A base for a lantern. The base provides a stable platform for supporting the lantern and prevents tipping of the lantern. The base may be used with fuel burning lanterns or lanterns that utilize batteries or other power sources. The base includes foldable feet. The feet fold out of a plane of the base for storage, for example, downward from the plane. The base is turned over and the feet, when folded (upward when the base is upside down), extend upward around a portion of the lantern during storage. This configuration provides convenient, compact storage of the lantern and base, so that the base may be stored with the lantern and may protect the lantern in storage.