The drying time of any wood deck that has been freshly stained depends on a number of factors.  These factors, combined with the method by which the stain is applied, will ultimately determine when the boards are dry.  We typically tell our clients to stay off the deck for 24 hours, yet if the deck gets a strong shot of direct sun…it’s pretty good to go within a few hours.  Here’s a freshly stained deck on the Pasatiempo Golf Course.  Notice the decks’benches in the foreground waiting their turn at some LOVE.