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  1. #1
    New Member Kansasjase's Avatar
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    Hammock Friendly?

    Occasionally I see comments asking about hammock friendly or unfriendly parks. I'm pretty new to this so I have to ask: does this mean some state or national parks have rules specificall against hammock tents? or do these rules apply in general to hanging things from the trees?
    "The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir

  2. #2
    Senior Member captaincoupal's Avatar
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    That's correct. If you're going to stay in a state park (typically a park with campsites), be sure to check ahead with the ranger to make sure that you're not going to have problems with hanging on your campsite. Hammocking as referenced here is typically LNT, i.e., we use tree straps whenever coming into contact with live trees. However, most of the public thinks putting up a string or rope hammock with a couple of ropes (and even nails!) as being appropriate.

    This quickly damages the resources that the parks are trying to manage, and has resulted in the rules you see at some locations. It's our job to abide by these rules gracefully and where possible to educate other hangers as well as the ones making the rules about the possibilities in LNT techniques and how they can sometimes be lighter impact than ground-dwelling.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by captaincoupal View Post
    This quickly damages the resources that the parks are trying to manage, and has resulted in the rules you see at some locations.
    Just to be clear; hammocks did not cause the damage that led to these rules. These rules were in place long before hammock camping even considered going mainstream in what is already a pretty small niche.

    That said, I agree with captiancoupal about the perception of others and how important it is to our little community to keep those perceptions at least anchored in reality. Wide straps go a long ways towards that goal.

    Also, it really is only a problem in State Parks and not in all states. National Parks, Forests, Wilderness, etc. do not have such rules in place. Only a few of the very high-use National Parks are subject to rules that are not friendly to hammocks. Even then, those rules are really only applied in formal camping areas. Backcountry camping in the National Parks is still wide open to hammock use. The trick going forward, will be to keep it that way.
    Trust nobody!

  4. #4
    Senior Member captaincoupal's Avatar
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    You're right, of course, thanks for the clarification.

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