How To Hang a Hammock for Maximum Relaxation

Choose a suitable location

Ideally, find a space between two objects that’s two to four feet wider than your favorite hammock is long. These can include any combination of trees, wooden or metal posts, beams, car racks or other stable structures you can wrap a strap around.

Pro tip: Get a set of adjustable hammock straps like these from Yellow Leaf Hammocks, which take all the frustration out of tying knots and fine-tuning the hang height.

No matter what you hang your hammock from, proceed as follows:

• Check for insect nests or hazards above and below the hammock that could fall on you, or that you could fall onto if the hammock fails.
• Stay at least 200 feet away from any water source, as per outdoor courtesy and water contamination regulations in many camping areas.
• Make sure your site isn’t blocking the path of animals or people.
• For optimal comfort, anticipate how the sun and shade will progress during the day.

If you’re hanging your hammock from a tree:

• The trunk should be a minimum of six inches in diameter, to avoid snapping or over-stressing the tree.
• Avoid breaking branches or damaging other vegetation around the hammock site.
• Always use tree-friendly straps made of flat webbing, and avoid narrow-gauge rope that can cut into the bark.
• Don’t hang a hammock in a tree where birds are nesting, or there are broken or dead branches above you.
• Never hang a hammock from a dead tree.
• Never drill or nail into a tree.

If you’re hanging your hammock from wooden posts or beams:

• Make sure they are at least four inches by four inches and anchored at least three feet into the ground with concrete reinforcement.
• Steer clear of rotting wood.

If you’re hanging a hammock from pipes:

• Never hang a hammock from water or sewer lines, for obvious reasons.

If you’re hanging a hammock from a vehicle rack:

• Make sure the rack is solid and rated for your weight.
• Make sure the vehicle is in park.

If you have a hammock stand:

• You’re done. Skip to Step 4.

Karuna Eberl for Family Handyman

Install the attachment points or straps

• If using hammock straps, wrap them around the tree or post by inserting one end through the loop, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• For a more permanent installation on wooden posts, use a through-bolt method through the beam (vs. a lag bolt) to keep it from pulling out over time.
• Pull down on the straps firmly, test they’re secure and won’t slide once you’re in the hammock.
  

Karuna Eberl for Family Handyman

Hang the hammock

• Clip the hammock ends onto the strap loops.
• Adjust the height so it’s at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the ground. For maximum safety, the bottom should be only a couple of feet off the ground once you’re in it and it’s fully stretched. Usually this means the straps will be about five feet off the ground, around the tree or post.

Pro tip: Avoid hanging your hammock too taut. It may seem like it will be flatter, but it actually makes the sides more constricting once you’re lying in it.

Karuna Eberl for Family Handyman

Take a nap

Congrats, it’s now time to kick back, relax and recover from all of your hard hammock-hanging work.

Consider the following props:

• Good book or sketch pad;
• Hat to keep sun from eyes;
• Pillows and blankets;
• Portable speaker;
• Favorite beverage and snacks;
• Chill canine companion.

Pro tip: When you’re done relaxing, bring your hammock indoors, especially if it’s made of thin nylon fabric. Long-term UV damage can make it brittle and rip when you’re all stretched out and snoozing. We discovered this the hard way.

Karuna Eberl for Family Handyman