Hammocking in Florida State Parks

**lilricky** · 01-31-2011, 19:48

I might have an opportunity to meet with my state representative, Mike Horner in a few weeks. I plan on making an appointment to talk to him. But before I do, I want to be prepared. Does anyone know of any study or paper from any local, state, or federal agency, or university, foundation, etc that shows the absence of or minimal impact on trees from hammocking? I can make the argument that hammocking leaves little to no impact on the ground and virtually no damage to the trees' bark, but I would like some sort of proof or evidence to backup my claims. All I can find on the internet are stories on how some environmental scientist or group is going to make a study, but no actual study.

**Buffalo Skipper** · 05-10-2011, 14:45

Bump.

It has been almost 6 months since this thread started. Certainly short when measured by the speed of state bureaucracy. Any word on if things have chnaged? At this stage in my backpacking hobby, I have no interest in going to the ground in order to hike. I have moved my entire selection of gear to support my hammock.

Let us know if there is any new info or action out there....

**Cannibal** · 05-10-2011, 15:19

Last time I heard from Parks Small (person with the state), their plan was to work something up and then offer it up for comments. We tried (very hard) to have them let a few of the members here come up with a few plans upfront that they could tweak to their needs, but they chose to go the other direction. Hopefully, they will devise something that will work for the parks and for hangers.

It has been a couple of months since I spoke with anybody, but I never really expected much movement. I'll try sending an email politely asking for an update, but will probably wait until next week since I'm going to have spotty communications at best for the next several days. I'll let you know what, if anything, I hear back.

**Buffalo Skipper** · 05-10-2011, 15:52

Thanks Cannibal.

I will be out of town next week, so I am in no rush, but it would be nice to go out this summer to a spot or two....

**squidbilly** · 05-10-2011, 21:42

We recently took a three day canoe/kayak trip on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Some of the screened shelters at the river camps had lag screw hooks for hanging hammocks. The camp hosts even let us hang in the picnic pavillion. Since the camps are only accesible to the public by river, the picnic area wasn't being used anyway.

**FlyingBoatDriver** · 05-11-2011, 21:29

I can't stand our state park's rule. Actually I really can't stand government telling me what I can and can't do. I used to hang in our state parks until a ranger told me of the rule and I thought she was kidding. She ended up letting me stay that night but gave me a warning. We have great places to hang in our state for free so I stay out of the state parks now.

**dcc46** · 10-26-2011, 09:12

Any updates?

**colonel r** · 10-27-2011, 15:04

Interested in updates as well. Planning on a canoe trip along the Swanee next spring.

**Butterfly** · 06-16-2013, 08:36

I just got my first hammock and I'm itching to get out and try it. I live near Tampa and I've looked at several state parks and I can't find anywhere that it says no hammocks. I'm wondering if I just go to one of the primitive campsites if I'll be ok. And wondering if anything new has happened to get these rules changed.

**Jcavenagh** · 06-16-2013, 14:04

BF - Welcome to the board! take a look at this thread for most current info
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...=State+Project

Look at post #26 to get a link to a spreadsheet of all states.
Cheers!