Hangin’ in Hammocks: A Michigan Guide

Dr. Angela Seabright
Dana Blankenship

| 3 min read

Hammocks in Michigan
The new millennial trend, hanging a hammock between two trees, is changing the way Michiganders relax, camp and sleep. Have you tried one yet?
Now-a-days it’s hard to walk through a college campus or public park without seeing one or two of these swinging seats hanging from the trees. The hammocks, which are comprised only of a thin nylon sheet and two paracords that stretch around the trees, are an easy and cheap way for everyone to “hang” outside.
Using time outside to read, do puzzles, chat with friends or even take a nap on your hammock are all simple ways to get outside and connect with nature. You can take your hammock anywhere that has trees: backpacking, a park, nature centers or your own backyard. Relaxing outside can also decrease stress and reduce anxiety, one of the reasons why hammocking has become so popular.
Sleeping in hammocks is so beneficial for your health, that some people have ditched their camping tent altogether. In comparison, tents often take a longer period of time to set up and can be a hassle to carry, where hammocks offer you flexibility and convenience. On average, it only takes about 8-10 minutes to tie up. Hammocks are even showing up at music festivals and weekend camping sites as an easy alternative.
Hammocks can be the perfect place to read, relax while camping.
Hammocks can be the perfect place to read and relax when camping.
The natural slope of the hammock has helped people sleep better but also helps individuals fall asleep faster and for longer amounts of time. Dr. Steven Park, a head and neck surgeon and member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, says ideal sleeping position is lying on one’s back, with the head slightly elevated about 10 to 30 percent, which is the natural position of a hammock. This sleeping style also optimizes blood flow to the brain and provides an unobstructed breathing pathway to your lungs.
Check out some of these Michigan parks that have scenic views as well as plenty of trees for you and your hammock:
  1. Adams Street Landing, Holland
  1. Bald Mountain Recreation Area, Lake Orion
  1. Bond Falls Scenic Site, Paulding
  1. Clark Lake, Watersmeet
  1. De Tour Peninsula Nature Preserve, De Tour Village
  1. Gilmore Park, Wiedman
  1. Huron-Manistee National Forests, Cadillac
  1. Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Kalamazoo
  1. Luton Park, Rockford
  1. Maybury State Park, Northville
  1. Rainey Wildlife Area, Manistique
  1. Riverside Park, Ypsilanti
  1. Sharp Park, Lansing
  1. Sleepy Hollow State Park, Laingsburg
  1. Zemmer Park, Columbiaville
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out these as well!
What cool places in Michigan have you hung your hammock? Comment below.
Photo Credit: Andrew Malone (feature), Dana Blankenship, A Healthier Michigan (inset)

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.