OK. I give up. What are these hooks for?

Those are most certainly for lanterns. Today, with most people using LED lanterns, it is not quite so important. But in the past (and still in limited use today) when people use Coleman (gas) lanterns, they often would put a nail in an adjacent tree and hang the lantern there. It was not the nail that is of concern, but the high heat from the lantern kills the cambium (xylum and phloem - the circulatory system of the tree) in that spot.

If you look around the trees that closely border most campsites, you will see big, ugly scars on many of them. That comes from people having hung their gas lanterns on those trees. These dead spots (literally open sores in the bark of the tree) can weaken and even kill the tree. I know this as a result of being both a forester and having managed public land campgrounds for many years.

The metal pole hooks give people a place to hang their lanterns where they won't do any damage. Of course, you can hang other things from there too. But please...not windchimes.

ANYTHING BUT WINDCHIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I've hung a lantern, also one end of a clothesline.

How about hanging your generator from it???

bear bait.

gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications


Lantern Hangers

Some campers appreciate lantern hangers--they are convenient and protect trees from damage. The recommended distance from the ground to the lantern hanger is about 80 inches (2,032 millimeters). Because an 80-inch hanger, such as the one shown in figure 9-23, is not accessible, a second hook can be mounted where people in wheelchairs can use it.



Figure 9-23--For lantern hangers to be accessible, they should
not be more than 48 inches from the ground. This style of lantern
hanger could be adapted by adding a second, lower hook.





I was going to guess it was a hook to hang a outdoor speaker from when having a large party at your campsite:h

looks like they are about the right height for the light to shine right in the neighbors windows.

They are there to hang a lantern on...

donkeydew wrote:
looks like they are about the right height for the light to shine right in the neighbors windows.

If your windows are that high you probably have curtains.

Lantern not spotlight, not near next camper when we were ther.
Frank.

Stripper pole?