NY State DEC says "camping hammocks" not allowed in DEC campgrounds.

**Broadwater** · 07-19-2016, 11:44

Thanks for staying on this, Dunkard Trapper, and others.

The weird thing is that they seemed to be most concerned about someone seeing the sleeper. Since there is nothing offensive about seeing a person sleeping, I can only imagine they are worried about naked people in hammocks or people doing something in the hammock other than sleeping. I don't know... the more you think about it, the more this trial basis doesn't make sense. They specifically say "If the Hammock provides sufficient covering for the occupant that no passer by or neighbor can reasonably view the sleeper". What if the occupant isn't sleeping? Can they do whatever they want or wear whatever they want in the hammock?

Someone said earlier they should be clear about what things they want to prevent, instead of going after hammock users. I understand in a family campground (and 99% of other public places!), there is a desire not to have nudity nor lewd behavior. If that's what the DEC doesn't want that to happen, they should just come up with specific regulations addressing those items.

**Tyroler Holzhacker** · 05-03-2018, 10:38

When are the powers that be going to realize that hammocks are here to stay and just as viable a means of shelter as tents, trailers, rvs, etc. In fact, they are better in that hammocks leave no trace, or less of a trace than other more resource heavy modes of camping. Let common sense prevail in these policies, and everyone would be better off.

**Jedi hanger** · 05-04-2018, 08:44

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

If you guys would quilt getting naked when using your hammocks we wouldn't have this problem

look how am I supposed to get rid of those tan lines if I do not sleep naked in my hammock?

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**mychal** · 05-04-2018, 08:45

Originally Posted by Jedi hanger

look how am I supposed to get rid of those tan lines if I do not sleep naked in my hammock?

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Fair point.

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**Tyroler Holzhacker** · 05-04-2018, 08:53

I guess, just bring a dummy tent to pitch next to one's hammock would suffice in NY!

**Jedi hanger** · 05-04-2018, 08:57

Originally Posted by ktitan

Interesting discussion guys. As a hammocker I am predisposed to laziness. It is kind of hard for me to get out of the hammock and start acting political. I think this may be a problem for a lot of members here.

Just set your hammock up and lie in it. If anyone asks, you are having a sleep in protest. No need for excess effort and you are passively protesting.

**jeff-oh** · 05-04-2018, 09:03

Originally Posted by Jedi hanger

Just set your hammock up and lie in it. If anyone asks, you are having a sleep in protest. No need for excess effort and you are passively protesting.

I can see the headlines now... In State of New York V. Jedi Hanger SCOTUS rules snoring

as speech and protected by 1st amendment.

**Of Wolf and Man** · 08-30-2022, 15:19

Does anybody know what the verdict was on this? I don’t see any verbiage against hammocking on the DEC Campground rules on the NY State Webpage. I have reservations in a few weeks at Forked Lake DEC campground and Saranac Lake Islands the following week, also a DEC campground and was planning to hammock camp for both trips.

Thanks

**professrh** · 12-05-2023, 13:23

I just hung up the phone with the reservations person at Letchworth. When I asked about hammock camping, she said, "Nope. Not in our park." So there's that.

**gunner76** · 12-05-2023, 22:34

Ask if their ban on hammocks is policy or law. If they say its the law then ask them for the statute that states you can not use a hammock. If they say it is a policy then they do not have a legal basis to enforce their no hammock ban