Quick Recommendations
- Best Overall: Zupapa Hammock Stand
- Runner Up: Lazy Daze Double Hammock and Stand
- Best on a Budget: Best Choice Products Hammock Stand
- Best for Backpacking: ENO Nomad Stand
- Best for Car Camping: Grand Trunk Hangout Hammock Stand
- Best for Multiple Hammocks: ENOpod 3-person Hammock Stand
Spending the afternoon or even an Autumn weekend outdoors relaxing in a hammock is one of the best ways to fully enjoy a camping experience.
If you've ever camped in the desert, beach, or the prairie, then you'll know that finding trees that work for hanging a hammock isn't always a feasible option.
So, what is there to do if you want to enjoy a hammock while camping?
Luckily, there are travel hammock stands designed for the optimal camping experience.
In this article, we will break down the five best portable hammock stands for camping and then give you some advice on what to look for.
If you are also looking for a hammock, check out our Best Hammocks Buying Guide.
Best Overall Portable Hammock Stand
The Zupapa Hammock Stand wins the best overall hammock stand for camping due to its versatility of design.
It is easy to set up, affordable, durable, and easy to transport. Now, it is still over fifty pounds, so it only really works well for car camping, not backpacking.
The design itself is straightforward and a great addition to any camping trip. The steel frame makes it a hammock stand that you can use for years to come and even leave up set up in your backyard during lovely summer days.
It uses a spring lock system to support the hammock, which is a robust design. However, it can be challenging to use if you don't have enough finger strength.
It doesn't come with a hammock, so you will have to buy one.
If you already have a hammock, just be sure that it fits this stand. The standard size that fits this stand is any hammock from 12-15 feet.
Also check out: Lazy Daze Double Hammock and Stand is a comparable alternative that includes a hammock and is slightly more affordable. However, it doesn't have as high of weight capacity and isn't as durable.
Key Features:
- Weight: 56 lbs
- Capacity: 550 lbs
- Frame Material: Steel
- Carrying Case: Yes
- Setup: Easy
What we like:
- Features a cup holder
- Can support the weight of up to two adults (4-5 children)
- The frame is strong, durable, and very secure
What we don't like:
- The spring locking system can be challenging to use at times.
Best Portable Hammock Stand on a Budget
If you are looking for a lightweight hammock stand to bring camping, but you're on a budget, then the Best Choice Products hammock stand may be a good option.
Best Choice Products are Walmart brand, so you can find them in-store and online. They tend to be a good option for families or individuals with a limited budget but still want to enjoy the outdoors.
With the price in mind, be aware that it will not be the highest quality option, but it will get the job done.
It is lightweight, easy to set up. It includes a carrying case, but the weight capacity is questionable.
The steel frame will hold up well outdoors. But the amount of weight the frame can support without moving or even buckling is slightly lower than the suggested weight capacity listed.
That said, it should be used for only one person to ensure stability.
Also check out: ValleyRay Hammock Stand is another affordable option for a hammock stand at about the same price and same weight.
Key Features:
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Capacity: 450 lbs
- Frame Materials: Steel
- Carrying Case: Yes
- Setup: Easy
What we like:
- Very affordable price
- Has a weather-resistant coating making it suitable for extended outdoor use
- Fits various sized hammocks
What we don't like:
- Not made with the most durable materials
Best Portable Hammock Stand for Backpacking
While it isn't always practical to bring a hammock stand backpacking, ENO designed a light and compact stand to make it reasonable to take on short trekking excursions.
Depending on if you use the stand or use the Nomad Shelter, you could potentially use this hammock stand set up to replace your backpacking tent. Thus making it more realistic to take backpacking.
The stand will only work with ENO brand hammocks, but they are high quality and durable to use on extended camping trips.
Plus, they're easy to clean and maintain.
The major downside to this stand is that since it is lightweight and made from aluminum alloy materials, it doesn't have a very high weight capacity (manufacturer recommends 300lbs).
You shouldn't load the stand at the full capacity for most hammock stands, but at least 50 lbs lower.
Overall, this is an excellent hammock stand option if you are a frequent weekend backpacker and want to enjoy the freedom of hammocking.
Also check out: Tensa Outdoor Hammock Stand is a more compact option for extended backpacking trips at a comparable price, but it is more complicated to set up.
Key Features:
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Capacity: 300 lbs
- Frame Materials: Aluminum alloy
- Carrying Case: Yes
- Ease of Setup: Moderate
What we like:
- Takes 10 minutes or less to set up or takedown
- Light enough to take on short backpacking treks
- Can replace a tent when backpacking if using the hammock pack (ENO Nomad Shelter)
What we don't like:
- Only accommodates one ENO hammock
- Weight capacity is low
Best Portable Hammock Stand for Car Camping
Although it is a bit too heavy to bring backpacking, at just over thirty pounds, the Grand Trunk Hammock Stand is ideal for car camping excursions or even a day at the beach.
It is easy to set up and can work with virtually any hammock you have on hand.
It is a mid-range hammock stand in terms of price so that you won't be breaking the bank, but you aren't skimping out on quality either.
The steel frame tubing makes for quick setup without compromising on the strength or integrity of the stand itself.
The only downside to this hammock stand is that it is somewhat awkward to pack back into the carrying case. It isn't terrible to tote around, but the frame tubing's shape can make it awkward.
Also check out: If you are car camping, the ENO Roadie is an excellent alternative choice since it secures under the wheels of your car and is easy to transport. It is a bit more expensive and limits the location of where you can use your hammock.
Key Features:
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Capacity: 400 lbs
- Frame Materials: Gorilla-grade steel tubing
- Carrying Case: Yes
- Ease of Setup: Easy
What we like:
- Simple 4-step setup
- Works with a variety of hammock brands and sizes
- Durable and secure frame
What we don't like:
- Awkward to fit back into the carrying case
- Carrying case is somewhat cumbersome
Best Portable Stand for Multiple Hammocks
This is another hammock stand that only really works for a car camping or RV experience.
The frame as a whole weighs 101 lbs, making it quite the stand to lug around. However, it is well worth it when you have a group of friends or family out for an extended camping trip.
It is easy enough to set up and take down that it is feasible to bring to the beach or a festival.
The design allows for proper weight distribution, and each hammock location has a weight capacity of 400lbs.
The powder-coated steel frame keeps the frame weather-resistant enough to leave it set up in your backyard in the summer months or during a weeklong camping trip.
Key Features:
- Weight: 101 lbs
- Capacity: 400 lbs per hammock
- Frame Materials: Powder-coated steel
- Carrying Case: Yes
- Ease of Setup: Moderate
What we like:
- Adds an element of socialization to the hammocking experience
- No tools needed for a setup
- High weight capacity
What we don't like:
- Heavy to transport
- Only works with ENO brand hammocks
Portable Hammock Stands Buying Guide
Before you buy a hammock stand for camping, it is important to know how often you intend to use it, how you want to use it, and your general budget.
When it comes to outdoor gear, the price will generally reflect the overall longevity of a product. While that is not always the case, it tends to be true amongst hammock stands.
If you camp every weekend during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, then investing in a hammock stand that is a slightly higher price is a good idea.
However, if you have a tight budget but only go once or twice a year and don't intend on using the hammock stand much, then a cheaper stand will suffice.
Beyond price and how often you use the hammock stand, there are few other considerations you need to make before purchasing a hammock stand for camping.
Portability
If you are going to use your hammock stand primarily for camping and not just backyard use, it should be portable. Now, most hammock stands will weigh over 50lbs, but some of them that made our list will be 30lbs or less.
These lightweight hammock stand options are often more portable, but they do not have as high of a weight capacity. So, there is a trade-off there.
Beyond weight, it is important to look at the carrying case itself and how easy it is to carry around and pack the hammock stand back into.
Not all carrying cases will be very durable or even easy to lug around. So, if you can, look at the hammock stand in person along with the carrying case to judge portability properly.
Assembly
Just as we look at the ease of assembly with tents when we are camping, we should do the same with our hammock stands. Most hammock stands will be relatively straightforward to set up, but not all of them are the same.
Assembly wise, look at the locking mechanism and how easy it is for you to lock and unlock. Then, beyond that, you can start to look at how each piece fits together. Next comes hanging the hammock.
Is the hammock easy to secure in the correct position, or does it take some finagling to get the angels, right?
It may take a few times to get used to a new hammock stand, but before you buy, seek a straightforward and descriptive example of how to set up the stand.
Accessories
There are not many accessories that go with a hammock stand beyond the hammock itself. Some hammock stands come with a hammock, but not all do.
If you already have a hammock and are just investing in the stand, you also need to make sure that they are compatible. For example, the ENO brand stands only are compatible with ENO brand hammocks.
If there isn't a brand specification on the hammock stand, it will specify a size range for the compatible hammocks.
The other accessory is that it is common with hammock stands is the carrying case, which was described in the last section.
Then, you may have stands that include a cup holder, mosquito nets, or a rain tarp. These are more luxury items that can prove to be quality investments while camping.
Number of hammocks
There are not many portable hammock stands on the market that is equipped for multiple hammocks. We listed the ENO three-person stand on our list, but beyond that, you will be hard-pressed to find another one as equally portable that can hold multiple hammocks.
Weight capacity
One of the most important things to look at when looking at the specs of a portable hammock stand is the weight capacity. The weight capacity is the amount of weight that it can safely hold. Overall, most portable hammock stands can hold around 400 lbs, but the more mobile they are, the lower the weight capacity.
A safe assumption to make is that the weight capacity of a hammock stand is about 50lbs lower than the manufacturer's recommendation. There are many factors involved in how much weight a hammock stand can support, so it is best to opt for a higher capacity rating than a lower one.
Portable Hammock Stand FAQs
What are the Benefits of Hammock Stands?
More versatility
One of the most apparent benefits of using a hammock stand over a traditional hammock set up with trees is that you now have near unlimited options of where to set up your hammock.
Not only that, but you don't have to waste time fiddling with angles and securing the hammock to the trees properly.
A hammock stand opens up the opportunity to hammock in areas with limited trees, but it also simplifies your hammocking experience in areas where trees are plentiful.
More environmentally friendly
Since you're not setting up trees, you're simplifying your camp setup process, but you are practicing better Leave No Trace while camping. Tying a rope or securing a hammock to a tree of any kind has the potential to damage that tree and, in most cases, will leave a distinct mark.
If you are camping in an area that is frequently used and set up your hammock using trees, you could leave marks on the tree that invite others to use that same tree. With continued use, that tree could become severely damaged.
Because of the popularity of hammock camping, many parks and wilderness areas have begun to restrict the use of hammocks. On the other hand, if you use a hammock stand, you can still enjoy the relaxation of a hammock while protecting the trees you love.
Works for non-traditional camping
Hammock stands should not be restricted to backyard use only! They can be a fun way to mix up your camping experience by replacing your standard tent to go hammock camping. This will take some extra gear to have a comfortable hammock camping experience, but it is possible.
Hammock stands can also be used for other events like days at the beach, picnics, concerts, and festivals.
Final Takeaways
Spending the afternoon outdoors relaxing in a hammock is one of the best ways to fully enjoy a camping experience.
However, finding trees that work for hanging a hammock isn't always a feasible option. Luckily, there are travel hammock stands designed for the optimal camping experience.
After reading our reviews and buying guide you should now have no problem finding the best portable hammock stand for you.
Happy Camping!
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