When the majority of people own a hammock, they will typically suspend it between two trees. However, when it comes to incorporating a hammock into your life, the place you use it doesn’t just have to be home.
You may be at a campsite or you may be at the beach, and there may be no suitable trees in your vicinity. In this case, you will have to be a little inventive.
With a little bit of creativity it is definitely not beyond the realm of possibility to hang a hammock in a non-tree setting.
Luckily, there are additional structures which may be capable of providing enough structure and support to safely and comfortably hang a hammock.
These structures can include: wood posts, anchored rocks, or you can even create your own structure to hang your hammock. You can even use your car as an anchor point for your hammock!
Read on to find out what other supports you could used to incorporate your hammock into a non-tree environment.
8 Ways To Hang A Hammock Without Trees
Use Hammock Stands
If you’re on a roadside camping adventure, hammock stands can be convenient for hanging up your hammock.
They are also available readily from any outdoor gear shop.
Besides the portability of weight and collapsible design of hammock stands, they are ideal for camping.
So you can put them away after usage, they are not insignificant in size when it comes to your travel bag.
With the hammock stands they are easy to assemble.
They include a chain and strap where you attach your hammock.
Use Your Vehicle
Did you know that you can actually use your car to create an anchor for your hammock?
If you’re ever at a campsite that doesn’t have trees and want a hammock time in the air, hook one side of the hammock to a car (and) the other side to a pole. (If you have 2 cars, then you don’t need to use a pole).
When hooking the hammock to your car, you want to strap it to a part of the vehicle that can support your body weight while you’re lying down.
Remember This: You will also need to ensure that the pole on the other side is deep enough into the ground so it doesn’t slip.
Use Poles
Poles are a less expensive alternative if you don’t have the funds for a hammock stand. Also, there is a quick variety of poles you can use, ranging from trekking poles to wooden poles.
Regardless of what you do, if you’re using poles to support your hammock, just ensure they are capable of supporting your body weight without breaking.
When you are using poles to support your hammock, ensure that the distance between them will be stretched enough to support the length of the hammock.
Also, make sure to dig the holes deep enough for the poles. At that point, they will be more secure.
You don’t always have to put the poles in the ground yourself.
When you are camping, there may be telephone poles, or old fence posts you can now use to hang your hammock.
Like this nothing, do not hang your hammock on an electricity pole.
Use Buildings
Outdoor structures can be another option for hanging your hammock:
- Pavilions
- Shelters
- Sides of a building
Most of these locations are available in open areas, campsites, and state parks.
Again, like hanging from your car, you will need a supporting pole on one side as the suspension point for your hammock.
You will, however, have to be very cautious where you tie the hammock to the building. You will need to use heavy duty hooks to tie the cords.
Use Rocks
For those of you who do excursions into rock climbing, this is an ingenious way to hang a hammock!
If you already have support on one end, then look for a big rock to support the other.
Look for a crack or any deep cavity in the rock, and use a nail or peg/brace.
If you couldn’t find a crack or deep cavity, then you can use carabiners, and/or pitons. You can then attach your hammock straps to the anchor, nail, or pegs.
Works Best: It is best to look for rocks that are roughly 10 feet apart from each other, and that are large enough to support your body weight. In terms of height, they should be emulated at between six to eight feet.
Build a Hammock Structure
A more permanent solution for your hammocking problems at home is to build a hammock structure.
You can either take a DIY approach, or build a full-fledged weatherproof outdoor sleeping space.
You can also decide how big you want to build the hammock space based on your personal preferences and budget.
You can use the web for a bit of inspiration on how to construct one yourself.
Most designs account for hammocking anchors using posts.
However, with the construction of a fully-fledged structure, you have the discretion to design it the way you want it.
Use Your Hammock as a Tarp
You can always use your hammock as a tarp when all else fails.
Most hammocks sold in outdoor gear shops, are manufactured from water-resistant materials ensuring you’re safe from the weather.
Here, you hang your hammock as you would if you had a tarp.
If you have no rocks:
- Try poles
- or use a car or nearby building to anchor to.
One option would be to pitch your hammock on poles that are 10 feet apart and use guy lines so it doesn’t shift while you’re using it.
Hang Your Hammock Indoors
While hammocks generally are for outdoor use, they can serve as a unique way to create a relaxation area indoors.
The hardware to hang tattoos outdoors can also be used when hanging a hammock inside. For instance, the anchors you use to hang the hammock outdoors can be used to pitch the hammock on the walls or to support it from the ceiling.
You can start by drilling holes to in which to put the attaching hooks.
Then, screw in bolts, and add the hooks that will support the hammock.
Amazing Hammocks on Amazon
Secrets to Hanging a Hammock without Trees
When choosing alternatives to a tree to offer support for your hammock, you must consider the following factors.
1) Identify an Ideal Spot
Make sure you evaluate the fitness of your site before setting up a hammock without trees.
Make sure that it is not rocky- it is certainly possible you could fall off your hammock and do yourself a wicked injury.
Sure- maybe you have a first aid kit. But anything that you can do to avoid having to use it would be a wiser choice.
Ideally: your site is clean and bare. If it is not, ensure to have a clean up first.
2) Choose the Required Distance
Most hammocks are designed to stretch anywhere from 18 feet, while you can comfortably minimize this distance to about 10 feet.
When selecting your support structure for your hammock, this is a good consideration.
It also will help you determine if you will need additional ropes and straps to pitch your hammock should the space you select be further apart than recommend.
If your hammock stand will remain in the same place:
- Use the potential maximum distance as it allows for more flexibility should you want to get a longer hammock in the future.
- You can also look at adjustable stands that allow you to modify the length of the base, depending on the stretch of the hammock.
3) Meet the Ideal Height
As I stated above, hammocks are stretchy.
This means that you need to ensure that you have adequate height while using your hammock, before you jump onto it.
This will ensure that you are safe when your body weight causes the hammock to stretch ever so slightly.
Don’t have your hammock too high because a higher hammock can lead to serious injury in the case of an accidental fall.
For most people the desired height is four feet. That being said you may be able to go a little higher on some occasions or lower on others based on height differences.
Try different heights to see what works best for you before taking a snooze on your hammock.
For Comfort: If you are under 5’9”, keep your hammock four feet higher than your height. If you are at least 5’10” increase to 4.5 feet.
4) Choose Your Preferred Hanging Method
Even though many people use ropes for tying hammocks, ropes are less secure than straps.
Ropes are also more difficult to set up.
To be safer and to make things easier, use straps instead of ropes.
Straps have loops so you have a way to adjust the height and distance to your comfort level.
Straps are adjustable to allow you to not put too much pressure on the anchor points and suspension points.
While hanging your hammock without trees, always put a 30o angle between your straps and your suspension points.
5) Secure the Anchor Points
There are few things as discouraging – and potentially hazardous – as falling out of your hammock.
The best way to avoid that situation is to check the anchor points right before you slide in.
You might consider checking your anchor points a few times, as well as checking the ropes and straps that secure your hammock.
Most importantly: make sure the structure can support your weight.
How to Build a DIY Hammock Stand
You can make your own DIY hammock stand if you love to build things!
It’s not only easy and cost effective, but it gives you satisfaction when you are done!
Materials
Here are the materials you need to acquire before you start constructing a hammock stand:
- ½” spade bit
- A drill press
- Two pressure-treated posts
- Eyebolts with washers
- Steel carabiner clips with locking bolts
- Pre-packaged concrete
- Water
- Posthole digger
- Waterproofing agent
Procedure
Follow these steps when constructing a DIY hammock stands:
- Apply the waterproofing agent to the hammock posts.
- Using the spade bit, drill a hole for the eye bolt. This is how the hammock attaches to the post.
- Use the post hole digger to dig the holes. Make sure that the holes are deep enough to give you 30% of the poles length in the ground to hold the weight of you when lying on the hammock.
- When the posts are set in the holes you will pour in the pre packaged concrete to hold the posts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Concrete generally takes two days to dry so once firm, you can fill in the hole with dirt.
- Now you have a hammock stand!
Additional Tips for DIY Hammock Stands
After putting together your hammock stand, you’ll want to make your outdoor space feel cozy and welcoming.
For example:
- You can plant grass and do landscaping to make your backyard feel more alive!
- You can add a side table to place a drink as you rock back and forth on your hammock.
- In addition, you should make your shade as close to a shade as possible.
After all, who wants to relax in the burning sun?
You should always have accessories for your hammock, whether you’re at home or on a camping trip.
It’s a good idea to have spare hooks, ropes and straps.
This way, if one of these fail, you won’t cut short your relaxation!
Hammock Stands – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding hammock stands.
What is the Best Type of Hammock Stand?
While it is very much a matter of preference, the best type of hammock is the one that ensures you will receive the comfort you expect as well as safety when in use.
The stand should also co-exist somehow with your home décor so that it doesn’t look out of place!
How do I Choose a Hammock Stand?
Once you’ve found a place that matches your ideal use, check the stand’s safety features.
Then consider many other aspects such as materials, style, and finish.
Always go with a stand made of weather-resistant materials, since you are using it outdoors.
What about Size?
What size hammock stand do you need? Generally speaking, it will depend on your weight and the length of your hammock.
You will need a large frame if you are going to use a two person hammock.
What is the Capacity of a Hammock Stand?
Typical hammock stands have a capacity of 250 – 800 pounds depending on the size and material used to construct the stand.
Double hammock stands can support way more than just 1,000 pounds!
Final Words
By now you have perfected the art of hanging hammocks without trees.
That means wherever you go, you can create your own relaxing sanctuary, regardless of vegetation.
But first and foremost, stay safe when hanging your hammocks. Whatever straps, ropes, or pes are you use, must come from producers with reputations.
To the same end, make sure your mechanism of support is also solid whatever pole meets your needs, your car chassis, a building, or rock face, must be able to withstand your pressure on it.
Finally, don’t hang your hammock in rocky areas, better to balance it out if you fall somehow there fall is been limited, don’t forget when camping to take a first aid kit.