Best camping hammocks for swimming trips

Pack-light lounging between two trees by the water

A packable hammock turns the wait between swims into the best nap of your life. Strung between two trees on the bank, it weighs almost nothing in your pack and sets up in a minute. We compared the most popular parachute-nylon hammocks for swimming holes and riverside lounging.

Camping Hammocks comparison chart

Product PriceCapacityPacked weightStraps includedBest for Buy
Best overall SingleNest Hammock ENO $60 approx.300 lbs16 ozNo (sold separately)All-around use View on
Best value DoubleOwl Hammock Wise Owl Outfitters $30 approx.500 lbs26 ozYesBudget setups View on
Roo Double Hammock Kammok $99 approx.500 lbs23 ozNoPremium feel View on
Double Parachute Hammock Bear Butt $35 approx.500 lbs26 ozYesValue seekers View on
Double Hammock with Straps Grand Trunk $50 approx.400 lbs20 ozYesAll-around View on

Product details

Best overall

ENO SingleNest Hammock

ENO SingleNest Hammock
View on

ENO basically created the modern packable-hammock category, and the SingleNest remains the benchmark: tough nylon, a perfect one-person size, and a stuff sack attached so you never lose it.

Features

  • Breathable, quick-drying 70D nylon taffeta
  • Holds up to 300 lbs — roomy and comfortable for one
  • Aluminum wiregate carabiners included
  • Integrated stuff sack doubles as a gear pocket

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Bombproof build and reputation Straps cost extra
Comfortable and packable Premium price
Tons of color options

Activities and environments best for

  • Riverside lounging
  • Car camping
  • Festival and backyard use

Overall

Add a set of Atlas straps and the SingleNest is the last hammock most solo loungers ever need to buy.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

5,394 global ratings

5 star 90%
4 star 6%
3 star 1%
2 star 1%
1 star 2%
Best value

Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Hammock

Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Hammock
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Wise Owl undercuts the big names by bundling tree straps and carabiners in the box, so the all-in price is less than half of a strap-less premium hammock.

Features

  • Triple-stitched 210T parachute nylon
  • Includes two tree straps and aluminum carabiners
  • Single and double sizes available
  • Compresses into an attached stuff sack

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Complete kit for one low price Nylon is slightly less refined than ENO
Straps included Straps have fewer attachment loops
Strong weight rating

Activities and environments best for

  • First-time buyers
  • Families buying several
  • Casual use

Overall

The best way to get hanging for the least money — everything you need is in the box.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

54,446 global ratings

5 star 85%
4 star 11%
3 star 3%
2 star 0%
1 star 1%

Kammok Roo Double Hammock

Kammok Roo Double Hammock
View on

Kammok’s Roo Double uses recycled, water-resistant fabric and a premium feel that justifies the price — a hammock for swimmers who want something nicer to string up between trees by the water.

Features

  • Recycled ripstop nylon with a water-resistant finish
  • Rated to 500 lbs
  • Included stuff sack with a gear pocket
  • Reflective guy lines for visibility

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Premium materials and build Straps sold separately
Eco-friendly recycled fabric Premium price
Comfortable lay

Activities and environments best for

  • Riverside lounging
  • Eco-conscious buyers
  • Comfort-first campers

Overall

Spend here if hammock time is a big part of your swimming-hole ritual.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

75 global ratings

5 star 79%
4 star 12%
3 star 2%
2 star 0%
1 star 7%

Bear Butt Double Parachute Hammock

Bear Butt Double Parachute Hammock
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Bear Butt’s double hammock includes tree straps and carabiners in the box at a price that beats most competitors — an easy way to start hanging out by the water.

Features

  • Triple-stitched parachute nylon
  • Straps and carabiners included
  • 500 lb weight capacity
  • Attached stuff sack

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Complete kit in the box Heavier than premium brands
Strong weight rating Basic strap design
Affordable

Activities and environments best for

  • First-time hammock buyers
  • Budget trips
  • Casual riverside naps

Overall

Everything you need to hang for less than the price of straps alone elsewhere.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

7,577 global ratings

5 star 85%
4 star 11%
3 star 2%
2 star 1%
1 star 1%

Grand Trunk Double Hammock with Straps

Grand Trunk Double Hammock with Straps
View on

Grand Trunk’s TrunkTech double hammock balances weight, durability, and included straps — a solid all-rounder for hanging between trees at your favorite swimming hole.

Features

  • Ultralight yet durable nylon construction
  • Tree straps and carabiners included
  • 11 ft length fits most tree spans
  • Attached stuff sack

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Straps included Not as premium as ENO or Kammok
Light for the capacity Fewer color options
Reliable brand

Activities and environments best for

  • Day trips
  • Car camping
  • General lounging

Overall

A dependable middle-ground hammock with straps in the box.

Customer reviews

5.0 out of 5

4 global ratings

5 star 100%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Quick-Dry TowelsPack-small microfiber towels that dry in minutesCoolersCold drinks and snacks waiting when you climb outReef-Safe SunscreenProtect your skin without poisoning the water

Camping Hammocks FAQ

Do I need tree straps for a camping hammock?

Yes — wide tree straps spread the load and protect bark, and many parks require them instead of rope. Some hammocks include straps; for those that do not (like ENO), budget for a set separately.

Single or double hammock — which should I buy?

A double is only slightly heavier and far more comfortable even for one person, since you can lie diagonally for a flatter position. Most people on r/hammocks and camping forums recommend a double for lounging.

How far apart should trees be for a hammock?

Aim for trees 10 to 15 feet apart, each at least 6 inches in diameter. Hang the straps so the hammock sits at roughly a 30-degree angle for the most comfortable lay.

Can you leave a hammock up overnight at a swimming hole?

Only where camping is allowed and you have permission on private land. Even then, take it down in high wind or storms, and never hang from dead trees or small saplings — a common safety warning in hammock communities.

Is a hammock better than a camp chair by the water?

Hammocks pack lighter and hang anywhere you find two trees, which makes them ideal for swimming holes without picnic tables. Chairs are sturdier on open rock and sand but add bulk on the hike in.