Mom

My family mostly goes wild camping in the backcountry, which usually means we need to walk at least a mile to get to camp. This wasn’t a problem when my kid was a baby. I’d just strap her to my front and load gear into a backpack. But, now that she is 4 (and nearly 40lbs!), I can’t carry her plus all of our gear. The solution? We got a collapsible wagon for camping.

In addition to walk-in camping, collapsible wagons – aka folding utility wagons — can also work for hiking with little kids, as a fishing cart, music festivals, or as a stroller wagon for two kids. They are far from a perfect solution, and some wagons are better suited for certain types of activities.

Below I’ve picked the best folding wagon carts for camping, plus lots of info on how to choose the right wagon for your style of camping.

On our way to the campsite with a 4 year old and lots of gear loaded into the folding wagon!

Quick Picks:

Best Overall: Radio Flyer Odyssey
Best for Serious Adventuring: Veer Cruiser (also at REI)
Best on a Budget: Gorilla Cart
Best Beach Wagon: Beau Jardin wagon
Best Wagon Stroller: Jeep Deluxe Wrangler

Comparison Table

	Weight Limit	Wagon Weight	Interior Size LWH	Folded Size	Modes	Wheel Size	Brakes	Removable wheels
Radio Flyer Odyssey	120lbs	40lbs	33x19x11	27x24x15"	push/pull	12" back, 7.75" front	Yes	Yes
Veer Cruiser	350lbs	33lbs	33x18x12"	37x20x14"	push/pull	12" back, 7.5" front	Yes	Yes
Jeep Deluxe Wrangler	110lbs	47lbs	36x18W x12	38x29x25"	push/pull	12” back, 8” front	Yes	Yes
Mac Sports Wagon	150lbs	22.6lbs	30x17x10	30x21x8"	pull	8"	No	No
Beau Jardin Wagon	176lbs	30lbs	31x17.7x10.6"	32x22x8.5"	push/pull	7"diamter, 4" wide	Yes	No
Gorilla Cart Folding	150lbs	20lbs	36x21x15"	25x9.5x9.5"	pull	7"	Yes	No
Timber Ridge	300lbs	25.4lbs	49x18.9x11"	30x12x7"	pull	7"	No	No
Navatiee S1	220lbs	24lbs	35x19x13"	26x9x6"	pull	7"	No	Yes

What Terrain Can You Realistically Use a Camping Wagon On?

Before you get too excited about camping wagons, be warned that they have limitations. Cheap wagons with small plastic wheels simply aren’t able to handle rocky paths, tree roots or other bumpy terrain. Unless the wagon has extra-wide wheels, it won’t go on sand and will get stuck in mud.

Using a folding wagon on rough terrrain can cause axels or wheel posts to bend. I’ve heard stories of wheel posts breaking, even when the wagon wasn’t at its weight limit. If this happens, you will not only have to haul your gear out, but will have to lug the broken wagon too.

My cheap wagon was able to handle this rocky road, but it was bumpy!

Steel carts like this one work better for heavy loads on rough terrain. They are a pain to pack, though, and heavy.

Can You Use a Folding Wagon for Hiking?

A lot of National and State Parks don’t allow wagons on trails. If it is allowed, then you’ll need a wagon with these features so it can handle the rough terrain:

Large back wheels
All-terrain tires
Suspension system
Very sturdy construction

Unfortunately, good hiking wagons don’t come cheap. The Veer Cruiser wagon, which is one of the only folding wagons with a suspension system, costs around $700. There are some folding wagons which cost over $1,500!

If you don’t feel like spending a fortune on a wagon which can go off-road, try:

A deer/game cart
Steel garden carts or dollies with pneumatic tires
Off-road bike trailer/stroller, like the Burley Honey Bee. These aren’t cheap but at least you can use them biking too!

Also read: How to Carry Toddlers and Little Kids Hiking

Can You Use a Folding Wagon as an Everyday Stroller?

Yes. Wagons are great for trips to the local park, picnics or even grocery shopping. Most kids love riding in wagons, especially when they get too “grown up” for traditional strollers but still can’t walk far distances. Folding wagons are also good if you have two little kids and don’t want to deal with a double stroller.

If you want to use a wagon instead of a stroller, make sure you get a wagon which can also be pushed. It’s a lot easier to maneuver a wagon through tight supermarket aisels and narrow sidewalks when you are pushing. Wagons which have smaller front wheels and larger back wheels are also easier to maneuver.

The Veer Cruiser being used with two kids in an airport. Most airlines let you check it at the gate like a stroller.

Tips for Using a Wagon Off-Road

Balance the weight: Try to distribute your gear in the wagon so the weight is spready out evenly. Otherwise the wagon will be hard to steer and may wobble.
Clean before storing: Always clean dirt, mud and sand off of the wagon and let it dry before putting away. Otherwise the parts can start to rust or get gunked up.
Check hardware before using: Make sure there are no loose rivets, screws or other parts before taking your wagon out.
Wagons require maintenace! You will need to regularly lubricate the wheels, axels and bearings of your wagon. Otherwise they will start to squeak and wobble.
Bring a multi-tool for quick repairs: After going on a particularly rough trail, the jostling caused a bolt on my wagon to come loose. Luckily I noticed before losing the bolt completely and had a mini multi-tool with me to tighten it.
Don’t abuse the wagon: Overloading a wagon and taking it on tough terrain can damage the wheel casters or cause parts to break. If the trail gets unexpectedly tough, make your kids get out and walk for a while or carry some of the gear until the trail gets better.
Fixing wobbly wheels: It’s common for the wheels on folding wagons to get wobbly. If this happens, first try cleaning and lubricating them. Check that all hardware is tightened. If that doesn’t solve the wobbling, then you may need to replace the wheels — which unfortunately isn’t possible on most cheap wagons.

Best Camping Wagons Reviewed

1. Radio Flyer Wagon Odyssey

Choose because: Amazing wagon for kids and gear, so long as you have space for it in your car

Specs:

Weight limit: 120lbs
Wagon weight: 40lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 33x19x11”
Folded size: 27x24x15”
Wheels: 12” diameter back, 7.75” front with rubber tires; 1.75” wide
Brakes: Yes
Push/pull? Push and pull
Buy Here

Review:

I absolutely love the Odyssey folding wagon by Radio Flyer. There are a bunch of cool features which you won’t find on other wagons, yet still doesn’t cost a fortune. The main cool thing is that it a side wall which folds down. This means your kids can use the wagon as a bench seat. It also makes it easier to put heavy gear in the wagon (don’t have to lift as high). With some smart packing methods, you could even use this feature to make a “drawer” system and access gear from the side.

Other awesome features include the interior storage pockets, removable exterior basket, removable canopy and 5-point safety harness for kids. These are included in the price and not add-ons!

You can push or pull the wagon. Because the back wheels are 12”, it handles tough terrain fairly well. It will get stuck in sand (especially if loaded), but you can do some off-roading with this wagon. The wheels are even removable and there is a brake.

The downside? It is HEAVY and HUGE when folded. At least it rolls when folded. Taking the wheels off does save space, but it is still really boxy. So don’t get this if you have limited storage space or a small car trunk.

Pros:

Works well on bumpy terrain
Side folds down
Lots of storage pockets
Push and pull
Rolls when folded

Cons:

Very heavy
Boxy when folded

2. Veer Cruiser Wagon

Choose because: It can handle very tough terrain

Specs:

Weight limit: 350lbs or two kids 55lbs each
Wagon weight: 33lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 33x18x12″
Folded size: 37x20x14″ (wheels on); 37x20x8” (wheels off)
Wheels: 12” back wheels; 7.5” front wheels; 2” wide with PU tires
Brakes: Yes
Push/pull? Push and pull
Buy At: REI, Amazon

Review:

The Veer Cruiser wagon is definitely not cheap – but it is one of the only collapsible wagons which can handle tough terrain and even hiking. It has 12” back wheels and smaller 7.5” front wheels, which makes it easier to maneuver on tough terrain and prevents it from getting stuck in mud. There is a suspension system built into the front wheels, so it provides a smooth ride.

The wagon is mostly designed for kids. You can also put two kids (up to 55lbs each) in the wagon. There is a “footwell” that extends below the wagon, creating an actual seat for the kids. There are safety harnesses on each seat. It’s also possible to mount a child car seat to the wagon using an adapter. There’s no reason you can’t use this wagon for hauling gear too though. The gear weight limit is 350lbs!

There are also a lot of nice extra design features on the wagon: the fenders prevent dirty water from splashing on the wagon, the wheels are removable to make it more compact, it’s easy to clean….

You can push or pull the Veer Cruiser using the same handle. Pulling is definitely easier though, especially on tough terrain. If you try to push it over sand or mud, it will be difficult to maneuver and might get stuck.

Footwell creates seats inside the Veer Cruiser wagon

With the wheels off, the Veer folds flat(ish)

Pros:

Handles very tough terrain
Suspension system
Removable wheels
Footwell creates seats for two kids
Rear-wheel fenders to prevent splashing
Car seat compatible
JPMA certified and meets ASTM safety standards
Folds compact with wheels removed

Cons:

Expensive!
Accessories are also expensive

3. Jeep Deluxe Wrangler Stroller Wagon

Choose because: If has lots of extras and is great for pushing two kids

Specs:

Weight limit: 110lbs
Wagon weight: 47lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 36x18x12”
Folded size: 38x29x25”
Wheels: 12” back, 8” front with rubber tires
Brakes: Yes
Push/pull? Push and pull
Buy Here

Review:

The Jeep Deluxe Wrangler wagon is designed for pushing children. It has two seats with 5-point safety harnesses. It’s also car seat compatible (with adapter). You could use it to carry gear too though, but the weight limit is only 110lbs, which is less than most other folding wagons.

What’s really cool about the Jeep wagon stroller is that it has tons extra features: lots of storage, a wheel brake and removable canopy. It even comes with a cooler bag and it’s all included in the price. Because the frame is horizontal on the sides, it’s easy to strap gear there too.

It’s definitely a heavy-duty wagon and the large wheels can handle tough terrain. The major downside is that it is HEAVY! It is also massive when folded. You can remove the wheels, but it will still be huge and might not fit in your car trunk.

Another downside is that it doesn’t have a standard pull handle. You can still pull the wagon, but it’s not as comfortable as if you had a long handle. The Jeep wagon definitely isn’t cheap either, but the price is on par with double strollers of this caliber.

Pros:

Tons of exterior storage
Canopy
Handles tough terrain well
Fits two kids
Car seat compatible
Easy to push
Lots of interior space

Cons:

Does not have a standard pull handle
Huge when folded
Very heavy
Low weight limit

4. Mac Sport Utility Wagon

Choose because: It’s an affordable wagon that’s good enough for most needs

Specs:

Weight limit: 150lbs
Wagon weight:23lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 30x17x10″
Folded size: 30x21x8”
Wheels: 8″ diameter, 2″ wide with rubber tires
Brakes: No
Push/pull? Pull only
Buy Here

Review:

The Mac Sport is by far the most popular camping wagon – not because it’s the best though. Rather, it’s “good enough” for most people’s needs while still being really affordable. The wheels are 8” in diameter, 2” wide and have rubberized tires. The wheels will handle somewhat bumpy terrain, but they definitely won’t handle sand or mud.

If you need a wagon for sand, Mac Sports also makes a beach wagon. The only real difference between it and this wagon is the size of the wheels (the sand wagon has 10” wheels which are 4” wide). The bigger wheels means that the beach wagon is heavier and larger when folded though.

The Mac collapsible wagon frame is strong but abide by the weight limit. If you exceed the weight limit, the wheel posts will bend and the fabric will tear!

There are some design flaws with the Mac Sports wagon. Because of the way that it folds, you can’t roll it with the handle while folded. It also won’t stand up on its own when folded. Compared to the other camping wagons reviewed here, the Mac wagon also doesn’t have much interior space yet still is pretty bulky when folded.

Pros:

Affordable
Sturdy frame
Handles somewhat rough terrain
Comes with a removable tray

Cons:

Light-duty only
Not much interior space

5. Beau Jardin Beach Wagon

Choose because: It’s an affordable beach wagon

Specs:

Weight limit: 176lbs
Wagon weight: 30lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 31x17x10.6”
Folded size: 32x22x8.5″
Wheels: 7” diameter, 4” wide plastic
Brakes: Yes
Push/pull? Yes
Buy Here

Review:

While it isn’t as popular, I like this Beau Jardin wagon better than the Mac Sports beach wagon. It has some nice design features which make it easier to use. For starters, the front wheels are spaced further apart, so the wagon doesn’t wobble or tip easily. Because of the way the wheels line up when folded, you can even pull it with the handle when folded. It also has breaks.

It’s still a cheap wagon so you need to be realistic about what it will do. Do not overload it or the wheel posts will break. The wheels are only 7” so get stuck in loose sand. But it’s the best you can expect for such an affordable collapsible wagon.

Pros:

Rolls when folded
Removable fabric
Lockable wheels
Works on sand

Cons:

No cup holders or extras
Doesn’t withstand abuse
Plastic wheels

6. Gorilla Folding Wagon

Choose because: It’s very light and compact when folded, yet still has tons of storage space

Specs:

Weight limit: 150lbs
Wagon weight: 20lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 36x21x15″
Folded size: 25×9.55×9.5″
Wheels: 7″ diameter, 1.5″ wide rubber tires
Brakes: Yes
Push/pull? Pull only
Buy Here

Review:

This folding wagon by Gorilla Carts is one of the largest you will find. The basket area is huge! Yet, it still folds down really small. It is also incredibly lightweight. The description on Amazon seems to be incorrect. It’s closer to 20lbs than 13.5lbs, but that is still really lightweight for a folding wagon. There are also lots of extras like storage pockets and wheel brakes.

Not surprisingly considering how cheap and light the wagon is, it will not handle abuse. If you overload it, the cart will bend or break. You could give kids a ride in this, but you’d have to balance out the weight to get a smooth ride. I would only recommend it for hauling light-but-bulky gear like camping chairs.

Pros:

Very lightweight and compact
Lots of storage space
Affordable

Cons:

Does not withstand abuse at all
Not great for kids

7. Timber Ridge Wagon

Choose because: The back folds down so you can haul long gear

Specs:

Weight limit: 300lbs
Wagon weight: 26lbs
Size (LxWxH): 49×18.9x 21.5″
Folded size: 30x12x7″
Wheels: 7” diameter, 1.5” wide with rubber tires
Brakes: No
Push/pull? Pull only
Buy Here

Review:

This is one of the cheapest collapsible wagons you will find. As expected at this price, the wagon is a bit flimsy. Do NOT trust its weight limit of 300lbs!

However, it has the awesome feature that the back folds down, allowing you to carry long gear in the wagon. It also has an adjustable-length handle and storage pockets, not something you’d expect on a cheap wagon. Another big plus is that it stores upright with the wheels down. You can even roll it when it is closed, making it much easier to transport.

Pros:

Cheap
Back side folds down
Can roll even when closed
Compact when folded
Stands when folded

Cons:

Not for sand or rough terrain

8. Navatiee S1 Folding Wagon

Choose because: It folds down tiny

Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon, Heavy Duty Utility Beach Wagon Cart with Side Pocket and Brakes, Large Capacity Foldable Grocery Wagon for Garden Sports Outdoor Use, S1

Specs:

Weight limit: 220lbs*
Wagon weight: 24lbs
Interior size (LxWxH): 35x19x13”
Folded size: 26x9x8”
Wheels: 7” diameter, 1.5 wide with rubber tires
Brakes: No
Push/pull? Pull only
Buy Here

Review:

Here’s another cheap folding wagon for camping. It is really lightweight and folds down smaller than any of the other collapsible camping wagons reviewed here. It is also the only cheap wagon with detachable wheels and the fabric is removable too.

For cheap, small wagons though, I personally still prefer the Gorilla Cart wagon over it. The handle on the Navatiee attaches in a weird way: to both front wheels. This actually makes it slightly harder to maneuver over tough terrain. Despite what the manufacturer says, the Navatiee wagon won’t handle 220lbs without breaking.

If folded size is your main concern though, then this is the wagon to get. Just don’t abuse it or take it on really tough terrain!