Canvasdale

Tent peg

By the Canvasdale team · Last checked

A tent peg is a stake pushed into the ground to hold a tent's corner or a guy line in place. Pegs come in different shapes and materials, and the right type depends on the ground you pitch on.

Where you'll see it

Tent pages list the pegs in the pack contents, often with a type or a count. Pitching guides say where each peg goes, and campsite pages may describe the ground, such as grass or hardstanding. Hard surfaces may need different pegs or a different method, so check the maker's advice first.

What to check

  • The pegs the maker supplies, and whether the listing names their type and length.
  • The ground at your pitch, as the campsite booking page describes it.
  • The maker's advice for hardstanding or stony ground, where standard pegs may not hold.
  • Whether a mallet or hammer is supplied, or whether you need to bring one.
  • Whether the pegs are colour-coded or marked, which helps you match them to the right corners.
  • Guy line: the cord that each peg holds.
  • Hardstanding: a firm pitch surface, where pegs can be difficult to use.
  • Grass pitch: a pitch on grass, which is a different surface from hardstanding.

Read more: how to pitch a tent and, if one fits, the tent peg calculator.