A hammock is a wonderful addition to a set of camping gear, perfect for enjoying a lazy afternoon swinging in the air or relaxing at your campsite after a long day hike. They have the added benefit of being a quite affordable addition as well.
Hammocks are believed to have originated over a thousand years ago and date back to Central America and the Mayan civilization. They were in use in the Caribbean where they were discovered by Christopher Columbus when he saw people sleeping in them in the trees. They were woven from the bark of the Hamack Tree, which is how they got their name. They were brought back to Europe and became popular with sailors who put them to use as naval hammocks on ships.
We bought our first hammock when we started going camping years back. We now have two hammocks, special hammock straps to prevent damage to the trees, as well as a portable stand that we use on our back deck. We love to lay in the hammock and listen to the sounds of the forest or the city as we relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Our hammock has seen the massive trees of Congaree National Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, and plenty of other places around the United States.
Our first encounters with the use of a camping hammock were in Isle Royale National Park. We met someone on the boat to the island that did not have a tent – They were just planning to use a hammock and a rain fly. It seemed to be a light way to travel for a hiker. We split apart on the trails as we were headed to different sides of the island, and made our way instead to Daisy Farm where we encountered our first tree house tent. Tree tents are a type of tent hammock combo that elevate your sleeping arrangements off the ground. When we arrived at Daisy Farm, the campground was full so we ended up splitting a campsite with a pair of hikers that had arrived earlier in the day. When I woke up in the morning in order to catch the sunrise, I found that a group of hikers had arrived after us and had set up their tree tent in the dark. It was a novel arrangement since it allowed them to sleep between the trees and did not have to find a good spot on the ground to set up their camping hammock.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a hammock, including whether you are going to buy a single hammock or a double hammock. Double hammocks have higher weight limits and allow two people to lay in them at the same time. A single hammock is built for one person. If you are going to enjoy one with your significant other you should be sure to order a double hammock.
Hammock Accessories:
One of the great things about a hammock is that you can get a great deal of enjoyment out of them without a great deal of cost. Here are a few of the accessories that we have seen for you to consider:
Hammock Rain Fly – If you are going to sleep outdoors overnight, a rain tarp is a necessity for your hammock to ensure that you are protected from a quick storm. They are also an effective way to protect yourself from too much sun, or block the wind if it picks up. There are also plenty of other uses for a good one around the campsite.
Hammock Tree Straps – If you are going to take your hammock to state or national parks, you need a pair of tree straps that are not going to damage the trees. Practice leave no trace and there will be trees for others to hang their hammock on for many years to come. Ropes can damage the bark. Hammocks were at one time restricted in some parks, but with the invention of tree friendly straps I hope all of those restrictions have now been lifted. Be sure to check whether hammocks are allowed in the parks in your area before using.
Hammock Bug Net – Nothing will ruin your afternoon or evening on the hammock in the forest quicker than defending yourself against summer mosquitos. Pick up a mosquito net for your hammock to fend off the bugs without worry.
Hammock Underquilt – Underquilts add insulation for a warm night’s sleep in your hammock – an alternative to a sleeping pad. They wrap around the bottom of the hammock for an additional layer of warmth. They can make hammock camping a 4-season possibility. Underquilts are not used underneath you inside the hammock because the insulation is compressed from your body weight while sleeping and thus offers less protection against the cold.
Hammock Sleeping Pad – While almost everyone who goes camping has an inflatable sleeping pad, there are now insulated hammock pads for more comfort and stability while in your hammock. If you want to use your regular pad, consider a hammock with a sleeping pad sleeve.
Hammock Top Quilt – This is a form of sleeping bag for hammocks which is usually used in the spring or fall when the temperatures are still chilly but an underquilt is not yet necessary. It is also known as an overquilt.
Portable Hammock Stand – If you want your camping hammock to more than double its usage and you don’t have a good place to hang it, consider a collapsible hammock stand. We bought our hammock stand at REI and it has received plenty of use on our back deck (since we live in the city and do not have trees in our yard). It was during a garage sale while we were traveling in Michigan at the end of the summer season so we got an especially good deal.
Hammocks for Sale
You can find plenty of options on Amazon. There are quite a few hammock manufacturers producing them.