Best tent stakes for rocky ground – Ultimate guide September 2026
Best Tent Stakes for Rocky Ground: The Ultimate Giant Guide for Campers Camping on rocky terrain can easily transform an enjoyable outdoor getaway into a challenging setup experience. Using the best tent stakes for rocky ground is essential when standard…
How many spare stakes should I bring on a backpacking trip?
There is a universal rite of passage in backpacking: you arrive at your campsite after a grueling, rewarding hike across the rugged terrain of California’s Sierra Nevada, the damp, root-tangled forests of Washington, the windswept coastal trails of New…
What to do when you cannot push your tent stake into the hard ground
There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at a campsite, exhausted from a long drive or hike, only to find that the ground is as impenetrable as concrete. You’ve found the perfect spot, you’ve unrolled your tent, and you’re ready to relax—but your…
Can I use a rock if I don’t want to carry a hammer?
In the world of outdoor gear, the mantra is often “less is more.” When you are trekking through the rugged landscapes of the Sierra Nevada in California, the dense forests of New York, or the wind-swept plains of Texas, every ounce in your…
Is it better to hammer straight down or at an angle?
You have arrived at your site, the sun is fading, and you are ready to secure your tent. You have your stakes, your hammer (or your trusty rock), and your guy-lines. But then you pause: Do I hammer this straight down, or should I angle it? At…
Can I use a rock to hammer in an emergency?
Yes, you can absolutely use a rock to hammer in tent stakes in an emergency or when you are backpacking [1.4.2]. In fact, for many seasoned campers, a “fist-sized rock” is the preferred, lightweight alternative to carrying a heavy mallet…
Is a heavy steel claw hammer ever okay for camping?
Every seasoned camper has, at least once, found themselves at a campsite with ground so hard it feels like solid concrete. You pull out your lightweight tent stakes, try to push them in with your heel, and nothing happens. You look in your trunk, see…
Are there specific stakes meant for hammering?
If you have ever struggled to set up a tent in the rock-hard soil of Texas or the granite-heavy ground of California, you know that not all tent stakes are created equal. You might be tempted to reach for your heavy-duty claw hammer and a standard…
How to keep tent stakes from rusting
How to keep tent stakes from rusting: The Metallurgy and Corrosion Prevention Guide. Chemical Oxidation Vectors, Material Science Inhibitors, and Field Maintenance for Outdoor Anchors For most campers, tent maintenance stops at drying out the rainfly and…