A metal walkway with railings leads down through greenery to a dock extending over a body of water.
A small sailboat with two people on a lake near Great Northern Docks, birds soaring above, all surrounded by a compass rose design.

Aluminum Stairs Built for Safe Waterfront Access

Great Northern Docks aluminum stairs are built for safe, reliable access to the water from your dock or shoreline. Available as fully welded one-piece units or modular sectional systems, each stair is made to order for your specific waterfront.
Black and white compass rose with eight main points and decorative outer rings, featuring a fleur-de-lis at north—perfect for accenting Great Northern Docks or Maine Docks.

Find the Right Fit for Your Waterfront

We offer two options to choose from: fully welded stairs for runs up to 7 steps, and modular stairs for 8 steps or more. Both feature anti-slip FRP treads, optional handrails, and multiple mounting configurations for docks, bulkheads, and shorelines.

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  • 47 Years in Business
  • Made in Maine
  • Free Quotes, No Obligations
Prefer to talk? Call us at +1 (207) 693-3770 Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm

See What Our Customers Say

...the entire experience was professional but also stress-free and fun. Best of all, we got the dock of our dreams...

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From Destin’s welcoming greeting when we entered the store, through the dock design process, delivery and installation by Tino to the final product… the entire experience was professional but also stress-free and fun. Best of all, we got the dock of our dreams.

Rebecca Poma
Maine
Rebecca Poma
Maine

...LOVE THE PRODUCT, super high quality! Shipping to Alabama was great! Love my "Great Northern Dock" stairs down here in the south!

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I worked with Gretta ordering the dock stairs descending into the water. Since I could not see the product, I was a little nervous ordering on my own. Gretta helped answer all my questions, and helped me figure out the best system for my situation! I don’t think I would have purchased had she not been such a great help. LOVE THE PRODUCT, super high quality! Shipping to Alabama was great! Love my “Great Northern Dock” stairs down here in the south!

Carol Smyser
Alabama
Carol Smyser
Alabama

...Their product is unmatched in Quality, Longevity and Look. There is no application or shoreline their docks can't accommodate. Not only are Great...

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Great Northern Docks is a first-class company with the best product on the market. As one of the larger dock installation companies in southern Maine I have worked directly with Great Northern for years. Their product is unmatched in Quality, Longevity and Look. There is no application or shoreline their docks can’t accommodate. Not only are Great Northern Docks in a class by themselves they are also the most installer friendly dock systems on the market. My dock business has been exclusively with Great Northern for years and they will always be the only company I will work with. From start to finish you will never be disappointed investing in a Great Northern dock system.

Shoreline Solutions LLC
Maine
Shoreline Solutions LLC
Maine

I just wanted to thank you for your help.  I LOVE my dock stairs! I was nervous to order a big ticket item half the country away but your kind attitude and help

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I just wanted to thank you for your help.  I LOVE my dock stairs! I was nervous to order a big ticket item half the country away but your kind attitude and helpful answers gave me a sense of security. I just wanted to thank you for your help.  So, all the way from Minnesota,  I send a shout out: “Yay for Seth! ”Thanks again,

Linda
Minnesota
Linda
Minnesota

I purchased a new dock this season from Great Northern Docks and was extremely happy with the quality and service. From the initial site review, where the team

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I purchased a new dock this season from Great Northern Docks and was extremely happy with the quality and service. From the initial site review, where the team came out and created options on paper, to the prompt delivery, everything went smoothly. When my installers were short some pipe, I called and GND quickly cut a 20’ pipe into two pieces and had it ready to go within the hour for no extra charge. They also gave me a refund for a few extra pieces that I had left over after installation.The dock itself is great looking, well constructed, and very functional for fun summer days on the lake; whether boating or just relaxing on the dock. Thank you GND!

Eric Miller
Maine
Eric Miller
Maine

Lindsay and the team at Great Northern Docks provided excellent support and guidance in the entire process of selecting the appropriate dock

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Lindsay and the team at Great Northern Docks provided excellent support and guidance in the entire process of selecting the appropriate dock that meets our needs and budget. Assembly was straightforward and the quality of the material as well as the craftsmanship was excellent. My wife and I are looking forward to adding additional accessories next year.

Christopher Cortez
Maine
Christopher Cortez
Maine
Fully Welded Stairs with railings lead through trees to a Maine dock over clear, shallow water, with sunlight streaming through the leaves.

Stairs

Easy-to-install, multi-purpose outdoor stairs.

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FAQ

What are aluminum stairs?

Aluminum stairs are stair systems designed to provide safe access from a dock, bulkhead, or shoreline down to the water. Great Northern Docks aluminum stairs use a marine-grade aluminum frame with anti-slip fiberglass reinforced treads and are made to order based on the number of steps your waterfront requires.

How do I know how many steps I need?

Measure the vertical drop in inches from your starting point to where the stairs will rest on the water bottom. Divide that number by 7, then subtract 1. The result is the number of steps you need. Our team can walk you through this if you’re unsure.

What is the difference between fully welded and modular aluminum stairs?

Fully welded stairs are built as one continuous unit, best for runs up to 7 steps. Modular stairs are built in 1, 2, or 3 step segments that connect together, making them easier to transport and giving you the option to remove lower sections before winter.

Can aluminum dock stairs be used on a shoreline, not just a dock?

Yes. With the optional shore mount kit, aluminum stairs can be installed directly on a bank or shoreline using driven pipe legs. They can also be mounted to bulkheads, retaining walls, or most existing dock platforms using tab brackets or pivot hinges.

Are handrails included with aluminum dock stairs?

Handrails are optional on all Great Northern Docks aluminum stairs. When included, they feature a full-height adult rail and a lower rail for children.

Aluminum Dock Stairs Built for Safe Waterfront Access

Great Northern Docks aluminum stairs into water are designed with safety and longevity in mind. Treads are made from fiberglass reinforced polypropylene with a perforated, textured surface that provides traction even when wet. Each step has a 12″ run and 7″ rise at a 30-degree angle, wide enough to climb comfortably and gradual enough to feel stable underfoot.

Stairs are 3 feet wide (more specifically the treads are 3 feet wide. The overall width of the frame is slightly more than that). and available with optional side railings that include a full-height adult rail and a lower rail for children. The open frame structure lets waves pass through rather than push against the stair, which reduces stress on the mounting hardware over time.

Fully welded aluminum stairs are built as a single unit for runs up to 7 steps. For longer runs or installations where flexibility matters, modular stairs are built in 1, 2, or 3 step segments that connect together. The modular design makes transport easier and gives you the option to remove lower segments before winter to avoid ice damage.

Mounting options include shore mount kits with adjustable pipe sockets, tab brackets for bolting directly to an existing dock or wall, and swing-up pivot hinges for tidal areas where stairs need to be raised and lowered. Stairs are compatible with Dura-LITE and Feather-LITE dock frames as well as most third-party platforms.

A wooden dock with chairs overlooks a calm lake, surrounded by trees. A sailboat floats nearby, and a lifebuoy hangs from the Maine Docks railing.
Two people in swimsuits joyfully jump off a Great Northern Docks wood dock into the water, with a bench and bottle resting on the dock.

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