Hammock Camping for Beginners

By topquilt.com · Updated Oct 21, 2026 · 6 min read

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Hammock camping for beginners can feel like a new language: ridgelines, underquilts, diagonal lays. But the basics are simple, and getting them right on your first night makes the difference between "never again" and "never going back to a tent." This guide covers what to buy, how to hang it, how to sleep in it, and how to stay warm.

Why hammock camp?

• Comfort: no rocks, roots or slopes, and no pressure points on hips and shoulders.
• Campsite flexibility: any two healthy trees will do, even on uneven or rocky ground.
• Lower impact: no flattened vegetation or cleared tent pads.
• Dry in rain: you're off the ground, so pooling water isn't a problem.

The trade-offs: you need trees, the setup has more parts, and staying warm takes more thought than in a tent. All are manageable.

The gear you need

Here's the short version. Our hammock gear checklist has the full list.

Hammock

A gathered-end camping hammock about 10-11 feet long and 55-65 inches wide suits most adults. Longer hammocks make the diagonal lay easier. Many beginners start with an ENO or Kammok hammock (check price on Amazon), though taller people often prefer an 11-foot camping hammock from a cottage maker. See best hammocks for backpacking and gathered-end vs bridge.

Suspension

Wide tree straps protect bark and are required in many parks. Adjustable straps with buckles or daisy chains make hanging fast (check price on Amazon).

Tarp

A tarp keeps rain and dew off and blocks wind. An asymmetric or hex tarp around 10-11 feet long works for most three-season trips.

Bug net

Essential in mosquito season. Some hammocks have one built in; otherwise, use a separate net that encloses the hammock.

Insulation: top and bottom

This is the part beginners most often get wrong. You need insulation above you and below you:

• Top: a top quilt or your existing sleeping bag, opened like a quilt. See the hammock top quilt guide.
• Bottom: an underquilt hanging outside the hammock, or a sleeping pad inside it. See the underquilt guide and sleeping pad in a hammock.

How to hang a hammock, step by step

1. Pick your trees. Healthy, live trees at least about 6 inches in diameter, roughly 12-15 feet apart. Look up for dead branches ("widowmakers") and avoid them.
2. Wrap the straps. Put straps around each tree at about head height (roughly 5-6 feet). Wider, flat straps; never thin rope.
3. Attach the hammock. Clip or toggle the hammock to the straps.
4. Set the sag. Aim for about a 30-degree angle between the suspension and horizontal. Beginners almost always hang too tight; a tight hammock is uncomfortable, pinches your shoulders and puts more load on the trees and suspension.
5. Check the height. Sit in it. The hammock should sit about chair height, with your feet on the ground.
6. Hang the tarp. Run its ridgeline above the hammock, centered, and stake out the sides. Pitch it lower on the side the wind comes from.
7. Hang the underquilt. Clip it on and snug it until it touches the hammock. Fine-tune once you're lying in it. See how to hang an underquilt.

How to lie in a hammock: the diagonal lay

Lying straight down the middle of a gathered-end hammock puts you in a banana curve. Instead:

1. Sit in the middle of the hammock.
2. Swing your legs in and lie back.
3. Shift your head about a foot toward one side and your feet about a foot toward the other.
4. Adjust until your back feels flat and there's no pressure behind your knees.

A small pillow under your knees helps if you feel pressure there. Many people also put a pillow or stuff sack under their neck. Side sleeping is possible in a wide hammock with a deeper diagonal.

Staying warm: the beginner's system

Use the right insulation for the expected low. Our hammock temperature guide has a full table, but a simple start:

Also:

• Change into dry clothes and wear a hat on cool nights.
• Block the wind with your tarp.
• Eat something before bed.
• Learn how to use a top quilt in a hammock, especially sealing the neck.

For the full picture, read the hammock insulation guide.

Budget-friendly first setup

You don't need to buy everything at once.

1. Start with a hammock and straps you can practice with in the backyard or a park.
2. Use your existing sleeping bag as a top quilt and a foam or inflatable pad underneath.
3. Add a tarp before your first overnight with any chance of rain.
4. Upgrade to an underquilt first; it makes the biggest comfort difference.
5. Upgrade to a top quilt next. Budget options from Paria and others work well to start (check price on Amazon); see best budget top quilts.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

• Hanging too tight. Uncomfortable, and it increases load on trees and gear. Go for about 30 degrees.
• Hanging too high. Chair height is safest and easiest.
• Skipping bottom insulation. The most common first-night mistake.
• Lying straight. Lie diagonally.
• No practice. Do a backyard night before a backcountry one.
• Ignoring rules. Some parks restrict hammocks or require specific strap widths; check before you go.
• Using dead trees. Always check that trees are alive and sturdy, and look overhead.

Your first night: a practice plan

A backyard or nearby car campground is the ideal place for night one. Plan it like this:

1. Daytime rehearsal. Hang the hammock, tarp and underquilt in daylight. Time yourself; you'll get faster quickly.
2. Nap test. Lie in it for 20 minutes. Adjust sag and lay angle until there's no pressure behind your knees or squeeze at your shoulders.
3. Night one close to home. Choose a mild night, with lows in the 50s or 60s. Bring more insulation than you think you need and a way back indoors.
4. Take notes. In the morning, note what was cold, what was uncomfortable, and what you'd change. A small adjustment to sag or underquilt height usually fixes most first-night issues.
5. Go a bit further. Next, try a car camp or a short overnight hike, then lower temperatures as you gain confidence.

Dealing with rain

Rain is less of a problem in a hammock than many expect. You're off the ground, so pooling water and splash don't reach you. Pitch the tarp first, before unpacking anything else, so the rest of your gear stays dry. Make sure the tarp extends well past both ends of the hammock, and add drip lines (short cords tied to your suspension) so water running along the straps drips off before reaching the hammock. In blowing rain, pitch the tarp lower and closer to the hammock.

Leave No Trace for hammock campers

• Use wide straps to protect bark.
• Hang only from healthy, sturdy trees.
• Use established campsites where possible.
• Don't hang more than one hammock from a single tree pair beyond what it can handle; avoid stacking hammocks on small trees.

Is hammock camping safe?

Yes, with sensible precautions. The main risks are falling (minimized by hanging at chair height and using rated suspension), falling branches (minimized by checking overhead and avoiding dead trees), and getting cold (minimized by proper bottom and top insulation). Inspect straps and carabiners before each trip, and replace anything frayed or bent.

Next steps

Once you've got a few nights in, you'll know what you want to improve. For warmth, see best hammock top quilts and best underquilts. For weight, see ultralight hammock setup. For cold-weather trips, see top covers and hammock socks and winter hammock camping.