Leave a Comment
Camper FAQs is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Every tent will come with the supplies needed to create a shelter from the elements, including the tent body material and tent poles.
But do tents come with stakes to securely fix them to the ground? And are those the best option?
Let’s take a quick look at whether tents come with stakes or not, how to tell before purchasing, plus we show you a better alternative to the cheap, flimsy stakes that typically come with a tent.
Do Tents Come With Stakes?
Yes, most tents come with tent stakes as standard equipment. If you purchased a tent that didn’t come with stakes, you could buy them separately. However, it’s rare for a tent to come without stakes.
Related: How to Secure a Tent Without Stakes (3 Best Ways)
But don’t take my word for it. Let’s see what a few of the most popular tent manufacturers have to say.
First up, Coleman, one of the most popular camping gear manufacturers on the planet.
Do Coleman tents come with stakes? I reached out to their support asking just this, and here’s their reply.
As you can see, yes, all Coleman tents come with stakes.
Next, let’s take a look at Ozark Trail, a Walmart brand. Since Walmart owns Ozark Trails, they don’t have a specific website (that I could find) for support questions. Instead, I had to call their product support hotline.
So, do Ozark trail tents come with stakes? The friendly operator assured me that yes, all Ozark trail tents come with stakes.
While that’s only two of the many major brands of camping tents available, rest assured, most tents do come with stakes.
If you’re still concerned whether a tent you plan to purchase comes with stakes or not, there are a few ways to tell.
How to Tell if a Tent Comes With Stakes
There are four main ways to tell if your tent comes with stakes or any other accessories (rain fly, groundsheet, etc.):
- Product Descriptions: Read through the product descriptions online for any mention of stakes. Typically, the description will have an “included” section that details exactly what comes in the box. Some websites are better at displaying this information than others, so it’s always a good idea to check multiple websites.
Tip: Check the price on each site to find the cheapest option while you’re at it! - Read the Packaging: If you’re like me and like to see the product in person, at a store, you can scan the packaging for any mention of tent pegs or stakes. Again, most products list what’s included on the side of the packaging.
Tip: Don’t rely on product images to accurately show what comes with the tent. Oftentimes, items in the picture are not included. - Tent Reviews: Read through the reviews of the tent for any mention of pegs or stakes. If the tent doesn’t come with stakes, there’s a high probability that somebody will complain about it in the reviews. This isn’t the most accurate way to tell if a tent comes with stakes, but it can help.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Arguably, the best way to tell if a tent comes with stakes is to simply reach out to the tent manufacturer and ask. Most manufacturers have a simple online form or chat option. If not, any reputable manufacturer will at least have a support hotline you can call.
Do You Need to Stake a Tent?
You don’t need to stake a tent in most situations, especially if you typically camp in mild weather conditions. But, wind gusts can be unpredictable, and without gear inside your tent to weigh it down, you risk your tent being damaged if it blows over.
Related: Best Tent Stakes for High Winds
So, for added peace of mind, I do recommend staking your tent whenever possible. It takes just a few minutes and could save your shelter from being damaged or blowing away. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere in bad weather with a damaged tent (or no tent at all).
Tent stakes can also help protect your tent from theft, which brings us to…
A Better Tent Stake Solution
Stakes that come with most tents are, first of all, not the best quality and, more importantly, not designed for all the different camping conditions you are likely to encounter.
So, what’s a better solution?
Upgrading your factory tent stakes with a more durable, easier-to-use alternative is a good solution. But, having multiple types of stakes on hand, stakes designed for specific conditions, is the best solution.
Related: 3 Best Tent Stakes (Top Stakes for Every Situation)
For example, Eurmax Galvanized Steel Tent Stakes are designed to penetrate hard soil and have a large head so you can use a mallet to drive them in. And they are corrosion resistant, so they will last for many years to come.
Eurmax Galvanized Steel Tent Stakes
Price:Clicking this link to make a purchase may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Ground anchor pegs screw into the ground, safely securing your tent when camping on the rain-soaked ground, soft soil, or sand.
Fstop Labs Outdoor Tent Stakes Ultimate Ground Anchor Pegs
Price:Clicking this link to make a purchase may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Sometimes you just need a simple, lightweight solution for those long hiking or backpacking trips, and that’s where Coleman lightweight, ABS plastic tent stakes really come in handy!
Coleman ABS 9-Inch Tent Pegs
Price:Clicking this link to make a purchase may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
And if you need to secure your tent to the ground to help prevent theft, you can use the P-locks Ground Anchor system to stake your tent to the ground.
P-Locks Theft Deterrent Anchoring System
Price:Clicking this link to make a purchase may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Check out our guide on how to use tent stakes to learn step-by-step the best way to stake a tent on the different types of ground.