How To Tie A Hammock

Hammocks are a great way to relax and enjoy your time outdoors while staying up off the ground.

Whether you want one to sleep in for the night or just for somewhere to lie back and relax after a long day, a hammock is a great type of bed to use wherever you are – but exactly how do you set one up? 

Here we are going to explain how you can tie up your own hammock so you can set it up no matter where you are! 

Step One: Find The Right Spot

First things first, you need to find the right spot to set up your hammock.

A common mistake a lot of people make is that they choose two trees that are either too far apart (thus stretching out their hammock, causing it to rip) or too close together. 

So, to avoid this, you will need to find two trees that are the same distance apart as the length of your hammock.

Any closer and your hammock won’t work effectively and you’ll be lying on the ground, but don’t choose two trees that are 18 inches over on both sides of your hammock. 

Once you have found the right spot, it’s time to start hanging up your hammock! 

Step Two: Tie The Straps

On either end of your hammock, you should have two straps or pieces of rope. 

If your hammock comes with straps, then tying your hammock will be easy. All you need to do is wrap the straps around each tree and loop them through the metal ring.

Tie off the end with an end knot such as an overhand knot. 

Overhand knots are one of the most basic knots we all use day to day. To make one, just form a loop and  pass the end through the loop you have created.

Tighten it by pulling the end until the knot is complete. If you are using straps and metal rings, then this knot will be enough to secure your hammock to your trees. 

However, if you are using a piece of rope on either end of your hammock, then you will need to use one of the following knots to tie your hammock securely to each tree.

Take a look at the below knots to see which one works best for you. They all work great at keeping your hammock  so choose which ones are the easiest for you to pick up to try out next time you need to tie your own hammock. 

The Half Hitch

The half hitch is a popular knot used by campers and outdoor enthusiasts, so it’s likely that you already know how to tie this knot.

However, if not, then here is how you can use a half hitch knot to tie a hammock. 

First, loop the end of your rope around your tree twice and then bring the tail end back to your rope.

Pass the tail end over the rope, and then through the bottom of the loop you have created around the rope. Pull the tail end tight to create the knot. 

If you find that the half hitch is not enough to secure your hammock, then tie another end knot to secure the rope. 

The Bowline

The bowline is another super simple knot  that a lot of campers and outdoor enthusiasts use in a number of ways. One way you can use this knot is to tie your hammock to a tree, so here is how you can tie a bowline:

First, you will need to create a small loop in your rope that is not tied around the tree.

Pass the tail end over the rope and then use the tail end to loop around your tree. Bring the tail end back to the small loop you have created in the rope and pass it through. 

Now, pass the tail end around the rope of the hammock, pass it back through the original loop, and pull to tighten the knot. 

This will create a firm knot tied around the tree and secure your hammock! 

The Taut Line Hitch

This type of knot is a bit tricker but works created when tying hammocks to trees as the knot can be adjusted before it is tightened, allowing you to slide the knot closer or further away from the tree for better security.

However, it’s recommended to only use this knot for one end of your hammock – use a bowline or half hitch for the other end. 

To start tying a taut line hitch, you will need to wrap your rope around your tree (two or three times should do the trick) and make sure you leave plenty of rope to work with.

Then, take the tail end and loop it around your hammock rope.

Taking the tail end of the rope, pass it through the larger loop tied around the tree. Bring it back up to loop over the hammock rope on the side of the knot that is closer to your and further away from the tree.

Pull the tail end to tighten the knot and slide it up and down the rope to adjust your hammock. 

The Falconer’s Knot

Finally, we have the falconer’s knot. This is another super popular knot used to tie hammocks to trees. 

To start, wrap your rope around your tree counterclockwise and then move your right hand (the hand holding the main hammock rope) under both pieces of rope.

Make a ‘thumbs up’ sign and pull the rope back, making a loop while pulling on the tail end. Rotate your hand so the rope loops around the rope, then use your index finger to push the rope through the loop. 

Pull on the rope to tighten the knot and it will tighten up against the tree. Pass the tail end of the rope through the final loop to secure it and that’s it! 

Conclusion

Now that both ends of your hammock are tied and secured, your hammock is ready to go! So, just pick out which knots work best for you and enjoy your hammock!