Freestanding only hammocks in Ozark National Scenic Riverway campgrounds

[runners_low]

I was just told by a representative that the Ozark National Scenic Riverway has implemented a free-standing only hammock rule for camping. No tree straps of any kind. The concern is tree damage.

This is apparently an administrative rule for ONSR only, not the entire NPS.

From Site: "Camping Regulations
Hammocks are prohibited from developed campgrounds and cannot be tied to trees. Self-standing hammocks are allowed."

[OneClick]

Four years ago >> How long until hammocks are banned for good?

It happens. Yes, I'm the pessimist. In my admitted selfishness, I was hoping "hanging" and "hammocks" would be a fad. Something to fizzle out quietly, leaving just us to enjoy without repercussion. Obviously, that didn't happen. It hung on strong and grew like wildfire.

Life...she's hard!

[Eidson]

I was just told by a representative that the Ozark National Scenic Riverway has implemented a free-standing only hammock rule for camping. No tree straps of any kind. The concern is tree damage.

This is apparently an administrative rule for ONSR only, not the entire NPS.

From Site: "Camping Regulations
Hammocks are prohibited from developed campgrounds and cannot be tied to trees. Self-standing hammocks are allowed."

You freaked me out a little bit with your original pre-edited post.

I'm glad to see your edit mentions the "developed campground" and not just in general along the riverway.

A group of us usually make it to the area a few times a year and I'm converting more and more of them to hammocks. I love much of the more secluded areas of the ONSR, so it'd really pain me if I couldn't hang along them any longer.

Sometimes we'll do a multi-day float and spend the final night at a camp ground, so I'll have to keep this regulation in mind. We're usually there in the very off-season times and rarely encounter others on the river, so it doesn't concern me too much, but enough that I'll pack along a stand in the vehicles and be sure to warn some of the rest of my group who have since ditched their ground gear.

I believe it might have been this way for most of the current year. I had some friends in the area that said they were "warned" some time late spring, but didn't mention the specifics. I didn't realize the full extent of it, so I appreciate you posting.

[Latherdome]

I feel a fine blend of anger, pity, and commercial interest resolving to shame, to read such news. Anger at the fools who damaged enough trees for this to seem warranted, anger at the decision to lump good and bad hanging practices together, pity that many may not be able to hang whether newcomers or veterans, and shame at commercial interest as a maker of portable hammock stands