One of the best ways to relax and get off a cold hard floor in the great outdoors is to use a hammock. Hammocks are convenient and laid-back methods of camping relaxing in the breeze.
However, the question is, what happens when hanging a hammock without trees enters the equation?
Luckily, hammock camping without trees or just wanting to string up your hammock for a siesta isn’t impossible.
In our guide, you can learn hammock ideas without trees, so you can relax or camp where it would otherwise be unsuitable.
By the end, you’ll have enough insight to see the best ways how to set up a hammock without trees for your next slumber in nature. (Find the Best Camping Hammocks)
How Do You Hang a Hammock If You Don’t Have Trees?
You may create a tripod stand out of sturdy sticks in the woods for hanging hammocks without trees. If there is only one tree to hang your hammock from, you can tie the other end to your car or truck.
You can also bind your hammock ends with rocks. You may also get portable hammock frames you can use anywhere compared to the traditional way of stringing up your hammock between two trees.
Hammock Stands
With a hammock stand, the globe becomes a hammock-friendly zone. With this helpful kit, you can
go hammock camping without trees in any location, such as beaches and deserts.
There are various hammock stands available. So, when choosing the best wild hammock camping setup, here are a few things to remember for your next outdoor adventure.
- Setup: You shouldn’t have to use special skills or tools for your hammock stand.
- Portability: You need to pack down and carry the right hammock stand and your camping gear. Choose a lightweight model that folds small.
- Strength: The ideal stand needs to comfortably support your weight.
- Rain Shelters: If you are heading off wild hammock camping, you can find some campsites with limited campers to use support trees. Wild camping hammocks often come with a rain fly, but if yours doesn’t, or you are using a conventional hammock. It would help if you had a top rail to support a rain fly to keep you and your camping gear dry.
Cars & Trucks
For car camping, pitching your hammock off the roof rack of your car or pickup truck may be more ideal. Of course, this is only viable if you have a car nearby and a secondary anchor point, such as a boulder, tree, or structures, to connect the opposite end.
This method requires a car with a roof rack and tree straps. Reduce the overall load on your vehicle by tying the straps to the roof rack’s attachment point.
Finish your camping setup by securing your hammock to your roof rack and another anchor point with a suitable space distance between your truck. Find a suitable spot to hang your hammock from your car or truck.
Your hammock can be placed up between two vehicles. If not, find a pole or building to use as a second attachment point, and just watch out. You don’t anchor anywhere near the rearview mirror.
If you have one car and no building, you can use a pole that has an aluminum piece on the top to hold the end of your hammock a suitable distance from your car. You need strong points to secure the pole as part of a tripod to get the perfect hang.
Can A Fence Post Hold a Hammock?
You may wonder if you can use a sturdy post to support your hammock. You can use such items so long as you go about it in the right way.
This is a DIY project for DIY enthusiasts. You may make your tripod hammock stand from any sturdy post that can support your body weight. (Read our Nemo Hammock Chair Review)
If you can only find one suitable tree for one end of the hammock, you will only need one tripod for the other. If no suitable trees are nearby, use two tripods joined by a top rod.
- Find good 3-4 inch diameter branches and cut them into 8-foot lengths. Each side needs three legs, and a top rod for your DIY hammock camping without trees stand.
- Once your wooden pole legs are ready, knot a set of 3 with an anti-slip rope. After that, space the tripods according to your hammock’s length.
- Attach a connecting rod to the top of each tripod and hang your hammock. Put a rain fly on top if the weather isn’t nice.
- If you don’t have any sturdy trees in your yard, fence or porch posts can be used as an alternative.
- This project’s quality posts are widely available. However, your posts must be at least 5 inches in diameter and 6 to 8 feet tall to support your weight while using your hammock.
- Tie a hammock end to each wooden pole and adjust the tension to your liking.
Building Structures
Buildings can be used as anchor points when hammocking at home. Columns, railings, and joists are all great places to pitch.
Most state and national parks offer outdoor structures, shelters, and restrooms. If you’re ready to camp but can’t find any suitable trees, you may always hang your hammock on the side of a building—just ask permission before you do.
At home, you can consider installing permanent hammock structures. Most hammocking structures use the same concept as establishing hammocking anchors with poles.
Building a hammocking structure allows you to get simple materials from the hardware store for your creative hammock structure design. If you are limited to open space, you can use a porch post or sturdy fence posts to fasten your strong hooks.
How Do You Hang a Hammock From a Pole?
Bringing a hammock along on a hike or camping trip is a wonderful experience. Sitting in a hammock is really calming, regardless of whether you’re hammock camping or just taking it easy.
There are various ways to hang a hammock without good trees, like hammock stands, which is a kind of banana shape you can hang in between installing a hammock post or using poles doesn’t need specialized skills.
Old Tent Poles
This is one of the simplest hammock hangers.
You may have old tent poles and pegs that you no longer use since you fell in love with your hammock.
- Build a single-pole or A-frame construction, let it dry, and hang your hammock ends on each pole.
- The hammock strap can be attached to each anchor point using a screw, bolt, or J-hook.
- Hang your hammock from poles or other round supports. Telephone poles and fence posts are typical examples of poles and posts.
- Choose a pole that is big enough and robust enough to hold your weight. The right attachment point is vital. Using hiking poles to make your frame is possible, though you may be lower to the ground. Either way, make sure your pole is strong enough.
Besides this, some national and state parks offer free hammock posts rather than using trees.
Tips for hammock camping without trees:
Installing hammock supports instead of relying on trees gives you more choice to choose safe and ideal settings. Before you put up your hammock, keep the following things in mind:
Choose Location
Camping falls and rough terrain can be highly dangerous. Prior to setting up your hammock, choose a flat, clean area
Choose Suitable Distance
The usually required distance for an ideal hammock stretch should be met before erecting your hammock. The greatest distance is 18 feet, although you can start at 10 feet to get under.
Meet Your Required Height
Because a hammock is a bit stretchy, give sufficient height allowance to avoid sagging. Similarly, you should never hang your hammock too high to avoid injury in case it collapses. (Read Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping And Sports Chair Review)
Pick A Suitable Hanging Method
Some campers prefer to tie their hammock using ropes. However, because tying a strong knot is difficult, this approach is somewhat difficult. As a result, hammock straps are recommended for a quick and painless setup.
