Hammock camping tips for comfort, freedom, and easy meals

Hammock camping offers a fresh alternative to traditional tent setups. By sleeping suspended between trees, campers enjoy lightweight packing, faster setup, and a closer connection to nature. This article outlines the essentials of hammock camping, the gear you need, practical tips, and how REAL Meals make outdoor cooking effortless in even the most remote locations.

What is hammock camping?

Hammock camping replaces ground shelters with a fabric hammock designed for sleeping. It includes tree straps, a bug net, and a rain tarp to keep campers dry, secure, and comfortable above uneven or damp terrain. It’s especially popular in forested areas, where trees are plentiful and flat, open ground is harder to find.

Key advantages of hammock camping

Lightweight and space-saving

Camping hammocks are extremely compact and weigh far less than tents, making them ideal for backpacking, bikepacking, and minimal setups.

Quick setup

There’s no need for a flat clearing, just find two trees about 4–6 meters apart, and your shelter is ready in minutes.

Elevated sleeping comfort

Pun intended. When set up correctly, a hammock provides a supportive and comfortable sleeping position, especially with diagonal lay.

Great for variable terrain

Avoid rocks, mud, roots, or snow, just hang your shelter above it all.

Essential hammock camping equipment

Looking for food to take camping? Try REAL Meals

Food for camping can be tricky to get right. Especially when every gram and minute counts. Hammock camping offers freedom, simplicity, and a close connection to nature. With smart packing and efficient gear like REAL Meals, it’s easier to focus on the experience and spend less time dealing with food prep or cleanup. From Nordic forests to coastal pines, every night in a hammock becomes a comfortable and memorable part of the adventure.

Top destinations for hammock camping in Scandinavia and Europe

Norway

• Nordmarka and Østmarka (near Oslo): Forest zones with ideal hammock spacing
• Hardangervidda Plateau edges: Tree-covered lowland areas near highlands
• Sogn og Fjordane: Stunning coastal forests above the fjords

Sweden

• Tyresta National Park: Pristine forest camping close to Stockholm
• Skuleskogen National Park: Great tree cover with access to dramatic coastline

Across Europe

• Germany’s Black Forest: Ideal for multiday hammock trips
• Slovenia’s Julian Alps (lower forests): Pair scenic hikes with unique hangs
• Portugal’s Atlantic pine forests: Breezy and peaceful with ocean views nearby

Hammock camping tips for success

• Practice hanging your setup at home to find your ideal suspension angle (around 30°)
• Use tree-safe straps to avoid damaging the bark
• Always hang above soft ground for safety
• Add drip lines to suspension to stop rain from reaching inside
• Store your REAL Meal and water within reach before bed

Final thoughts

Hammock camping delivers freedom, simplicity, and deep immersion in nature. By packing smart and using efficient gear like REAL Meals, outdoor explorers gain more time to enjoy the trail and less time worrying about food, setup, or cleanup. From Nordic forests to coastal pines, every night spent suspended in comfort becomes a memorable part of the journey.