Hammocks in Yellowstone where you have to use official camp grounds.

**burtonator** · 07-11-2012, 13:28

My niece and I are going to yellowstone in about 3 weeks and I"m trying to prep for it.

Can you hang hammocks in the camp grounds in the yellowstone back country?

There are no rules AGAINST it but you're required to use official camps so I'm not sure if they're going to be full or if we're going to be able to find two trees right next to each other in relatively close distance.

I guess it wouldn't be too bad if we camped ADJACENT to the camps but if there is a ranger there he may be strict.

Also just trying to make sure it's even POSSIBLE as I haven't seen any pics of their camp layouts.

**tygr** · 07-11-2012, 14:37

Backcountry campsites are by permit/reservation only. They just want to know who is camping where, when, and how many in the event any emergencies arise.

I would suggest you contact the Backcountry Office 307-344-2160 and inquire about the sites you want permits for. They may be able to tell you if it's a wooded campsite or not. I know that many campsites in/near the Bechler (extreme south-west) area of the park do not have any trees as much of it is meadow. I'm sure that other areas of the park may be the same.

Most trees in Yellowstone are no more than 18-inches in diameter and are great for hammocking. I also know that they discourage "sleeping out in the open." But, I think that if you pitch a tarp tight against your hammock, it has the same appearance as a tent.

**dac01** · 07-11-2012, 14:54

I just got back from 12 days in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. I slept in my WBBB 10 days. The only issue that I ran into in the campgrounds was elimated when I had a campground host come over and see my setup. When I first told the host that I was going to sleep in a hammock they told me that I'd have to take it down everyday so as not to tangle up a elk wandering thru the campgrounds. When they saw that my hammock was reall just like a tent but about two feet off the ground (when the tarp was pulled down) they said it was ok.

**burtonator** · 07-11-2012, 15:44

OK... Hm. I will have to re-read the regulations but I'm pretty sure they were first come / first serve in Yellowstone.

Originally Posted by tygr

Backcountry campsites are by permit/reservation only. They just want to know who is camping where, when, and how many in the event any emergencies arise.

I would suggest you contact the Backcountry Office 307-344-2160 and inquire about the sites you want permits for. They may be able to tell you if it's a wooded campsite or not. I know that many campsites in/near the Bechler (extreme south-west) area of the park do not have any trees as much of it is meadow. I'm sure that other areas of the park may be the same.

Most trees in Yellowstone are no more than 18-inches in diameter and are great for hammocking. I also know that they discourage "sleeping out in the open." But, I think that if you pitch a tarp tight against your hammock, it has the same appearance as a tent.

**burtonator** · 07-11-2012, 15:45

Dude. That rocks. Super helpful... and I wouldn't mind taking my hammock down every day. Super easy to setup again.

Originally Posted by dac01

I just got back from 12 days in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. I slept in my WBBB 10 days. The only issue that I ran into in the campgrounds was elimated when I had a campground host come over and see my setup. When I first told the host that I was going to sleep in a hammock they told me that I'd have to take it down everyday so as not to tangle up a elk wandering thru the campgrounds. When they saw that my hammock was reall just like a tent but about two feet off the ground (when the tarp was pulled down) they said it was ok.

**!wrass!** · 07-11-2012, 20:34

"Back Country" hiking/camping is by permit only. My application was in in March for my August hike.

Camping in some of the campgrounds is first come first serve, some are by reservation.

**hummm** · 07-11-2012, 20:38

I'll be in Yellowstone also in about 3 week. I will be staying a the following camp sites (4M2, 4W3, 3T3, 3F2, 3L8, & 3L3). I would like to use my new Clark hammock, but from past years I know some sites are not hammock friendly. I've not been in this part of Yellowstone before. Any comments will help.

**burtonator** · 07-11-2012, 21:16

yes. my plan is to just get my permit when I get there and then find a first come first serve camp ground in the back country ... if we can't find one we will keep hiking.

Originally Posted by !wrass!

"Back Country" hiking/camping is by permit only. My application was in in March for my August hike.

Camping in some of the campgrounds is first come first serve, some are by reservation.