Blind & Brush

Best Tree Steps

Screw-in and heavy-duty tree steps for building a climbing route — ranked, with the honest note that screw-ins damage trees and are banned on much public land. Live prices.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we pick

Tree steps are the cheap, simple way to build a permanent climbing route to a lock-on stand or a lifeline — and this roundup leads with the honest caveats because they matter more than which step you pick. Screw-in steps wound the tree, and for that reason they’re banned on most public land and many leases. Use them only on ground you own or have permission to modify, and where screw-ins aren’t allowed, reach for reusable, tree-friendly climbing sticksinstead — we compare the two in our steps vs sticks guide.

With that settled, we ranked these five on grip, foot platform, capacity and value for a private-land climbing route. And the second non-negotiable: a step gets you up the tree, but it does nothing to catch you — you must stay attached to a lineman’s ropeon the way up and down, because the fall is the real danger in tree hunting and most fall victims weren’t attached. Steps plus a harnessand a lineman’s rope, always.

How this is funded:we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on published specs, concealment fit and value. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not field-tested this gear — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forPrice
1
Ameristep ARS Step Up Tree Steps (8-Pack)

Ameristep ARS Step Up Tree Steps (8-Pack)

The trusted-brand pick for screw-in tree steps: solid, grippy steps from a name hunters know, for building a climbing route to a lock-on or hanging a lifeline. Just remember screw-ins damage trees and aren't legal everywhere.

Best brand pick
$39.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 5, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
GBACHOOSE Screw-In Tree Steps (12-Pack)

GBACHOOSE Screw-In Tree Steps (12-Pack)

The value bulk pick: a twelve-pack of screw-in steps for a full climbing route at a low per-step cost. Enough to reach real height, at a price that makes leaving a few in a favorite tree painless — where screw-ins are legal.

Best value / bulk
$32.99 · View on Amazon

$37.9913% off

Price as of August 5, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Ameristep Grizzly Tree Steps (8-Pack)

Ameristep Grizzly Tree Steps (8-Pack)

The heavier-duty Ameristep step for hunters who want a bigger, more confident platform underfoot. A sturdier foot surface than a minimal step, from a trusted brand — the pick if standard screw-ins feel too small.

Best heavy-duty
$44.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 5, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Highwild 4-Inch Screw-In Tree Steps (705 lb)

Highwild 4-Inch Screw-In Tree Steps (705 lb)

The high-capacity option, rated to hold well beyond a hunter's weight for extra peace of mind. A reassuring choice for larger hunters or anyone who wants a big safety margin underfoot — with the usual screw-in caveats.

Best high-capacity
$24.57 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 5, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Highwild Screw-In Tree Steps

Highwild Screw-In Tree Steps

The budget entry: cheap, simple screw-in steps to try a climbing route without much outlay. Fine for a hunter testing a lock-on setup on private ground, with the same honest caveats as every screw-in.

Best budget
$23.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 5, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best brand pickScrew-in tree steps

Ameristep ARS Step Up Tree Steps (8-Pack)

The trusted-brand pick for screw-in tree steps: solid, grippy steps from a name hunters know, for building a climbing route to a lock-on or hanging a lifeline. Just remember screw-ins damage trees and aren't legal everywhere.

Strengths

  • Sturdy, grippy steps from a trusted brand
  • Simple to place a climbing route to a lock-on
  • Reusable season to season

Trade-offs

  • Screw-in steps damage trees and are banned on much public land
  • You still need a lineman's rope — never climb unattached
TypeScrew-in tree steps
Pack8 steps
ReusableYes
Rated capacityNot published
Legal on public landOften no — check rules

The spec that matters. Screw-in steps wound the tree and are prohibited on most public land and many leases — check your regulations first, and consider strap-on steps or climbing sticks where screw-ins aren't allowed. And never climb steps without a lineman's rope keeping you attached.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#2Best value / bulkScrew-in tree steps

GBACHOOSE Screw-In Tree Steps (12-Pack)

The value bulk pick: a twelve-pack of screw-in steps for a full climbing route at a low per-step cost. Enough to reach real height, at a price that makes leaving a few in a favorite tree painless — where screw-ins are legal.

Strengths

  • Twelve steps for a full route at a low price
  • Enough to reach genuine height
  • Cheap enough to dedicate to a set tree

Trade-offs

  • Off-brand — inspect and respect the rating
  • Same tree-damage and legality caveat as all screw-ins
TypeScrew-in tree steps
Pack12 steps
ReusableYes
Rated capacityNot published
Legal on public landOften no — check rules

The spec that matters. A bigger pack lets you leave a dedicated climbing route in a private-land tree — but off-brand steps deserve a close inspection each season, and every screw-in step comes with the same rule: legal on private land you own or lease, usually not on public.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#3Best heavy-dutyScrew-in tree steps

Ameristep Grizzly Tree Steps (8-Pack)

The heavier-duty Ameristep step for hunters who want a bigger, more confident platform underfoot. A sturdier foot surface than a minimal step, from a trusted brand — the pick if standard screw-ins feel too small.

Strengths

  • Larger, more confident foot platform
  • Sturdy build from a trusted brand
  • Reassuring underfoot on a long climb

Trade-offs

  • Heavier and bulkier to pack in
  • Same screw-in tree-damage and legality caveats
TypeScrew-in tree steps (heavy-duty)
Pack8 steps
Foot platformLarger
Rated capacityNot published
Legal on public landOften no — check rules

The spec that matters. A bigger step surface is genuinely more secure underfoot on a cold, dark climb — but it's still a screw-in, so the tree-damage and public-land rules apply. Where those rule it out, climbing sticks are the mobile, tree-friendly answer.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#4Best high-capacityScrew-in tree steps

Highwild 4-Inch Screw-In Tree Steps (705 lb)

The high-capacity option, rated to hold well beyond a hunter's weight for extra peace of mind. A reassuring choice for larger hunters or anyone who wants a big safety margin underfoot — with the usual screw-in caveats.

Strengths

  • High stated weight rating for a big safety margin
  • Grippy 4-inch step surface
  • Reassuring for larger hunters

Trade-offs

  • Off-brand — verify the rating and inspect regularly
  • Screw-in tree damage and public-land bans still apply
TypeScrew-in tree steps
Rated capacity705 lb (stated)
Step size4"
PackNot published
Legal on public landOften no — check rules

The spec that matters. A high weight rating is reassuring, but a stated number on an off-brand step still deserves your own inspection each season. Whatever you climb, the rating means nothing if you're not attached — always use a lineman's rope on the way up and down.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#5Best budgetScrew-in tree steps

Highwild Screw-In Tree Steps

The budget entry: cheap, simple screw-in steps to try a climbing route without much outlay. Fine for a hunter testing a lock-on setup on private ground, with the same honest caveats as every screw-in.

Strengths

  • Lowest cost to try screw-in steps
  • Simple, grippy step design
  • Reusable on private ground

Trade-offs

  • Basic build — inspect before every use
  • Screw-ins damage trees and are widely banned on public land
TypeScrew-in tree steps
ReusableYes
Rated capacityNot published
PackNot published
Legal on public landOften no — check rules

The spec that matters. Cheap steps are a fine way to test whether a lock-on route suits you before investing in climbing sticks — but inspect budget steps hard, respect the rating, and always climb attached to a lineman's rope.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

How to choose tree steps

First, confirm they’re legal where you hunt— screw-in steps are prohibited on most public land, so this is a private-land tool. Then weigh foot platform and grip (a bigger, grippier step is more secure on a cold, dark climb), capacity (buy a rating with a comfortable margin over your loaded weight), and pack count (enough steps to build your route to hunting height, roughly one every 12 inches).

Screw-in vs. strap-on vs. sticks

Screw-in steps are cheapest and most secure but damage the tree and are widely banned. Strap-on steps are gentler on the tree and more portable but pricier. Reusable climbing sticksare the mobile, tree-friendly, public-land-legal answer — heavier per climb but you take them with you. Pick based on whether you’re building a fixed route on private ground or hunting mobile; our comparison breaks it down.

Steps don’t make you safe

No step, at any price or rating, is fall protection. Climb attached to a lineman’s rope from the ground up, wear a harness, inspect every step before you trust it (especially off-brand ones), and never exceed the rating. Learn the full sequence in our how to hang a stand guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are screw-in tree steps legal?

On private land you own or have permission to modify, generally yes. On most public land — national and state forests, wildlife management areas — screw-in steps are prohibited because they damage the trees. Always check the specific regulations for the land you hunt; where screw-ins are banned, use reusable climbing sticks instead.

Do tree steps damage trees?

Screw-in steps do — they bore into the trunk and leave wounds that can let in disease. That's why they're banned on most public land. If tree damage is a concern (or you hunt public ground), strap-on steps or reusable climbing sticks are the tree-friendly alternatives.

How many tree steps do I need?

Enough to reach your hunting height with a step roughly every 12 inches, plus a couple at the top to stand and hang gear. For a 15–20 foot climb that's often 15–20 steps. Many hunters buy a pack of 8–12 and add more as needed. Space them evenly so the climb is comfortable and secure.

Are tree steps or climbing sticks better?

It depends. Screw-in steps are cheapest and most secure but damage trees and are banned on public land — a private-land, fixed-route tool. Climbing sticks are reusable, tree-friendly, public-land-legal and mobile, but heavier to carry each hunt. Choose steps for a permanent private-land setup, sticks for mobile or public-land hunting.

Sources

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