Have you ever been out camping in the woods when you realized you left your tent stakes at home?
Are you weighed down by the metal tent stakes and would rather figure something out when you start pitching your tent in the woods?
Do you just want to try being more authentic to the outdoor experience?
There is something primal and satisfying about making your own tent stake from the natural elements. Whether you planned it that way or not, it’s good to know how to make a wooden tent stake just in case.
Read on for step by step instructions and become a better outdoorsman.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Serrated Knife – A knife is pretty much an absolute necessity for anyone who’s out camping. I like this one by Gerber for several reasons:
- Serrated edge saw through wood
- Stainless steel bottom doubles as a makeshift hammer
- Comes with a fire starter
- A whistle is included on the lanyard
For our purpose, any sharp knife will do, but I recommend the serrated edge. It’s very helpful when it comes to carving wood.
Line/Cord – Your tent probably comes with guylines or loops to help attach the tent to your stake. In case it doesn’t, the cord at the link is an affordable yet light and durable cord you can use to secure your tent.
You may want this anyway. Wooden stakes aren’t as effective as metal tent stakes at holding down your shelter. The cords can help attach extra stakes to further secure the tent.
If you use a tarp or canvas to pitch your own tent, then a solid cord is a must.
Wood/Branches – Picking the right wood is important when it comes to making your own tent stake. Look for some wood that’s not rotted and between 1-2 inches in diameter.
A general rule is look for one at least as thick as your thumb but no more than the circle you make when forming the “OK” symbol with your thumb and index finger.
Look for some wood that doesn’t create a hollow sound when you tap it. This is an indication of rotting on the inside.
Depending on your size of tent, I’d aim for at least six of these around your tent.
And that’s it! With these items ready you can start with the instructions below.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Read below and watch the video to feel confident in making your own wooden tent stakes.
1) GATHER THE MATERIALS
After buying or getting the materials listed above, claim your spot to set up the tent. Make sure the space is flat, free of sharp objects, and has firm ground soil.
Be sure to get at least four pieces of wood at the thickness described above. I recommend six, but four should do the job unless bad weather is on the horizon.
2) BREAK/CUT TO LENGTH
Ideally, you’re looking for around 1 foot in length for each stake. This gives enough length to hold firmly in the ground while not being so long that it’s hard to drive in.
If your branch is long enough, you can break it to close to the right length by propping the wood against the side of a tree and stepping on it forcefully at 1 foot off the end.
For shorter branches, you may need to get out your knife and begin sawing.
3) CARVE THE NOTCH
Measure down about 1.5-inches from one end of the branch. It’s here that you need to carve a notch in the wood where your cord is going to secure.
To carve the notch, I recommend you first score the wood with the non-serrated part of your knife. This helps to keep your cutting accurate and saves on energy.
Next, use the serrated part to saw out a notch where the point goes down halfway through the branch.
The side of the notch closest to the end should be perpendicular to the long part of the stake. The other side of the notch should curve up to the other side.
If you don’t have a serrated knife, you can still cut the wood by rolling the knife along the scores you made and shaving off bits of wood as you go.
4) SHARPEN THE POINT
With a notch in place, go the opposite end of the stake from where the notch is. Using your knife, shave off the end of the wood until its reached a point.
This point doesn’t have to be sharp, but a clearly defined point is helpful when driving the stake into the ground. The point should start about 1-1.5 inches above the end.
5) DRIVE THE STAKE
Finally, it’s time to put the stake into the ground. Using a rubber mallet (if you brought one), the end of your knife, or a rock, tap the stake into the ground. Take your cord and tie it around the notch.
Pro-tip: The notch of the stake should be facing away from your tent. This helps secure the cord more.
Related Reading: How to Use a Tent Stake, the Right Way
Congratulations! You’ve now made and used your own wooden tent stake! Repeat these steps until all your stakes are in and your tent is up.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which wood works best? – Depending on where you’re camping, different kinds of wood are available. The most common strong types of wood you may come across are beech, ash, and oak.
Related Reading: Tree Identifying Guide
Should I angle the tent stakes? – NO! I used to believe this in the past too. Driving tent stakes straight up and down actually gives the best support.
CONCLUSION
We hope you enjoyed reading on how to make a wooden tent stake.
This is an impressive camping skill your friends are sure to be jealous of. When in doubt, you can always come back and review these steps.
Now get out there and enjoy the fresh air!
If you like reading this article, you may also like reading about what tents are made of.