A thought... many of the car campsites in PA state parks are being equipped with poles for hangling lanterns and such. It would be cool if they could plant two poles for whatever purposes they want to justify but make the them strong enough for hammocks. I'm not linked into that system of the state but that might be something to investigate/pursue....
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
My wife and I hammock camped from NY to CA and back, mostly in state and National parks. We were never hassled. Of course I never asked for permission either.I suspect it's always better that way. I doubt that many Rangers have had the issue come up ....consequently they probably haven't given it much thought.
I could find nothing in Alabama State Parks regulations about anything relating to hammocks unless it was an ugly hammock...lol...see rule below..
(4) It shall be unlawful to erect or occupy any site with unsightly or inappropriate camping equipment.
Uh... wow. That might as well read, "Rangers can hassle you at any time, for any reason, and you can't do anything about it."Originally Posted by DeShazo
Cant hang in MD state Parks.
Unless you go stealth.
Just a thought.
In my experience, the 'rule' only applies at the campgrounds or designated sites. Probably wouldn't be an effective argument with a Ranger that has already made up his/her mind, but a close read will reveal that the reg does not usually apply outside of the designated areas. All it takes is a 5 minute walk into the woods to avoid the problem. Course, the other option is a stand.
Trust nobody!
In PA a five minute walk into the woods in a state _PARK_ will get you a very sizable fine if caught. Camping in state _PARKS_ is strictly confined to designated site... period... end of discusson. State _FORESTS_ have a totally different set of regulations and there is no problem with hammocks anywhere camping is allowed. Some areas of the _Forests_ are designated sites but that usually means a picnic table and fire ring are present. For the most part the forest is available to open camping unless it would violate the DCNR sanitation or endangered species/willderness area designations.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Some more on that, note quoted emails below from CT DEP below:
"Thank you for taking the time to write with your question on hammock
camping.
While I understand that you and your camping friends are very savvy in
the appropriate application of this camping practice, once an activity
is opened in the parks, all members of the camping would have to be
given the same opportunity. Given the issues my staff sees on a daily
basis with some campers, opening up hammock camping at state park
campgrounds would create numerous problems and cause damage to the very
resources we seek to protect.
Due to past injuries suffered by campers from falling branches, most of
the camping pad areas in Ct campgrounds have been cleared in a large
enough area to accommodate, tents/small campers or, RV's. Any branches
which do overhang designated campsites are inspected on a regular basis
for safety reasons. Additionally, a very dangerous situation would be
created if a sudden lightning storm or microburst were to strike at
night and a less knowledgeable camper were suspended between trees in a
hammock.
It is for these reasons that State Parks will not support hammock
camping. As much as I would like to be able to accommodate your request
as hammock camping looks like fun, our mission is to protect people and
resources on state lands.
Please consider visiting a CT State Park Campground and choosing a more
traditional types of camping during your visit.
XXXXX-
Director"
AND:
"Rick. Hammock’s on an independent frame should not be an issue.
XXXXX-
Director"
Here's the thing. We're talking state parks, so usually car camping, yes? If you really love your hammock, why not rig up a free-standing frame? I plan to do so and will be posting up my results.
Thanks for the informations guys.
I may be camping this week at Taughannock Falls State Park near Ithaca, NY this weekend. It is nice to know the rules so I will try to conceal my hammock as much as possible in case there are any over zealous rangers. I also am just using ropes at this time, so I will pick up some webbing at the local EMS.
During the month of August, I will be taking a week to bicycle to Outerbanks, Carolina. It will be nice to know what states I may have trouble camping if I encounter any state parks along the route. It is just a secure feeling to know you are not breaking any rules and won't have a ranger wake you up in the middle of the night telling you to take your hammock down.
Thanks again guys and keep it coming. This is good information.
Well, that's kind of a different situation.
If a State doesn't allow dispersed camping, then I guess that would be a problem. I have not run into any that don't allow dispersed camping, particularly in winter, but it's good to know that I should avoid PA. Except for the Cheesesteak thing; I'm not giving those up for nothing!
Trust nobody!
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