When you go on an adventure in the desert, it is essential to pack equipment capable of meeting the challenge. And when camping after a long hike, proper tent pegs are the last thing most of us think about. If you’ve been there, you know the frustration of plain or plastic pegs that were included in the tent. Stakes that attach easily to your yard may bend, break, or fail to punch through rocky ground on the trail. The best tent pegs for rocky ground will be shaped well to cut through hard ground and will be strong enough to withstand the extra strain.
What makes a great tent pole for rocky ground?
Some tent pegs are not designed for the toughest soils and bend quickly, break, or are impossible to hammer. Trust us, the weight of your backpack won’t hold your tent together when you forgo smaller pegs. When looking for reliable tent pegs for your next trip, you should consider the following aspects.
- Resistant material: Wooden, plastic or aluminum stakes are suitable for soft ground. However, rocky and compacted ground requires tent pegs made from durable materials. High tensile steel is the best choice to avoid bending and breaking under prolonged pressure. However, titanium is also good if you need a lightweight backpack option.
- Shape of piercing: V-shaped wedge styles can work on rocky ground and are versatile enough to handle easier terrain. However, nail- or screw-shaped designs are best for drilling through difficult rocky terrain. Plus, nail pins are more durable and less likely to bend than all styles.
- Suitable length: Also, 8 to 12 inches in length will help your stakes grip rocky ground firmly. Shorter options will likely change with wind drift and loosen your tent security.
Best Tent Stakes for Rocky Ground
We test a variety of tent poles by analyzing their length, shape and durability. As we suspected, some weren’t suitable for hardened backpackers setting up camp on rocky trails. However, we have discovered some pretty impressive products which we detail in the following post. We found that these three issues deserved special mention.
- Our favorite for performance: Barefour Heavy Duty 8″ steel tent pegs
- SECOND BEST: RIY 12″ heavy duty steel tent poles.
- Best lightweight option: MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10″
We’ll dig into each in more detail below. See why they made the cut below.
Barefour 8″ Heavy Duty Steel Tent Stakes
If weight isn’t an issue, the material should be second to none. And, if you’re interested in finding a set of poles that will stand up to most challenges, then you need the Barefour Heavy Duty 8-inch Steel Tent Poles.
Campers will love that they’re forged from S45C steel, which is as good as it is unbreakable.
easy to remove
While using Barefour, we were impressed with how the innovative design makes removal virtually effortless. If you’ve ever tried to remove deeply embedded tent pins, you know how complicated and frustrating it can be.
However, Barefour piles have two design aspects to help you pull them out. First, there’s the hook near the top of the pin that keeps it from being hammered too deep into the ground. Second, the hole allows your hammer to quickly pull the pin out of the ground.
resistant material
Additionally, Barefour is made from high quality S45C steel, which is known to withstand much more pressure than other types of metal.
As a result, these stakes cut through rocky ground and well-compacted hard pots with much less effort. In addition, they are very resistant to bending and breaking. If you frequent a place known for its particularly solid ground, you will notice a significant difference with Barefour bets.
Barefour Heavy Duty Pegs PROS
- solid design
- won’t bend
- easy to remove
- Good 8″ length
Barefour Heavy Duty Stakes CONS
- May need something longer for very loose/rocky terrain
- Bag not included
Who are these heavy duty 8 inch steel tent pegs for?
Barefour tent pegs would be great for campers who walk up to a mile to set up camp, or those in car camps due to their extra weight. However, if you’re willing to put up with the weight, this set is worth it for a great grip. Find more information, including specifications and current pricing, here: Barefour Heavy Duty 8″ Steel Tent Pegs
RIY 12″ Heavy Duty Steel Tent Pegs
RIY heavy duty steel tent pegs have an excellent length to handle rocky terrain. We are confident to leave the site with these super safe bets.
Not only are they durable, but RIY piles are corrosion resistant. Also, we like the option of buying 4 or 8 poles for our largest family tent.
long length
While only eight inches is enough, the taller the tent pole, the better the retention.
These stakes are 12 inches long, giving you more than enough security.
Additionally, RIY piles come with a decent sized “nail” head that provides ample surface area for hammering. This is a huge advantage that makes the job much easier.
Ideal to keep in the car
If you’re like me, you pack too much. I never like being taken by surprise without the right tools to set up a safe camp. So in this case I would keep a set of these RIY pegs in the car in case we find a rocky spot for the tent. When lighter designs aren’t enough, these are the camper’s friends.
12″ RIY Steel Piles
- Comes in a pack of 4 or a pack of 8
- very resistant
- Hook and hole design
RIY CONS Steel Piles
- heavy for backpackers
- Very well
Who will love these bets?
These tent pegs would be ideal for those camping in larger tents where the weight of these tent pegs can be distributed among a few backpackers. If you are on very rocky or hard packed ground they will work great. See more information, including current prices, here: RIY Heavy Duty Steel Tent Pegs
MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10”
The Next Step is our favorite lightweight option for hikers traveling over rocky terrain. The MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10″ has a very reliable twist design that easily protects rocks and dense soil.
We’ve found this switch to have remarkable battery life that doesn’t budge when hammered.
Unique auger design
Most of the time, tent pegs come with a simple, straight rod. However, it is not always suitable for sliding between loose rocks to protect against winds.
The MSR Cyclone tent pegs feature a spiral design that is exceptional at gripping the ground, making it much more difficult to move them. Essentially, we’re talking about screws rather than nails in fastening through wood projects.
And, thanks to a hook end, they practically slip off the floor when you’re ready to pack up and go.
light but strong
Aluminum will withstand the elements with its natural resistance to water and corrosion and is exceptionally durable. And we found these stakes to be of very good quality and thickness.
That said, aluminum is also very light and easy to pack if you have a long trek to camp.
The MSR Cyclone weighs only 1.2 ounces per pile, at 4.8 ounces per set.
If you want to travel light this is the best option, especially if you have a large tent and need multiple sets of pegs.
MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10″ PROS
- Take 1.2 oz each
- hang tight
- Excellent hold
- MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10″ CONS
Quite thick, takes up more space in the packaging
- Only comes in four packs
- Very light for mountain camping
Who will love the MSR Cyclone Stake?
Backpackers will love these bets, especially when approaching places with dense packages. See more information, including current pricing, here: MSR Cyclone Aluminum 10″
10″ Euromax Steel Tent Pegs
Whether you have more points of contact with the ground, multiple tents to secure, or just want spares, this pack of ten Euromax 10″ steel pegs is ideal for those with more intense needs.
Countersunk tips
It is important to have a stable and solid point to facilitate driving. In fact, you might struggle to get as far as you need with a blunt stitch.
As such, we were very impressed with the milled ends of these tent pegs which are specially designed to break through even the densest rocky ground.
Additionally, the stakes come with a flat head which makes hammering much easier and faster.
all you need
For those new to camping, you may need more than just a betting game. It’s a great option because it comes with so much more.
Most of the time you will notice that the set comes with ten tent pegs instead of a set of four or eight. This is ideal for more anchor points or for spares.
Plus, the stakes come with four 10-foot ropes and stoppers for added security.
Although these are very strong, we found them to be quite thin in diameter approximately. 1/4″). That said, we decided to use the extra pegs for additional tie down points along the base of the tent. We found the slim profile to break through the hardpan very quickly.
If you’re looking for a kit that can withstand rough terrain, winds, and harsh conditions, this is a great option.
Euromax 10″ PROS Steel Tent Pegs
- comes with strings
- Easy to use
- heavy work
- quick fix
Euromax 10″ Steel Tent Poles CONS
- Some slight bends noticed
- Weighed in at 2.3 pounds per set
- Bag not included
Who would this unit be perfect for?
These Euromax poles would be perfect for hikers with large tents or for several days in the mountains. See moe information, including current prices, here: Euromax 10″ Steel Tent Pegs
MSR Carbon Core 6″ Peg
Another great choice for the alpine desert is the MSR Carbon Core 6″ Peg. You can be forgiven for thinking that these lightweight aluminum tent pegs don’t have much durability. However, thanks to a tough carbon core, they are perfect for any job.
Lightweight and easy to pack
One of the most notable things about MSR carbon states is their weight.
If you regularly go out to explore the desert, you’ll appreciate that the MSR Carbon Core has 1.2 oz overall.
The MSR Carbon Core is made with a solid carbon core that is encased in aluminum.
Carbon is incredibly strong and won’t bend or break under pressure, while aluminum is highly resistant to the elements. Both materials are extremely lightweight and an ideal choice for campers on the go.
quality advice
A good quality drill bit is essential for tackling rocky terrain. Plus, regardless of its lightweight design, the MSR’s toe is designed to glide easily over tough terrain.
Additionally, this set also has a flat, round head which makes hammering much less work.
This will not only make the job easier, but also make it faster so you can spend more time enjoying your camping trip.
MSR Carbon Core 6″ PROS Peg
- Light
- Sustainable
- easy to configure
- weatherproof
MSR Carbon Core 6″ CONS Peg
- Short
- Only comes in a pack of four
Who would this unit be perfect for?
The MSR Carbon Core would be a great choice for hikers with smaller tents or those carrying the bare minimum. See more information, including current pricing, here: MSR Carbon Core 6″ Peg
iBasingo Titanium Alloy Tent Pegs
Finally, we have found iBasingo titanium alloy piles to be exceptionally light, very durable and suitable for use in a wide range of conditions.
Whether you’re pitching your tent in strong winds or trying to overcome solid ground, they won’t let you down.
resistant material
There are many different metals that can be used to make tent pegs, but none are as durable as titanium.
Titanium is a very tough material that easily withstands the pressure of being hammered into dense soil or rocky terrain.
Plus, titanium is incredibly lightweight and won’t weigh down your backpack.
iBasingo titanium alloy stakes weigh only 12 oz for the set.
We have found that iBasingo piles provide excellent strength and give us confidence in their safety.
easy to remove
Anyone who has ever tried to pull tent pegs out of hard ground knows how difficult it can be. But the good news is that these pegs are designed for much easier removal, so when it’s time to pack up and go, you won’t have a problem.
For example, the stakes feature a handy pull cord at the top that can simply be grabbed and pulled to pull the stake out of the ground.
iBasingoPROS Tent Pegs
- Great autonomy
- Light
- easy to remove
- 10″ length
iBasingo CONS Tent Pegs
- without carrying bag
- The pointed end is a bit too smooth
Who would this unit be perfect for?
These titanium stakes are super useful in rocky terrain, and campers in salty environments will appreciate their corrosion resistance. See more information, including current prices, here: iBasingo Titanium Alloy Tent Pegs
Before choosing bets for your next trip
Most of the time, unless you’re camping somewhere you’ve been before, campers won’t know the terrain until they’re there. We are on the side of caution and assume the terrain will be rough and rocky. So, before choosing your tent pegs, be sure to look for ones that are:
A resistant material. High tensile steel is the best choice to avoid bending and breaking under pressure. However, titanium is also great if you’re looking for a lightweight backpack option.
An ideal drilling profile. Nail or screw shaped designs are ideal for drilling through difficult rocky terrain. However, V-shaped styles are versatile for all soils and are ideal for rocky conditions. In addition, nail pins are more durable.
The right length. The 8-12″ long stakes hold firmly in rocky ground. Shorter options will likely change and loosen your tent security. While you can’t always prepare for every type of terrain, you really can’t go wrong with any of the amazing options we’ve developed.
camp with confidence
Camping should be an enjoyable experience, and it can be hard to relax if you’re constantly worried about your tent exploding. Hard ground requires a heavier tent peg than average garden ground. However, with bets that take these hurdles into account, your next camping trip will start and end effortlessly other than survival in the forest part. Don’t forget your hammer and your guys. Enjoy the journey and embrace nature!