Hanging laws in your state question

[Pipsissewa]

Does anyone know where the regulation that it is OK in Federal parks?

The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations ("CFRs") are the body of regulations that apply to various federal agencies (the IRS has quite a few volumes of CFRs, as you might imagine!)

The CFRs prohibit hammocks on a park-by-park basis. It's not like fireworks or metal detectors which are all prohibited in ALL national parks. So, you'd have to research the particular park you're interested in. For example, 36 CFR Section 1.5(a)(2)(2.1)(b) prohibits hammocks in Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park.

Yeah, it's a cluster!

There will never be a federal regulations that states something is ALLOWED.

[wwk10]

Thanks Pips
Can you check your cite?
I think there is a number after CFR before (a)

[coppertyto]

sometimes its better to ask forgiveness that premission

[Pipsissewa]

Thanks Pips
Can you check your cite?
I think there is a number after CFR before (a)

Oh yeah, Section 1.5 Sorry. I fixed it in my post. Thanks!

[HamMike]

We never have a problem at Ohio hangs. We've been visited by the ranger on several occasions. That includes National and State forests.

[jnelson871]

I handle these regulations by simply hiking till just before dark and then disappearing into the brush to find a good sight. By stealth camping I never end up with any problems from rangers or others. I make sure to do all my cooking and eating well before stopping for the night so I do not have to worry about fires or drawing attention. Not sure if we have any official laws here in CA but since we do for everything else I figure it is simpler to make myself scarce and avoid issues.

[Pipsissewa]

All State Parks in Colorado have a rule against hammocks; more precisely, a rule against attaching anything to trees. Heck, in the city parks, you can't put anything in the ground so forget about bringing that shade tent for a day in the park.

That said, the city parks are militant about enforcement. Almost to the point of being silly. The Rangers that work the State Parks are a little more forgiving...depending on both your mood, and theirs'. I have been told to take my hammock down a few times in the past 4 years. All but one of those experiences was pleasant. The unpleasant one was a lost cause from the moment I was approached and I didn't even bother to plead my case or explain; just packed up and moved on. The other experiences were about 50/50. A few times they listened and understood, but politely stood firm. A few other times, they asked me to get out of sight with my hammock and "have a nice evening".

It is against the rules and I respect that fact. It won't stop me from pleading my case, but that is always done with the understanding that I will move without a fight. I get my way about half the time. Seems like good odds in this world.

I'm curious. Once the ranger found you, what did he/she expect you to do? Was it the location that they objected to or the use of a hammock? When you say you just moved or moved on, what do you mean? Were you able to hang your hammock elsewhere out of sight or did you have to go to ground...or just keep hiking?

[L.D. Cakes]

First thing I though of when I read the thread title ... glad to meet another feller that "ain't right" as my grannie use to say!

Guess I ain't right nether...that was the first thing I thought about too! Course you already knew that huh.

[L.D. Cakes]

What hammock? That's a hanging tent...let me show you.

[Cannibal]

I'm curious. Once the ranger found you, what did he/she expect you to do?

If we're talking about the one schmuck, he wanted me to take the hammock down immediately. Dude was completely unfriendly and I'd argue unprofessional in his approach and handling of the situation.

Was it the location that they objected to or the use of a hammock?

A bit of both, since it was a hammock in a place (Colorado State Park) where they are technically prohibited.

When you say you just moved or moved on, what do you mean? Were you able to hang your hammock elsewhere out of sight or did you have to go to ground...or just keep hiking?

The schmuck didn't care what I did as long as I did it without hanging my hammock in "his" park. The others that made me take down the hammock at the very least expressed concern over what I would do for sleep. I just explained that in a pinch, I can use the hammock as a bivy. It impressed them a little bit more about hammocks, which is great for future encounters, I suppose.

In truth, I just did what I do more often than not anyway; went stealth and slept like a baby.