Hammocks are the perfect way to camp — they’re protective, comfortable, and easy to carry no matter where you’re heading. When pitching your hammock, it’s essential you choose a safe campsite and achieve the correct height, angle, and sag for your setup. You also need to remain conscious of the environment around you and cause as little disruption to plants, animals, and other campers as possible.
Learn more about setting up your camping hammock below.
National and state parks and campsites near popular tourist destinations make for some of the best hammock camping locations. You can also seek out campgrounds specifically designed with hammock campers in mind. Follow these guidelines when selecting the best place to set up your camping hammock for the night:
Wherever you choose to set up your camp, remember to practice the Leave No Trace Principles. For hammock camping, this includes planning ahead by bringing the correct safety equipment — like tree straps — camping on durable terrain, using healthy trees, and respecting other visitors or wildlife in the area.
Choosing the right trees to hang your hammock from is critical. Weak trees may bend and buckle, which means they can’t properly support you and your hammock. The result is anything from a poor night’s sleep to your hammock falling to the ground. Strong, healthy trees free of wildlife are the best for hammock camping. Some of the best species to look for are maple and oak because of their strong trunks and large diameter, but many types of trees will suffice.
As you choose your trees, make sure they are:
Always bring a pair of quality tree straps with your camping gear. Hammock setups can cause a lot of damage to trees without them. These straps connect your hammock suspension to each tree while protecting bark from pulling, scraping, scarring, or peeling.
When a tree’s bark is damaged, it exposes the layers underneath to wildlife and the elements. This layer is responsible for carrying food and nutrition throughout the tree’s root system. Without bark to protect this layer, a tree will get sick, weaken, and decay. Excess weight and pulling on tree trunks may also cause tree stress, which weakens it over time. Though these damages may heal themselves or professionals may repair them, some trees may retain scars or experience too much harm to thrive.
Tree straps are useful for absorbing the strain of the hammock. They help distribute that weight more evenly for a comfortable setup. Overall, tree straps are far safer for you and the tree than ropes and cord.
When choosing tree straps, note the recommended weight capacity for each pair. They should be strong enough to sustain you, your hammock, and any accessories. The best tree straps are made of durable materials that have minimal stretch, like polyester, UHMWPE, and Kevlar, and are 1 inch to 2 inches wide. Check with local guidelines to see if they require a specific tree strap width. You can also purchase tree strap extenders to keep in your pack.
The most important step before hanging your hammock is to choose the right one. Never use a lounging hammock for camping. Instead, invest in a hammock explicitly designed for camping. These are more durable and can withstand the elements, as well as tree suspension. The right camping hammock will also meet your length and weight needs. Depending on your needs, there are standard, wide, single and double camping hammocks to choose from.
Once you’ve secured the right hammock, you can use a hammock hang calculator for a good estimate of how to position it. Angle, height, and sag are the three most important factors to consider.
Hammock angle refers to the angle at which your tree straps and suspension hang compared to the tree. The proper hammock angle is about 30 degrees measured from the ground moving up toward your tree straps or webbing. It’s vital that your chosen suspension system and tree straps aren’t stretchy, or they won’t be able to hold your hammock in place at the correct angle.
If you’re not sure how to visually gauge a 30-degree angle, research proper hammock setup instructions with visual aids and consider bringing a picture with you.
Exact measurements for hanging a hammock depend on specific details, like the length of your hammock and how far apart your two trees are. The longer your hammock is and the more spaced the trees, the higher you need to tie your straps. When pitching your hammock, a good starting point is to secure your tree straps or anchor points about 6 feet high, leaving your sag to hang about 2 feet off the ground. Adjust this if necessary to avoid any plants or terrain below.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, sag is an important part of installing a hammock for easy setup and a comfortable night’s sleep. If you tie your hammock too flat in an attempt to create a solid sleeping surface, prepare to wake up with some back pain — or maybe on the ground. Sag cradles your body, conforming to your muscle’s needs and keeping you safe from rolling out of your hammock overnight.
If you stand back and face your hammock, you should see that it is high on the sides and much lower in the middle. The middle sag should look like a wide “U” or a smiling face. With your hammock at 30 degrees compared to the tree, this should help you achieve the perfect sag.
It’s time to start building your hammock camping setup. Here is a brief overview of how to hang a hammock with straps:
For even more information and hammock setup tips, check out DutchWare’s series of hammock tutorials. These videos explain in-depth how to set up a hammock for a safe, secure camping trip.
As hammock campers ourselves, we know there’s no better way to get a good night’s sleep than dozing in a hammock. It’s comfortable and immersive, thanks to the constant fresh air circulation and relaxing sounds of nature around you. Quality hammock sleep depends on your setup — proper sag, angle, and height are crucial elements to consider.
Other tips for proper hammock sleeping include:
DutchWare is your resource for all things hammock camping, including hammocks, tree straps, webbing, suspension systems, hardware, and campsite gear. Get everything you need for your setup today, or learn more helpful tips for staying safe and making the most out of your outdoor adventure.
