A Beginner’s Guide To Hang Camping Hammock Without Trees
Traditionally, camping hammocks would be used by stringing the ropes between two trees between 12 and 18 feet apart and finishing them off with a hammock strap. A highly comfortable rest indeed, but highly inconvenient if the trees in your backyard or while you’re out camping barely exist. It’s not uncommon to find the perfect camp site to realize after unpacking everything that there are no satisfactory trees to hang a hammock on. However, hanging a hammock without trees in site can be done.
Fortunately, new developments in camping resources have provided a solution to this problem. Nowadays, it is possible to enjoy camping hammocks without the need to tie rope or straps to trees. There are a few DIY methods as well as items you can buy to aid you in the best set up. Which in this article I hope to provide information on how to hang camping hammock without trees.
How Can I Hang A Camping Hammock Without Any Trees?
As I mentioned above, the traditional camping hammock would require rope, straps and trees to be “pitched”. Many of the newer camping hammocks do not require trees if you have the right equipment. All you require are two strong points that allow you to tie the ends of the hammock. This could be considered a form of installing the hammock to a support system similar to trees.
Of course, when installing the camping hammock it is important that it hangs low enough to prevent any risk of injury should the hammock fall. Your support system would also need to similar to that of a trees distance apart to get the right hang.
The Different Ways To Hang A Hammock Without Using Trees?
Currently, there are three different methods available to hang camping hammock without trees. The techniques are discussed below:
#1 Recommendation: Portable Hammock Frames
The desire to use hammocks in urban areas has resulted in the creation of the hammock frame. In today’s society, it is possible to purchase various types of hammock frames created using different materials and based on various designs. Typically, hammock frames are made of metal but they can also be purchased with wooden frames.
A hammock frame used for camping can come in a few shapes and sizes. But the more common design consists of two long supporting rails that sit parallel to the ground. In many cases, the ends of the frame will turn up so that the hammock can be set to your preferred height. Frames utilize hooks to hang the hammock, but it is also possible to use eye bolts. One benefit of the hammock frame is that it is portable and simple to set up.
When choosing a frame to take camping, fishing, bird watching etc, it important that the frame consists of 3 main features. They are:
- Portability & Lightweight – The hammock frames MUST be able to be broken down into 4 or 5 pieces so that they can easily fit inside your trunk of the car. A lightweight frame is ideal, especially if you plan on hiking with it for a certain distance.
- Sturdy design with some flex. Pretty self explanatory, the frame needs to be able to handle your body weight and have some flex to it so it doesn’t snap one day while your relaxing by the shore.
- Does it accommodate a rain fly or tarp. Staying dry while camping is the number one priority while relaxing or sleeping. So make sure that the hammock you buy has the ability to strap a tarp to it or your hammock comes with a rain fly built in.
Best Portable Hammock Frame For Campers
The ‘Ceara’ On Amazon
As previously mentioned, one of the most important features of a hammock stand for hanging your hammock when camping is being able to pack down and assemble. This Ceara Hammock Stand by Byer Maine folds down and assembles in a flash.
Who Is The Ceara Hammock Stand For
This stand is the best built strongest one I’ve come across. While being super sturdy, it’s the best choice for anyone that doesn’t want hassles and to mess around digging holes or making a DIY stand. Set it up and in minutes you can be hammock camping in your favorite spots.
However, it does weigh 44lbs, so don’t plan to hike too far with this stand as it could get heavy. Unless you can share the workload around with others. While it weighs 44 pounds, it has a huge weight capacity of 440 lbs. So most campers should easily be safe in this strong steel hammock frame.
What’s good about this frame is that it adjusts from 124″ to 149″. So it caters to many camping hammocks including the Enu Doublenest. From there you just attach your hammock straps as you normally would to a tree. Presto, instant portable hammock in the outdoors.
Overall it’s one of the most heavy duty frames I’ve used and that weight capacity is huge. It’s very portable as it only takes seconds to take down and works tremendously with camping hammocks. Even the ones that have a deep sag.
Semi Permanent Hammock Posts
In the absence of trees, it is possible to hang a hammock utilizing posts in concrete. While not ideal for camping in parks etc, they can be great for other uses. One of the better ones is by Algoma Net ‘Removable In Ground Post‘ for hammocks.
Set approximately five inches by five inches, these concrete posts are able to mimic mature trees. The height of the post can meet your personal preference making it high enough to hold a personal hammock above the ground. This preferential post height is important because each person tends to have a specific preference regarding the height of the camping hammock. Distance between the concrete posts should not be more than a few feet with the ideal distance being approximately eighteen feet.
An extra length of a post is inserted into the ground to ensure secure support of the camping hammock. To construct this, it is recommended that you dig holes to a depth of approximately thirteen inches and a width of approximately four inches. Digging can be done with a shovel and adding gravel to the hole can assist in draining water during the night.
Using The Outdoors Porch
*Not For Camping
It is also possible to utilize a porch post support system to hang camping hammock without trees. This porch post technique includes the use of a front porch along with sturdy posts as support for the hammock. The distance between the posts must not be greater than eighteen feet to ensure that the hammock will be securely supported. If the support is not secure, you will be placed at risk of incurring injury by landing on the porch railing.
While the porch post typically uses posts with a porch railing, it is possible to use posts that do not have any railings. In this case, the hammock will be hung between porch corners. To secure the hammock in this fashion, you will need to slip resistant leather to the hammock with tie-off hooks around the posts.