The 50 State Project: US State Parks & Hammocks

[JaxHiker]

Kudos JaxHiker! You FL hangers did a great public service with your parks.

I'm hoping we've done enough. For you FL folks, we're almost at the end of the pilot. I didn't get a date so I presume it will stop at the end of April and not sometime in the middle. So get out to your local parks and fill out those surveys!

I've contacted the State and passed along the info for Arkansas. I'm also trying to find out what the timeframe is before we know if we'll see a permanent change in policy. On the first point I'll follow up with Mr. Butts in a few days to see if he's been contacted. On the second I'll share what I learn as soon as I hear something.

[default]

This is awesome, I intend to go across country this summer and wondered how I would plan it, which park etc. When you have gathered your answers were you going to setup a single thread where people can reference the states?

im hoping that once this is finished, the mods would make this a sticky so we can all reference it.

[Gresh]

At what point do we turn this thread into an organizational thing for the Million Hammock Hang in Washington, DC?

[tgbrowning]

Been out of touch for a while with other projects and ran into this thread, much pleased, since I had posted that one message back in December about hammocks in state parks in Louisiana. I'll make it a point to check back in with that same park west of New Orleans this next trip I make there, about the middle of May.

In Oregon, have been able to hang in a park but when I think about it, it was a Lincoln County park on the Alsea River. Cost me the standard camping fee of $20 and while the park manager was interested, he was totally unfamiliar with hammock camping. He solidly approved of my set up with a standard web attachment to the trees. Thought it looked funny as heck though. Considering the tarp set up on the other side of the access road from me, I figure he's got a strange sense of humor. Anybody who will pitch a half-pyramid tarp set up and not make use of trees & bushes for wind breaks amused the heck out of me. But I'm funny that way I guess.

[FBG]

If no one has started a table or spreadsheet I'd be more than happy to organize it on Google and update as data is given. Database Management was part of what I did for 13 years. I have sleep issues too and it would give me something constructive to do!

[Duffy]

Outstanding project!!! Thanks for doing this!

[FBG]

At this time we don’t allow hammocks in our State Parks but I will have our legislation people look into it and forward your email for consideration. I have also attached a link for our Ad Rules that would have to be changed by the legislature if this were going to proceed. http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/adrules/...nts/17-130.pdf

Barbara Foster
Program Assistant
Parks & Recreation
IL Dept. of Natural Resources
Spfld, IL 62702
217-785-8129 Main Line
217-785-2438 Fax

I read the regulations and it can be argued hammock camping falls under "Primitive Camp".

d) Primitive Camp - any camp using a shelter carried to a site via bicycle, canoe, horse or on the back of a camping member.

Nowhere are hammocks specifically prohibited. They are simply not directly addressed or defined in the regulations as tent, trailer and vehicle camping are.

[sjarvis]

[QUOTE=hawghangar;979661]

I am in receipt of your information about the subject. At present, one of our policies can be interpreted to prohibit hammock camping. I’m interested in finding out more information from my colleagues in South Carolina and Florida. I appreciate you sending along the idea.

Greg Butts
Director, Arkansas State Parks
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
(Work) 501-682-7743
(Cell) 501-837-3070
[email protected]
www.arkansasstateparks.com

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Kinda +1 on this sentiment. I've never heard of an Arkansas State Park that prohibits hammock camping, but I hope some bureaucrat in Little Rock doesn't decide to make an interpretation based on an official inquiry - and create a formal policy against it.

+1 on that.

However, we've camped with hammocks in a number of Arkansas state parks (and will be doing so with the Cub Scouts with at least 5 hangers next weekend) and have never been hassled by rangers. If they comment at all, they usually say something along the lines of, "Huh. That's cool," and we have a little conversation about hammock camping. I'm usually quick to point out that straps don't damage trees.

[FLRider]

Thanks for all of the hard work, Rev. This one's getting bookmarked for easy reference when I go out of state.

At what point do we turn this thread into an organizational thing for the Million Hammock Hang in Washington, DC?

If you can find one-point-five million trees, correctly spaced for a two-hammock hang (or two million trees, correctly spaced for a single hammock hang), within DC city limits, I'll buy you a beer.

[default]

Director Tommy Mutz asked me to respond to your inquiry regarding the use of hammocks. New Mexico State Parks Division rules do not address the use of hammocks, so they are not prohibited. However, state parks property and resources are protected by state laws and state parks rules. So, if hammocks are used in a fashion that does not conflict with our laws or rules, use of hammocks is allowed.



I hope this information is helpful.



Thank you for your interest in New Mexico State Parks .



Steve Tafoya

Field Operations Bureau Chief

New Mexico State Parks Division

1220 S. St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, NM 87505

[email protected]

505.476.3367



Thank you so much for your email and continued support of Idaho’s State Parks. I shared your email with our two Region Managers and our Deputy Attorney General, who’s consensus is as follows:

Hammock’s are allowed as long as they do not exceed the section 05. Camping Unit 1 family or 8 persons maximum or associated vehicle maximums nor violate section 576. Protection of historical, Cultural and Natural Resources as stated below and of course pay the respective fees:

05. Camping Unit. A camping unit is the combined equipment and people capacity that a site or facility will accommodate. (3-30-06) a. Campsites. Maximum capacity limits on each campsite are subject to each site's design and size. Unless otherwise specified, the maximum capacity will be one (1) family unit or a party of no more than eight (8) persons, two (2) motor vehicles or one (1) RV or two (2) motorcycles, and up to two (2) tents, provided the combined equipment and people fit within the designated camping area of the site selected.

576.PROTECTION OF HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
The digging, destruction or removal of historical, cultural or natural resources is prohibited. Collection for scientific and educational purposes will be through written permission of the park manager or designee only.

I hope this provides an answer to your question. Please let me know if I can be of additional assistance.

Jennifer


Jennifer Okerlund
Communications Manager
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Ph: (208) 514-2254
Fax: (208) 334-5232