Hanging in a State Park Against the Rules?

**Caribou Bentspoke** · 09-11-2011, 19:23

Set up after dark. I have a $24 Wal-mart tent I keep for just that "where's your tent" question.

**Oms** · 09-11-2011, 20:14

I politely asked at the Indiana State Dunes which is pretty crowded. They had no problems with it. I didn't feel like setting up a tent late at night if there was a problem. My concern is not doing any harm to the trees, but more of the fact I had tarp cords strung out near the ground. I was near the bathrooms and kids were running by. To me I would think this could be a legitimate reason in a campground. Make sure the cord you use are visible.

**Shoreborn** · 09-11-2011, 20:15

I called a couple of parks on the eastern shore and asked the ranger if hammocks were allowed. I wanted to be sure before I rolled in. They said no problem, as long as it doesn't damage the trees. That was Tuckahoe and Martinak.

**smokeeater908** · 09-11-2011, 20:50

I am having a group hang at Sloppy Floyd State Park in NW Georgia on October 8th, I just went and talked to the head ranger at the park and he was real excited about the idea. It should be a fun hang, I hope.

**Big Jim Mac** · 09-11-2011, 20:54

Good idea bringing the tent. I stayed at Brown County SP in Indiana this summer, no problems hanging but it occurred to em when I was setting up that I didn't have a backup.

**Bradley** · 09-11-2011, 21:13

Originally Posted by Caribou Bentspoke

Set up after dark. I have a $24 Wal-mart tent I keep for just that "where's your tent" question.

Back on the first page this was going to be my suggestion . . .

. . . set up a small tent . . . then Set hammock up after dark.

Our provincial parks in western Canada so far have embraced Hammocks

In my expedience.

**flatline** · 09-11-2011, 21:27

maybe we can come up with a hammock hangers certification and license backed by the Parks Service and Forrest Service on the national and state level? a "trump card" to prevent being ground bound

**slowhike** · 09-11-2011, 21:51

Originally Posted by SoCal Mike

I'm usually a fan of asking for forgiveness instead of permission...

I don't buy the argument that the park information says "tents" and doesn't say "hammocks." You could say you are using a "tent hammock." I find the word "tent" to be ambiguous and if they intended to prohibit hammocks they would have said so. After all, what if I show up and use a bivy sack? What if I sleep out under the stars with no tent? What if I use a tarp with no floor? Am I violating the rules??

A hammock & tarp is a tent... the new & improved tent

Originally Posted by SoCal Mike

To be extra careful, you could contact the rangers ahead of your visit and ask if it's OK. An email would be great because if they give permission, you have it in writing. But this runs the risk of them saying "no" explicitly and now you may be out of luck. If they say no, see if you can take the issue to someone in charge, not the rangers. But this is likely a dead end and a hassle.

Yep, if you talk to them, say by phone, you have opportunity to build a relationship & help them to better understand what you have in mind. Then if they turn you down you can move up the ladder & even still have the "asking for forgiveness instead of permission" option if needed because they never saw your face

Originally Posted by jayemm

I have been reminded in some NC parks not to put a nail in the tree for my hammock (which, of course I would not). I wonder if there is a rule against hanging hammocks, if it is not because of this (in my opinion) poor behavior.

Yeah, I've actually been told that too. I'm like... what

Originally Posted by Caribou Bentspoke

Set up after dark. I have a $24 Wal-mart tent I keep for just that "where's your tent" question.

Another good suggestion.

**pb&j** · 09-11-2011, 21:52

There is a state park in Indiana that will not let you hang anything at all in trees. Once we got seriously hollered at for hanging a soaked pair of jeans over a tree branch. Not even on a line (in which case I would have understood). Anyway, I explained about the tree straps not damaging and was still shot down.

The funny thing is, I have been permitted to hang at several other IN state parks. COs passing by and waving hello. I cannot figure out why the rule is different across the state, but I am happy that most parks are open to hangers.

**slowhike** · 09-11-2011, 21:55

Originally Posted by pb&j

There is a state park in Indiana that will not let you hang anything at all in trees. Once we got seriously hollered at for hanging a soaked pair of jeans over a tree branch. Not even on a line (in which case I would have understood). Anyway, I explained about the tree straps not damaging and was still shot down.

The funny thing is, I have been permitted to hang at several other IN state parks. COs passing by and waving hello. I cannot figure out why the rule is different across the state, but I am happy that most parks are open to hangers.

People... individual people. That's all.
Might be worth a try to go to those in higher authority by phone.