 Finding two trees that appear to be the right distance apart is only the beginning of choosing a hammock campsite. Before unpacking your hammock, wrapping straps around the trees or adjusting your suspension, take a minute to inspect the entire area. A quick campsite check can help you identify obvious hazards, reduce your impact on the surrounding landscape and avoid relocating a complete setup later. The basic check is simple:
It takes about 60 seconds, but it can make a substantial difference in where and how you spend the night. Start With Living, Sturdy TreesYour hammock is only as dependable as the anchors supporting it. Look for two living trees that appear solid, stable and large enough to support your hammock without excessive movement. Walk around each tree and inspect the trunk from the ground upward rather than judging it from only one side. Warning signs can include:
You do not need to be a professional arborist to recognize when a tree gives you a reason to question it. When you are uncertain about either tree, keep looking for another site. Leave No Trace hammock-camping guidance recommends using living, sturdy trees and attaching your suspension around the substantial portion of the trunk rather than a small branch or fragile secondary trunk. Use Wide, Tree-Friendly Hammock StrapsThin rope and narrow cord concentrate pressure on a small area of bark. Wide webbing spreads that load across more of the tree and helps reduce damage. Leave No Trace recommends hammock straps made from webbing that is at least one inch wide. Some parks and campgrounds require wider straps or additional padding, so the local rule should always take priority. A good hammock suspension should:
Arrowhead Equipment’s one-inch Hammock Straps are made from durable polyester webbing for a reliable and tree-friendly connection. You can also compare our complete range of hammock suspension systems, straps, whoopie slings and hardware.  Look Up Before You Hang Once the trunks pass inspection, look above the proposed campsite. This is one of the easiest steps to skip, especially when you are tired, losing daylight or excited to get camp established. Scan the canopy directly above the hammock as well as the area surrounding both anchor trees. Look for:
A pair of sturdy trunks does not make the location a good campsite when a damaged branch is hanging above your sleeping area. Check the canopy from several angles. A dead limb can blend into the branches behind it when viewed from only one position. It is also worth checking again when conditions change. Strong wind, heavy rain or a passing storm can make a previously overlooked problem more concerning. No visual inspection can guarantee that a branch or tree will not fail. The goal is to recognize obvious hazards and avoid unnecessary risks. When something does not look right, move to another location.  Check the Ground Beneath Your Hammock A hammock gets your body off the ground, but the condition of the ground still matters. You will stand beside the hammock, arrange your insulation, enter and exit throughout the evening and move around the site after dark. A poorly chosen location can become muddy, slippery or heavily trampled even though you are not sleeping directly on the soil. Whenever possible, use an established campsite or place the hammock over a durable surface such as:
Avoid locations where entering and exiting the hammock will repeatedly damage:
Leave No Trace recommends using established campsites when available and positioning a hammock over a durable surface. Its backcountry guidance also recommends camping approximately 200 feet from water, trails and other campsites unless local rules or designated sites require something different. Read the Shape of the Ground Look at more than the plants directly under the hammock. A shallow depression may collect water after a storm. A narrow channel through leaves and debris may reveal where runoff travels. Loose rocks, exposed roots and holes can become tripping hazards when you get out of the hammock after dark. Consider where your tarp will drain as well. Water running from the edge of a tarp should not collect beneath the hammock or flow through the area where you enter, exit and store equipment. The ground does not need to be perfectly level for hammock camping. One of the benefits of a hammock is the ability to use sites that would be uncomfortable for a tent. You still need a stable area where you can safely stand and move around camp.  Check the Local Hammock Rules Hammock rules are not consistent from one park, forest or campground to another. One location may allow hammocks with one-inch straps. Another may require wider straps or protective padding. Some campgrounds restrict hammocks to designated sites, while others prohibit attaching equipment to trees altogether. For example:
These are examples of why it is important to check the rules for the exact place you plan to visit. Before leaving home, review:
Regulations can change, and rules at an individual campground may be different from the broader rules for the surrounding forest or park. Checking before the trip is easier than discovering at dusk that your planned setup is not permitted. Make Sure the Site Fits the Complete Setup Once the area passes the tree, canopy, ground and regulation checks, make sure it works for all of your equipment. The space needs to accommodate more than the hammock body. Allow room for:
Do not force a hammock into a space that is too short by pulling the suspension excessively tight. Do not use a small branch or weak secondary trunk simply because the main trees are not positioned correctly. Every hammock and suspension system has a slightly different adjustment range. Practicing with your equipment before a trip makes it easier to recognize an appropriate site when you arrive. You can explore Arrowhead Equipment’s current selection of camping hammocks and hammock accessories, along with our hammock tarps and tarp accessories and synthetic hammock underquilts and top quilts. Think Beyond the Two Trees A good hammock campsite should function as a complete camp, not merely a place where the hammock fits. Before committing to the site, ask yourself:
Moving a short distance before unpacking is much easier than relocating a hammock, tarp, quilts and loose gear after dark. The 60-Second Hammock Campsite Checklist Before setting up, pause and make one final pass. Trees Are both trees living, sturdy and free from obvious major damage? Overhead Are there damaged branches, leaning trees or other visible hazards above or near the hammock? Ground Will your movement remain on an established or durable surface? Rules Are hammocks permitted, and does your suspension meet the local requirements? Complete Setup Is there enough space for the hammock, suspension, tarp, guylines and safe movement around camp? When all five answers are yes, you are in a much better position to begin setting up. A Better Campsite Starts Before the Hammock Comes Out. Hammock camping allows us to enjoy wooded places without needing a flat tent pad. That flexibility comes with a responsibility to choose our trees and campsites carefully. Look at the trees. Look above them. Look at the ground. Check the rules. Then hang. That simple habit helps protect you, your equipment, the trees and the places we all return to enjoy. Arrowhead Equipment has been building hammock camping gear in the USA since 2009. Whether you are putting together your first sleep system or refining an experienced setup, explore our hammocks, suspension, tarps, insulation and accessories. Have a trip coming up soon? Our Fast Ship Gear collection includes handmade equipment kept in stock or available with a short turnaround. Made for your adventure. Frequently Asked Questions: How do I choose trees for a hammock? Choose living, sturdy trees without obvious signs of severe decay, major cracks, damaged roots or a dead canopy. Inspect the trunk, base and overhead branches. When the condition of either tree is questionable, choose another location. How wide should hammock tree straps be? Leave No Trace recommends webbing straps that are at least one inch wide. Some campgrounds require wider straps or additional padding, so always check the rules for the specific place you plan to camp. Can I hang a hammock in any campground? No. Hammock rules vary among parks, forests and campgrounds. Some allow hammocks only in designated sites, some specify strap width or protective padding, and others prohibit attaching hammocks to trees. How high should a camping hammock be? Leave No Trace recommends keeping a hammock no more than approximately 18 inches above the ground. A lower setup can reduce the consequences of a fall and make entering and exiting easier. Should I hang my hammock over vegetation? Avoid locations where walking, standing and entering the hammock will damage living vegetation. Use an established campsite or durable surface whenever possible. How far should a hammock campsite be from water? Leave No Trace generally recommends camping approximately 200 feet from lakes, streams, trails and other campsites in backcountry areas. Local regulations and designated-site requirements always take priority. What equipment should fit within a hammock campsite? Allow room for the hammock, tree straps, adjustable suspension, tarp, ridgeline, guylines, insulation and safe movement around camp. Keep the sleeping setup away from fire rings, grills and cooking areas. 
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