Noob question about camp sites.

**rsh1954** · 07-05-2009, 22:12

OK - I am a convert had my DoubleNest out now for the third weekend and am loving it. Actually getting good at hanging it too.

Question is I am getting ready to take a motorcycle trip on a small bike over very back/dirt roads from PA down to Tennessee and back with several ground dwellers. I am taking the hammock but am concerned about finding campsites that will let me hang or have trees to hang - I don't want to take the tent now that I have been in the trees I do not want to go back also it is a small bike and room is very scarce. That is one of the reasons I tried the hammock to begin with.
Can anyone reassure me or am I going to find i difficult to hang everywhere?

Thanks for any input or ideas.

Roy

**swampfox** · 07-06-2009, 06:07

From my experience, unless you are camping in open fields with no trees close, you'll have more trouble finding good tent sites. You won't care if it's level, you won't care if there are rocks or roots, you just need two trees. I suspect you will have some converts when you get done.

**gargoyle** · 07-06-2009, 06:22

Some campgrounds can be fussy about tying anything to their trees, probably a good idea to call first and ask, if your sure which campground you'll be at. Or STEALTH yourself and hope you dont get caught. If your in the back woods pick a spot with suitable trees, and very rocky. that way you can watch your freinds suffer.

**Just Jeff** · 07-06-2009, 07:12

Agree with the previous posts. Plus, you'll have a tarp so just set that up as a ground setup if you need to. Or find better friends, who hammock.

**Rug** · 07-06-2009, 07:43

Remember: Its' always easier to ask forgiveness then permission.

**gargoyle** · 07-06-2009, 08:48

True, but don't we want to be politically correct. lets not give the hammock community a bad name. I would hate to have a bunch of rebel hammock people ruin it for an otherwise wholesome community. we should all put our best effort into creating a good karma about hammocks.

**rsh1954** · 07-07-2009, 08:09

Thanks --- Let's see how many converts I can create on this trip!
But I refuse to let anyone "borrow" my hammock during the trip - I refuse to sleep on the ground again.

**Cannibal** · 07-14-2009, 11:10

There is almost always a place to be found to hang. Sometimes it involves using your imagination, but even urban areas are rich in hanging sites. They'll be begging you for help in ordering their first hammock after a few days.

**sef650** · 08-03-2010, 18:01

I have almost the same question, but about state/national parks/forests. How do I know the rules about where I can set up, and do I care? For example, when do I need a permit, and when are straps required for hammocks? I'm thinking of just getting an extra camouflage tarp to hide my motorcycle and take my chances. It might take them a long time to find my body if I get eaten by a bear, but it might be worth it if I can avoid some red tape.

**gRaFFiX** · 08-03-2010, 18:24

Hey SEF, Not sure where you're at in CA but I haven't found a spot that doesn't allow hanging. Most rangers are even inquisitive when you talk to them. As for when to use straps, the answer is always. Rope isn't good because it cuts into the bark. One could make an arguement that the damage is minimal, but why take the risk of "ruining it for everyone" so to speak. Beaurocrats tend to act first and never think, so please use straps. Permits are only required in heavily used areas such as Yosemite, Desolation, and Shasta, but you would require one if you were tenting also. Not sure if you were joking about the bear but I wouldn't worry about it, you taste the same in a tent.