3D dendritic Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles wrapped with carbon (denoted as 3DD-Fe₂O₃@C hereafter) were synthesized. It is found that the 3DD-Fe₂O₃@C is composed of α-Fe₂O₃ and amorphous carbon. As an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), it exhibits an excellent discharge/charge capacity (982 mA h g⁻¹ and 971 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at a rate of 100 mA g⁻¹), and good cyclic stability and rate capability.