Short answer
Hammock camping is popular and many people do it without trouble, but it comes with risks that differ from tent camping. Most can be reduced by choosing a healthy anchor, using gear that suits your weight, and paying attention to weather and cold. This article is general information, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your own equipment.
The main risks
- Falls: A hammock hung too high, or with a failed anchor, can drop you. Falls and gear failure are the injuries people most often describe.
- Gear failure: Worn straps, damaged fabric, poor knots or hardware used outside its rating can fail.
- Falling branches: Dead limbs or unhealthy trees can drop in wind or on their own.
- Weather: Rain, wind and lightning are more serious when you are hanging between trees than when you are lying in a tent.
- Cold: Air moves under a hammock and compresses the insulation beneath you, so you can get cold even in mild weather.
- Insects: Bugs can bite through thin fabric, and many hammock campers use a bug net.
Choose trees and a campsite carefully
- Look up before you hang. Avoid trees with dead branches, damage or signs of rot.
- Choose living, sturdy trees of a decent size. If a tree looks small or weak, pick another.
- Avoid hanging over rocks, stumps, water or steep drops where a fall would hurt.
- Avoid dead standing trees entirely.
- Avoid low spots that flood, and consider where wind will come from.
Set up the hammock safely
- Read the instructions and weight limit for your hammock, straps and hardware, and do not exceed them.
- Use wide tree-friendly straps rather than thin rope.
- Hang the hammock fairly low. You want to be able to get out easily, and a lower hang means a shorter fall if something goes wrong.
- Test it before you trust it. Sit in it gently first, with your feet near the ground, and check the knots and anchors.
- Check your gear for wear before every trip.
- Practice at home or in a yard first.
Protect the trees and follow rules
Thin straps can damage bark, which runs against the Leave No Trace habits in camping dos and don’ts, so many parks require wide straps and some prohibit hammocks on certain trees or in certain areas. Do not leave straps tight on trees for longer than needed, and do not use nails or similar fixings.
Sleep warm in a hammock
Insulation underneath you is the key. Options include an underquilt that hangs below the hammock, or a sleeping pad inside it, although pads can slip. A top quilt or sleeping bag handles the top side. Dress for conditions and consider a warm hat. In cool weather, many tent campers find a hammock colder than they expect.
How to sleep in a hammock comfortably
Many people find that lying slightly diagonal, rather than straight along the hammock, lets the body lie flatter. A hammock with enough length and width helps. Do not hang it too tight, since a bit of sag is more comfortable. Try several arrangements at home first. If you decide to compare it with a tent setup, see our tent camping comfort guide.
Weather and storms
A tarp or rain fly above the hammock gives rain protection. Strong wind can bring branches down, so be cautious. In thunderstorms, being among trees is not safe, and you should not shelter under or between tall trees. Check the forecast and have a plan to move to a safer shelter, such as a vehicle or a building, if severe weather approaches.
Hammock camping with children
Hammocks and children need extra care. Check the manufacturer’s weight and age guidance, keep the hammock low, and supervise. Children can lose heat quickly, so pay extra attention to insulation in cold conditions.
About the “200 rule”
People sometimes ask about a “200 rule” for camping. It is not a standard I can verify, and different sources use it for different things, so do not rely on it for safety. Use the manufacturer’s weight rating and local regulations instead.
Hammocks in national parks and other public land
Rules differ by park, forest and campground (see national park camping rules). Some allow hammocks with wide straps, while others limit them to certain areas or restrict them near trails and structures. Check the official website for the specific place or ask a ranger before you go.
Is a tent safer?
Tents avoid some hazards, such as falls from height, and are generally more familiar to new campers. But hammock camping can be done carefully and suits sloped or rooty ground. If you are undecided, compare the other beds in our guide to the best bed for camping in a tent.