6 Best Hammocks For Forest Camping Rv That Maximize Outdoor Space

You’ve backed your RV into the perfect forest campsite, surrounded by towering pines, but your living space still ends at the edge of your awning. A hammock is more than just a place to nap; it’s a tool that fundamentally expands your rig’s footprint into the wild. Choosing the right one transforms unused patches of forest into a functional, comfortable outdoor room.

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Why Hammocks Expand Your RV’s Outdoor Living

An RV’s biggest asset is its mobility, but we often end up tethered to a small, flat patch of land right outside the door. Hammocks shatter that limitation. They allow you to inhabit the spaces between the trees, turning sloped, root-filled ground that’s useless for camp chairs into a prime relaxation spot.

This isn’t just about adding another seat. It’s about creating distinct zones. You can set up a hammock 30 feet from your rig to create a quiet reading nook, giving you or your partner much-needed personal space. For families, a couple of hammocks can become a designated kids’ zone, keeping them entertained and contained while you enjoy the campfire. It’s a low-impact way to double or triple your usable living area without laying down a single outdoor rug.

Ultimately, using a hammock is a mindset shift. Instead of viewing your campsite as the RV plus a small patio, you start seeing the entire site as your domain. You’re no longer just camping next to the forest; you’re living in it. This simple piece of gear is one of the most effective ways to truly embrace the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that RVing promises.

ENO DoubleNest: The Classic, Versatile Choice

The ENO DoubleNest is the benchmark for a reason. It’s lightweight, incredibly simple to set up, and stuffs into an attached compression sack the size of a grapefruit. For RVers, where every cubic inch of storage matters, this is a massive advantage. It’s the perfect hammock to keep stashed in a bay for spontaneous hangs or to offer a guest.

Think of the DoubleNest as your multi-tool. It’s wide enough for two people to sit in sideways like a couch or for one person to lounge diagonally with plenty of room. Paired with ENO’s Atlas straps, you can go from packed to relaxing in under three minutes. This speed and simplicity make it the best choice for casual, everyday use around the campsite.

The main tradeoff is its à la carte nature. The hammock, suspension straps, bug net, and rainfly are all sold separately. While this lets you build a custom setup, the costs can add up. It’s a fantastic starting point, but if you know you need a full shelter system from day one, an integrated package might be more cost-effective.

Kammok Roo Double: Rugged Durability for All Seasons

If the ENO is the reliable daily driver, the Kammok Roo Double is the overbuilt, all-terrain version. It’s designed from the ground up for greater strength and weather resistance. The GravitasX™ fabric is noticeably tougher and sheds water more effectively, making it better suited for the damp mornings and unexpected drizzles common in forest camping.

This hammock is for the RVer who uses their gear hard. The higher weight rating and incredibly strong Python straps provide extra peace of mind, especially for full-timers who might use their hammock daily. The gear loops and thoughtful construction details show that it’s built for function, not just for lounging on a sunny afternoon. It’s an investment in reliability.

That durability comes at a slight cost in weight and packed size compared to the ENO, but the difference is negligible for RV storage. The real decision comes down to your use case. If your hammock is a core part of your outdoor life and will see frequent use in varied conditions, the extra ruggedness of the Kammok is a smart upgrade.

Hennessy Hammock: The All-In-One Shelter System

The Hennessy Hammock isn’t just a hammock; it’s a complete, integrated shelter. It comes with a built-in structural ridgeline, an attached asymmetrical bug net, and a perfectly matched rainfly. This design ensures a perfect, repeatable hang every single time, taking the guesswork out of getting comfortable.

For an RVer, a Hennessy serves as an instant, self-contained guest room. When friends visit, you can offer them a fully protected, comfortable sleeping space outside the rig. Its patented asymmetrical shape and bottom entry make it feel less like a cocoon and more like a floating bed, which is a game-changer for anyone who has struggled to get comfortable in a traditional hammock.

The system’s integration is both its greatest strength and its primary weakness. It’s less versatile for casual, open-air lounging since the bug net is always attached. There’s also a steeper learning curve to mastering the setup and getting the perfect lay. But for someone who wants a dedicated, high-performance outdoor sleeping pod, the Hennessy is in a class of its own.

Warbonnet Blackbird XLC: Ultimate Lay-Flat Comfort

For anyone who has tried to sleep in a hammock and woken up with a sore back or hyperextended knees, the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC is the solution. This is a hammock engineered specifically for sleeping. Its genius lies in a dedicated footbox and an integrated storage shelf, features that work together to create an exceptionally flat and stable diagonal lay.

This design directly addresses the most common complaints about hammock sleeping. The footbox gives your feet room to relax naturally, while the shelf provides a convenient spot for a water bottle, headlamp, or phone. The result is a sleep experience that rivals a traditional mattress, making it a viable option for replacing a guest bed inside your RV or for your own nights under the stars.

The Blackbird XLC is a premium product from a respected cottage-industry manufacturer. This means it carries a higher price tag and isn’t something you can just pick up at a big-box store. However, if your primary goal is achieving the most comfortable night’s sleep possible outside your rig, the ergonomic design of the Warbonnet is unmatched. It’s the difference between napping and truly resting.

Tentsile Connect 2: A Suspended Social Platform

Tentsile throws the traditional hammock concept out the window. Instead of a single-point cocoon, it uses a three-point anchor system to create a taut, stable, and flat suspended surface. It’s less of a personal hammock and more of a shared "tree tent" or floating lounge.

For RV life, the Tentsile Connect 2 creates a unique social hub. Two people can sit or lie flat without rolling into each other, making it perfect for couples watching a sunset or for kids to use as a contained, off-the-ground play area. You can even connect multiple Tentsile units to create a massive, multi-level suspended community space if you’re camping with a group. It’s a conversation starter and a destination at any campsite.

The major consideration is setup. You need three healthy, well-spaced trees, which can be a challenge to find at some campsites. It’s also significantly heavier and bulkier than any other hammock on this list, and the setup process is more involved. It’s not for a quick hang, but for creating a semi-permanent outdoor living room, nothing else comes close.

Lawson Blue Ridge: Hybrid Hammock-Tent Versatility

The Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock defies easy categorization. It’s a true hybrid, designed to function equally well as a suspended hammock or a ground tent. It achieves this with an integrated bug net and rainfly, plus a unique arch pole and spreader bar system that keeps the interior fabric taut and open.

This versatility is its superpower for RVers. At a well-forested campsite, you can hang it like a traditional hammock and enjoy a flat, bed-like experience thanks to the spreader bars. But if you decide to go on an overnight backpacking trip away from the RV into an area with no trees—like a desert or a coastal beach—you can stake it to the ground and have a fully functional bivy tent.

This two-in-one capability means you only need to store one piece of gear for multiple scenarios. The tradeoff is that it’s heavier and bulkier than a dedicated hammock and less spacious than a dedicated tent. But for the RVer who values adaptability and wants a reliable shelter for any environment they might encounter, the Lawson Blue Ridge is an incredibly clever and practical solution.

RV Hammock Setup: Safety and Best Practices

Your first priority should always be protecting the environment you’re there to enjoy. Always use wide, tree-friendly straps—at least one inch in width. Never hang a hammock with thin rope or cord, as this can cut into the bark and permanently damage or even kill the tree.

Choosing the right spot is critical. Look for two healthy, living trees that are at least 6 inches in diameter. Before you set up, look up. Scan for dead branches or "widow-makers" that could fall. Also, be mindful of campground rules; some state and national parks have specific regulations about hanging hammocks to protect sensitive ecosystems or heavily-used areas.

For a comfortable and safe hang, aim for a 30-degree angle in your suspension lines. A good rule of thumb is to set the hammock height so that the bottom is about chair-height (18 inches) off the ground when you sit in it. This makes getting in and out easy and minimizes the distance if you were to fall. Always sit and gently bounce in the hammock to test its security before you commit your full weight.

Choosing the right hammock is about defining its purpose—is it for a quick nap, a guest bed, or a social lounge? By matching the hammock to the job, you don’t just add a piece of gear; you add an entirely new room to your RV life. So get out there, find your trees, and expand your living space.