8 Best Places to Slackline (You Need To Try)

Many people starting slacklining wherever they can set a slackline up between two trees. Makes sense.

But what if you’re a bit beyond that and want to venture out and consider a few other options?

Here are the 8 best places to slackline that you need to try that are a bit off the beaten track…

Slacklining in a national park

While some national parks may not permit slacklining, others do allow it with rules and regulations that must be followed. A national park is a great place to consider given that there is typically enough space and trees to use and you’ll probably be able to meet other slackliners in the process.

Suggestion: Yosemite Valley in California is widely regarded as being the place where slacklining was popularized. There are plenty of places to choose from and Camp 4 is particularly popular so the chances are you’ll run into others with the same plan in mind. Pay particular attention to your use of tree protection which is required and be aware of closures related to peregrine falcon protection.

Search the database of national parks in the US by clicking here.

Slacklining over water

One way to make slacklining a bit more interesting and fun is doing it over water. The fun part is the thought that instead of falling on the ground, you’ll fall into the water instead and get wet.

Mind you if you’re slacklining completely over water you might need to get wet to get on the slackline to begin with. If not, the challenge is to remain dry until you’ve completed traversing the line.

Over a lake or a river, in the sea or even a swimming pool. Your choices for waterlining are numerous.

Suggestion: Think of local bodies of water you are near that could be utilized. If nothing comes to mind, check out one of the best slackline maps or slackline location apps to locate potential sites around the world.

Slacklining on the beach

While you can often find trees, docks, poles or other methods to set up your slackline while at the beach, you can also use no-tree slackline kits and other ways to set your line up.

Some venues offer beach slackline classes where you just show up and the slackline and training is provided. Saves you supplying and setting up your own slackline and you might get some helpful advice at the same time.

Suggestion: You might find a local beach that either has slackline capabilities (trees or docks to attach to) or actually has slacklines permanently set up. You can also consider buying a no-tree slackline kit with a sand anchor to set yourself up for beach (or snow) slacklining.

Slacklining indoors

Rock climbing facilities often include a slackline inside. Other indoor slackline venues exist that specifically cater to slackliners. And of course you can set up a home indoor slackline with a kit if you’d prefer to do it at home.

Slacklining indoors is not weather dependent. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or otherwise harsh outdoors, you won’t need to worry about it. Wind can wreak havoc on a new slackliner as you’re trying to get comfortable as you climb on the line. Plus if you’re slacklining indoors at a facility there’s a better than average chance you’ll have access to training or instruction from a pro and will be using a quality set up and equipment.

Suggestion: Find a local indoor rock climbing center with slacklining capabilities which is handy if you also happen to be a rock climber and even better if you live in a winter environment and want to slackline in winter but not in the snow.

Slacklining on an island

Slacklining on a island combines several of the options listed on this page including – at least potentially – such as slacklining over water and perhaps on a beach. You can visit an island while on vacation and search a resource like SlackMap to view various slackline locations that already exist.

Another option for slacklining on an island involves more than one island! Slacklining between two islands if you have the option and have a slackline long enough is something to consider.

Suggestion: Some of the well known touristic islands such as St Thomas, Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico among others have slacklines set up that have been identified by SlackMap users that you may consider while on vacation.

Slacklining in the forest

Slacklining in a forest is probably one of the more straight forward options. You have plenty of trees to choose from. There are typically many specific spots to pick to set up your slackline, too. And you’re amongst nature.

Endless challenges exist when you consider the different size of trees, distances between them and other factors such as the fact that you’ll probably be in a quiet spot to yourselves without a lot of foot traffic to distract you.

Suggestion: Learning a bit about various trees that exist in forests isn’t a bad idea. The stronger the tree and the harder the wood, the less likely you are to break a tree and hurt yourself.

Check out my article on How To Protect Trees When Slacklining (Tree Protectors) to learn more. It also discusses the Janka wood hardness rating system which helps you understand how some tree types are stronger and thus potentially more suitable for slacklining than others.

Slacklining while camping

If you’re going camping, you’ll probably have some free time, access to trees and potentially a beach, water or other location to utilize for slacklining.

Perhaps one of the underappreciated benefits and aspects of slacklining are the sensory benefits especially if you slackline barefoot. Feeling your skin directly against the slackline in the clean outdoors is hard to beat.

Slacklining while camping is a great choice because it’s about as close to nature as you can get and a great way to pass the time if you’re off the grid and aren’t paying attention to your cellphone or laptop.

Suggestion: The aforementioned Yosemite National Park is one possible location. Joshua Tree National Park in California, Aweoweo Beach Park in Hawaii, Arches National Park in Moab, Utah are a few more.

Find a campsite that might be suitable for camping and slacklining on Reserve America by clicking here.

Slacklining in the snow

I’ve written more specifically on slacklining in winter but it’s another great choice for a few reasons.

First, it enables you to continue slacklining throughout the year rather than losing skills and motivation during the winter and still do it outdoors.

Secondly, it helps to make the cold winter pass quicker if you take advantage of it.

Thirdly, imagine the challenge of slacklining in boots and a jacket if your winters get cold enough? A little more challenging than doing it in shorts and a t-shirt.

Suggestion: This is one type of slacklining plan that you can do in many of the places listed above (maybe not over water though….) or even in your backyard with a tree-free slacklining kit that that works in both the snow and beach.