Hammock camping is one of the most convenient and relaxing methods of camping. It’s a super comfortable, easy to set up, safe and secure way to sleep on the ground.
As incredible as hammock camping may seem, it has a very particular requirement. You need two secure tree bases a few feet apart and strong enough to hold your gear. Camping in treeless hammocks is a bit difficult, but not entirely impossible.
In this article I will tell you how to hang your hammock in areas where there are no suitable trees.
So how do you hang a hammock without trees? To hang a treeless hammock, you can make a tripod out of thick sticks in the forest. If a tree is available, you can hang the other end of the hammock to your car or truck. You can also use pebbles to join the ends of the hammock together. Alternatively, you can purchase a hammock stand that can be installed anywhere.
Let’s discuss each of these methods in more detail so you know how to hang a hammock without a trees.
5 Ways to hang a hammocks without trees
Before building a support or using a post, we need to know what our support or anchor network is for. This may sound like a complex calculation, but let me make it easier for you.
Each post in the net must support half its weight.
If you are around 80 pounds, each post should be strong enough to support 40 pounds. without falling apart. So what you need is not just a post, but a post with a strong, sturdy, fixed or riveted base.
1: DIY Tripod Hammock Stand
This is more of a DIY project if you are a DIY enthusiast. You can build own hammock stand using bamboo or any other sticks you can easily find in woods. Just make sure the poles are thick enough to support your body weight.
If you can find a suitable tree to hook one end of the net to, you just need to build a tripod to care for the other end. But if there are no suitable trees nearby, you’ll have to go with two tripods connected by a top bar (see the image below and forgive my poorly drawn illustration)
To start, find suitable branches that are 3 to 4 inches in diameter and cut them back to 8 feet long. You need three legs for each side and one top lane (for a total of 7 8 foot long pieces).
Once you have the wooden legs in place, tie a set of 3 to one end with non-slip string (like this one). Once this is done, space the tripods an appropriate distance apart based on the length of your net.
Attach a pole to both tripods and you are ready to hang the hammock. Put a rain fly on top if the weather is not favorable and you have a comfortable night.
2: Use your car as anchor
This hack is for times when you only have one post, tree, or any other base available and you need another one.
In this scenario, your car or truck may be the best accessory you can get for hammock camping.
Most people go off-roading in pickup trucks or SUVs that have a bed high enough to provide a proper anchor point.
Choose an appropriate anchor point on the body of your car that can support at least half your body weight (avoid the rear view mirror) and park your car near a pole or tree so that the anchor point is at a suitable distance for both ends of the net to tie well.
Tie one end to the tree and the other end of the hammock to the selected anchor point on the body of your car or truck.
The caveat is that you have to select the anchor point very carefully. An anchor that is too weak can break under the door, potentially injuring you and even damaging your car.
3: Use old tent poles
This might be one of the easiest ways to hang a hammock.
If you’ve been camping for at least a while, you may have your old poles and stakes that you won’t use because you fell in love with your hammock. [tent vs camping hammock]
These tent poles are best to use where you can’t find properly spaced trees. Not only are they lightweight, but they are also strong and easy to cast.
For that, all you need is a quick anchor, your tent poles, and some J-hooks.
If the posts are strong enough, you can get away with just one post safely inserted into the ground. But if the poles aren’t strong enough, you can build a tripod-shaped structure with three poles at each end.
Dig a hole in the ground deep enough for the posts to anchor properly. Insert the posts and fill the hole with a quick post anchor.
Once you’ve built a single post or A-frame, let it dry properly, then hang the ends of the mesh over each post and you’re ready to go.
You can use the regular screw, screw, or J-hook to hang the hammock strap from each anchor point.
4: Use rocks to hold your hammock ends
This is the oldest tricks in the book for climbers.
If you have a clean end and don’t know where to put the other end, find a huge rock.
Many of these large rocks can be found while camping, or if you are in a mountainous region with hills next to you, this hack will only work well for you.
Find a crack or spot that is deep and wide enough to hold a large nail or stake. Otherwise, secure the end with bolts or plugs. Then hang a one end of hammock there!
5: Use dog-turtle stand
This method is for those people who don’t want to risk their time, energy and need to get hammock hanging with minimal effort.
These stands are super strong and don’t cost much. They can support up to 400 pounds of weight and are roomy enough to provide the maximum comfort you want.
This hammock stand is one of the best stands among campers. It is 8 feet long and can carry up to 400 pounds. weight which is very good. It’s super cheap and it’s very easy to handle in terms of portability.
