As Fall approaches, the weather is cooling down and time outdoors seems increasingly appealing. Hammocks are a great way to chill outdoors, no matter the condition of the ground below. Here are four easy steps to hanging your hammock.
1. Find your points
Whether you use trees, poles or even your truck hitch, you need to identify two points from which your hammock will hang. For best results they should be no more than 10 to 12 feet apart.
2. Tree straps
While many hammocks come with cords to hang them, many national and state parks require you to use tree straps if you intend to hang your hammock from a tree. They are less damaging to the tree bark and generally provide a stronger hold. Wrap your tree straps around each of your selected points.
3. Attach hammock
Once your tree straps are around your selected points, attach an end of your hammock to either point. Ensure that your hammock pulls taunt between the points. If your hammock is too loose, you will touch the ground instead of hanging above it when you get in.
4. Climb in
Once your hammock is up, all that’s left to do is climb in and hang! Take a nap, read a book or just look up and watch the sky. There are hammocks for nearly every climate and condition. (There are even hammock hot tubs!)