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Snow-dusted granite cliffs and a waterfall above a forest in Yosemite National ParkPhoto: Aniket Deole / Unsplash
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Best National Parks for Hammocking

Big scenery, real rules. Here is how each park handles hammocks.

  1. A view of a mountain with a sunset in the background
    1.Shenandoah National ParkRestrictions apply

    Leafy ridgelines and long views over the valley make Shenandoah a relaxed place to hang. Book a site marked hammock friendly and bring wide straps.

    Virginia, USA · Best May to June and September to October
  2. A landscape with trees and hills
    2.Great Smoky Mountains National ParkRestrictions apply

    Dense hardwood forest means trees are never the problem in the Smokies. Follow the 10 inch tree rule, pad your straps and you will have one of the best hangs in the East.

    Tennessee / North Carolina, USA · Best April to June and September to October
  3. Snow-dusted granite cliffs and a waterfall above a forest in Yosemite National Park
    3.Yosemite National ParkRestrictions apply

    Granite walls, giant pines and a river running through the valley make Yosemite a classic hang. Campgrounds book up fast, so reserve early, bring wide straps or tree pads, and you are good to swing.

    California, USA · Best May to October
  4. Landscape photography of river with trees
    4.Olympic National ParkRestrictions apply

    Mossy rainforest, wild beaches and alpine ridges all in one park. Rules on hammocks are not spelled out, so bring a tarp for the rain, use tree savers and confirm at a ranger station.

    Washington, USA · Best July to September
  5. Green trees near lake and snow covered mountain during daytime
    5.Grand Teton National ParkRestrictions apply

    Few views beat the Teton skyline from a hammock by the lake. Book a site that lists hammocks, bring bug spray for early summer and use wide straps.

    Wyoming, USA · Best June to September
  6. Green trees near lake under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
    6.Rocky Mountain National ParkRestrictions apply

    Alpine lakes, elk in the meadows and big pine and aspen stands give you plenty to look at from your hammock. Keep it inside your site, skip Timber Creek and watch the sky for afternoon storms.

    Colorado, USA · Best June to September
  7. Green trees on brown rocky mountain beside blue sea under blue sky during daytime
    7.Acadia National ParkRestrictions apply

    Spruce forest, granite shoreline and ocean air make Acadia a great East Coast hang. Pick a site with trees right at the pad and you are set.

    Maine, USA · Best June to October
  8. People on beach shore during daytime
    8.Yellowstone National ParkRestrictions apply

    Lodgepole forest, steaming geyser basins and wildlife everywhere make Yellowstone a bucket list stop. Rules on hammocks are not spelled out, so keep it inside your site, use tree savers and ask the campground host.

    Wyoming, USA · Best June to September
  9. A view of a mountain range with a lake in the foreground
    9.Glacier National ParkRestrictions apply

    Glacier has clear lakes, big peaks and plenty of conifers. Pack a solo hammock and wide straps, and pick a spot over bare ground inside your site.

    Montana, USA · Best July to September
  10. People walking on seashore during daytime
    10.Tulum Beaches and Tulum National ParkRestrictions apply

    Turquoise water, Mayan ruins and palm shade are Tulum's calling card. Inside the national park, rules are tight and hammocks are not mentioned, so hang at your hotel or beach club.

    Quintana Roo, Mexico · Best November to April
  11. Brown mountains with forest
    11.Zion National ParkMostly prohibited

    Zion is stunning, but it is a no hammock park. Leave the hammock in the car, or hang it from a portable stand on private land outside the park in Springdale.

    Utah, USA · Best March to May and September to November
  12. Cactus plants in desert
    12.Joshua Tree National ParkMostly prohibited

    Joshua Tree is a stargazing dream, but it is not a hammock park. Bring a freestanding hammock stand for camp or a camp chair, and leave the trees alone.

    California, USA · Best October to April
  13. An aerial view of a beach and ocean
    13.Manuel Antonio National ParkMostly prohibited

    Monkeys, sloths and white sand beaches make Manuel Antonio a must, but leave the hammock at your hotel in Quepos. Plenty of lodges nearby have hammocks waiting.

    Puntarenas, Costa Rica · Best December to April
A view of a mountain with a sunset in the background
Restrictions apply
7.5
Hammockability
Virginia, USA
Shenandoah National Park

Likely yes, since campsites list hammocks as permitted equipment, but the park has no published hammock rule, so use wide straps and stay inside your site.

Fall colorSkyline DriveEasy access
A landscape with trees and hills
Restrictions apply
7.3
Hammockability
Tennessee / North Carolina, USA
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Yes, hammocks are allowed in campsites and designated backcountry sites with tree saver straps, but never in or on shelters.

BackpackingFall colorForest hangs
Snow-dusted granite cliffs and a waterfall above a forest in Yosemite National Park
Restrictions apply
7.1
Hammockability
California, USA
Yosemite National Park

Yes in park campgrounds, as long as you pad the trees, skip oak trees and keep it from becoming a hazard.

Epic viewsCampground hangsPhotographers
Landscape photography of river with trees
Restrictions apply
7.1
Hammockability
Washington, USA
Olympic National Park

Probably yes with tree friendly straps, but Olympic does not publish a hammock rule, so check with a ranger.

RainforestMoody vibesBring a tarp
Green trees near lake and snow covered mountain during daytime
Restrictions apply
6.8
Hammockability
Wyoming, USA
Grand Teton National Park

Yes at campgrounds like Colter Bay that list hammocks as permitted equipment, though the park has no detailed hammock rule.

Mountain viewsLakesideWildlife
Green trees near lake under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
Restrictions apply
6.7
Hammockability
Colorado, USA
Rocky Mountain National Park

Yes inside the footprint of your campsite, except at Timber Creek Campground where hammocks are banned.

Alpine lakesSummer escapesWildlife
Green trees on brown rocky mountain beside blue sea under blue sky during daytime
Restrictions apply
6.7
Hammockability
Maine, USA
Acadia National Park

Yes in campgrounds, but only on trees you can reach without stepping off the campsite pad.

Coastal forestSunriseFamilies
People on beach shore during daytime
Restrictions apply
6.6
Hammockability
Wyoming, USA
Yellowstone National Park

Probably yes inside your campsite with tree friendly straps, but Yellowstone does not publish a clear hammock rule, so confirm with your campground.

WildlifeRoad tripsGeyser days
A view of a mountain range with a lake in the foreground
Restrictions apply
6.4
Hammockability
Montana, USA
Glacier National Park

Yes in campgrounds, but only single person hammocks over bare ground inside your site with straps at least one inch wide.

Big viewsSummer onlySolo hangs
People walking on seashore during daytime
Restrictions apply
5.9
Hammockability
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tulum Beaches and Tulum National Park

Unclear inside Tulum National Park, where chairs, umbrellas and food are restricted, but hammocks are everywhere at beach clubs and hotels.

Beach clubsSunriseHammock culture
Brown mountains with forest
Mostly prohibited
4.5
Hammockability
Utah, USA
Zion National Park

No, Zion prohibits hammocks and slacklines in its campgrounds and wilderness, and nothing may be attached to trees.

Canyon hikesBring a standDay trips
Cactus plants in desert
Mostly prohibited
4.5
Hammockability
California, USA
Joshua Tree National Park

Not in campgrounds and never on Joshua trees or junipers. Hammocks can only be tied to rocks or climbing bolts outside campgrounds.

StargazingBring a tentWinter trips
An aerial view of a beach and ocean
Mostly prohibited
4.5
Hammockability
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park

No, the park's public use rules bar bringing hammocks, tents and tarps, and camping is not allowed.

WildlifeBeach dayBring a towel