Hanging in a State Park Against the Rules?

**Timberrr** · 09-14-2011, 21:02

Originally Posted by cardo

From the Leave No Trace treatise: (3) As long as ‘tree saver' straps (2-4” wide straps that go around the tree to minimize any girdling effects) are used, there is very little impact associated with hammock camping.

Four inches wide?! Really!?
I'll just run the strap between the trees and sleep on that!

**JasonJones** · 09-14-2011, 21:05

Jeez, 2" ? My 1.5" straps get mangled a bit being so wide when tying a MSH, I'd hate to try it with a 2,3 or 4in strap!

**slowhike** · 09-15-2011, 07:50

Originally Posted by cardo

From the Leave No Trace treatise: (3) As long as ‘tree saver' straps (2-4” wide straps that go around the tree to minimize any girdling effects) are used, there is very little impact associated with hammock camping. Besides getting in and out of the hammock, the ground beneath is almost untouched.

2" - 4" tree-huggers? Wouldn't be showing this to any Rangers that I was trying to get to let me hang.

I found that in this "Blog" that was referenced here or in another thread.
http://leavenotracecommunity.blogspo...k-camping.html
I don't know were they came up with 2-4" straps, but I suspect someone not familiar with hammocks was trying to make an educated guess.
But 1" is the most common tree webbing width & in most cases protects the tree just fine.

**Steve D** · 09-15-2011, 09:27

Just got off the phone with Ellen Graham, the Resource Manager at Unicoi SP. Ms. Graham confirmed after discussions with her ranger staff and other Unicoi SP officials that there is no rule against using hammocks for camping at Unicoi (and shouldn't be at any of Georgia's SPs) and that hammock camping was just fine as long as there is no damage to the trees. Ms. Graham also said she would talk with the rangers at Unicoi and make sure that they understood that hammocks are OK...

Couldn't have better timing for me since I was planning to camp (in a hammock of course) at Unicoi tonight!

**slowhike** · 09-15-2011, 09:32

That's good to hear Steve. Thanks for making the call.
I think it's always a step in the right direction when we let them know that we strongly encourage to never use ropes on the trees, but to use flat webbing.

**Gumbo** · 09-15-2011, 09:34

Originally Posted by Steve D

Just got off the phone with Ellen Graham, the Resource Manager at Unicoi SP. Ms. Graham confirmed after discussions with her ranger staff and other Unicoi SP officials that there is no rule against using hammocks for camping at Unicoi (and shouldn't be at any of Georgia's SPs) and that hammock camping was just fine as long as there is no damage to the trees. Ms. Graham also said she would talk with the rangers at Unicoi and make sure that they understood that hammocks are OK...

Couldn't have better timing for me since I was planning to camp (in a hammock of course) at Unicoi tonight!

That is good news. Thanks for going the extra mile and actually prompting specific action that will benefit future hangers!

**Riverpirate** · 09-15-2011, 09:36

Originally Posted by Steve D

Just got off the phone with Ellen Graham, the Resource Manager at Unicoi SP. Ms. Graham confirmed after discussions with her ranger staff and other Unicoi SP officials that there is no rule against using hammocks for camping at Unicoi (and shouldn't be at any of Georgia's SPs) and that hammock camping was just fine as long as there is no damage to the trees. Ms. Graham also said she would talk with the rangers at Unicoi and make sure that they understood that hammocks are OK...

Couldn't have better timing for me since I was planning to camp (in a hammock of course) at Unicoi tonight!

And I did not get invited!!!! Sleep well my brother. Take those fly rods and plastics and catch some fish.

**Steve D** · 09-15-2011, 09:57

Unfortunately no fishing for me this trip...

But, get to take my oldest and a couple of her friends from college camping this weekend. Three hammockers (including me) and one ground dweller...

BTW, just received a call from another person higher up in the food chain in the DNR's Parks Dept who tells me that they will be further evaluating hammock camping for statewide acceptance next week. I told her what I'd heard from the folks at Unicoi and that other parks have been accommodating to hammockers as well. She said that the main issue was that its something relatively new that they weren't used to and she'd get back in touch with me next week.

**Scree** · 09-15-2011, 11:39

Interesting thread. I hadn't considered it before. Prior to hammock camping I experienced hostility in western CT while hanging a tarp from trees (no nails). The Ranger was rather adament about not hanging anything from trees.

I just came back from a trip to Graylock Mt. MA and the ranger there said nothing about our hanging hammocks. Car camping this summer in Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod was fine as well so I guess Mass. is Okay.

Thanks for starting this thread. I was thinking of trying some hanging here in eastern CT. I may need to do some investigating.

**Sassafras** · 09-15-2011, 11:43

Originally Posted by Steve D

Just got off the phone with Ellen Graham, the Resource Manager at Unicoi SP. Ms. Graham confirmed after discussions with her ranger staff and other Unicoi SP officials that there is no rule against using hammocks for camping at Unicoi (and shouldn't be at any of Georgia's SPs) and that hammock camping was just fine as long as there is no damage to the trees. Ms. Graham also said she would talk with the rangers at Unicoi and make sure that they understood that hammocks are OK...

Couldn't have better timing for me since I was planning to camp (in a hammock of course) at Unicoi tonight!

Thanks for making the call.

I also sent a nicely worded email and letter. Its great to educate them on the uses an dI agree, many people have NEVER seen anyone camp in a hammock...