Hanging laws in your state question

[KenDavis500]

How do I find the 'official' law for hanging in my state's parks?

I live in TX. I've checked Texas Park & Wildlife website. I've done a google search. All with no success.

Any suggestions?

[Rat]

Just hang... If asked be polite, show how we help protect the trees, do not impact the ground cover/flora etc. Invite them for a quick comfort check, this wins them every time!

Be an ambassador. Some parks do not allow ANY thing hanging from trees due to past damage by people who didn't know any better (nails, rope, wire). Sometimes they can be convinced, other times you may need to get creative!

[Throkda]

I've never had any trouble from the Texas park rangers. In fact, they're usually quite interested in the hammock and how it works. My wife and I even went to one of the Texas Outdoor Family events at our local park (in Cedar Hill) to demonstrate the idea for all the people they were teaching to camp (we ended up helping the ranger out, since some people missed the segment on starting a campfire with some tinder and matches).

So far, we've camped in hammocks without incident at the following state parks:

Cedar Hill
Possum Kingdom
Bob Sandlin
Fairfield
Inks Lake
Meridian
Mission Tejas
Lake Livingston
Fort Parker
Fort Davis (yes, there's some trees way out there)
Caddo Lake
Martin Dies
and Tyler

As often as not, we eventually have a ranger come up to our campsite sometime while we're there, and we explain everything they have time to hear. There's also a major hang out in Fairfield that is about to have its 4th Annual hang -- the rangers there love us

So far, it looks like anyone hanging hammocks has been good enough about it that there isn't anything in the rules and regulations covering hanging hammocks one way or the other. Just make sure you do no damage, and I think we'll stay in their good graces.

[Kattelyn]

Throkda's wife chiming in.

Park rangers always come by and we end up giving demonstrations to them. I've gone camping by myself where I had the ranger over at the campsite visiting for a good hour. Far be it from being in trouble with them, we turn into almost a spectacle. Especially on busy weekends. Usually have at least two folks asking about the hammocks and the rest asking about "what kind of dog is that".

BTW, Welcome and you're welcome to come to The group hang in November!

[Cannibal]

All State Parks in Colorado have a rule against hammocks; more precisely, a rule against attaching anything to trees. Heck, in the city parks, you can't put anything in the ground so forget about bringing that shade tent for a day in the park.

That said, the city parks are militant about enforcement. Almost to the point of being silly. The Rangers that work the State Parks are a little more forgiving...depending on both your mood, and theirs'. I have been told to take my hammock down a few times in the past 4 years. All but one of those experiences was pleasant. The unpleasant one was a lost cause from the moment I was approached and I didn't even bother to plead my case or explain; just packed up and moved on. The other experiences were about 50/50. A few times they listened and understood, but politely stood firm. A few other times, they asked me to get out of sight with my hammock and "have a nice evening".

It is against the rules and I respect that fact. It won't stop me from pleading my case, but that is always done with the understanding that I will move without a fight. I get my way about half the time. Seems like good odds in this world.

[JRR]

Here in Alabama it's only legal to hang horse thieves and cattle rustlers.

[floorman]

Hang first ask questions later.

[oldgringo]

No laws here, that I'm aware of. Prolly just a matter of time, though. For a bunch of 'publicans claiming to embrace smaller/less government, our ledge is a meddlesome bunch.

[tweety]

Not sure if there are any specific laws for hanging here in Oregon, the problem here is not restrictions but those darn BIG trees Can't get your straps around them

T

[ReXwag]

I've never had issues with anyone not wanting me to hammock. I have had a lot of ranger ask me questions about it.