Explore Canvasback Outdoor Services' custom shoreline staircases for Minnesota lake homes, providing safe and durable access to water through eco-friendly designs.

Owning a lake home in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, or anywhere in Chisago County should mean easy, safe access to the water—not slipping down a steep bank or wearing a muddy path into your shoreline.
At Canvasback Outdoor Services, we design and build custom shoreline staircases for Minnesota lake properties that blend seamlessly into the natural landscape while standing up to steep slopes, erosion, and harsh freeze-thaw conditions.
Whether your property sits high above the water or requires a long stair run down to the lake, our shoreline staircases are engineered for durability, safety, and long-term shoreline protection.
Many lakes in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, and throughout Chisago County feature steep banks, elevation changes, and riprap-protected shorelines. Without proper lake access, homeowners often experience:
Erosion caused by repeated foot traffic
Unsafe or unstable paths to the water
Damage to native shoreline vegetation
Difficult access to docks, beaches, and watercraft
A professionally built shoreline staircase solves these problems by directing traffic to a stable access point, protecting the slope, and preserving the integrity of your shoreline.
No two shorelines are the same—and we never treat them that way.
Canvasback Outdoor Services builds custom lake access staircases designed specifically for your property’s:
Shoreline slope and elevation
Soil conditions and erosion risks
Riprap or natural stone shoreline systems
Dock placement and water access needs
Visual style and landscape goals
Our shoreline staircases are frequently integrated with:
Riprap shoreline protection systems
Boulder retaining walls
Native Minnesota shoreline plantings
Natural stone landings and pathways
The result is a staircase that looks like it belongs on your shoreline—not something added as an afterthought.
Minnesota shorelines face freeze-thaw cycles, fluctuating water levels, shifting ice, and wave action. Our shoreline staircases are designed with these realities in mind.
Depending on site conditions in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, or surrounding areas, materials may include:
Natural stone steps
Engineered or treated timber
Compacted gravel and stone bases for drainage
Reinforced landings tied into riprap or boulder walls
Each staircase is built to minimize erosion, accommodate seasonal movement, and remain safe and functional year after year.
Canvasback Outdoor Services specializes in shoreline-friendly construction throughout Chisago County and surrounding lake communities.
Our staircase installations are designed to:
Reduce erosion and runoff into the lake
Protect water quality
Preserve native shoreline vegetation
Comply with local and watershed guidelines
We often coordinate shoreline staircases with native plant restoration, stabilizing the bank while enhancing the natural beauty of the lakefront.
Many lake homes in Forest Lake and White Bear Lake already feature—or require—riprap shorelines for erosion control. We regularly build staircases that integrate cleanly into riprap systems without compromising their effectiveness.
This includes:
Stone or timber stair runs through riprap
Secure transitions from yard to shoreline
Long staircases for elevated lake properties
Natural-looking access points that blend with the shoreline
If your shoreline includes boulders, riprap, or steep slopes, we engineer staircases that are both functional and visually seamless.
Canvasback Outdoor Services proudly builds custom shoreline staircases for lake properties throughout:
Forest Lake, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
Chisago County
Surrounding Minnesota lake communities
If your lake property needs:
Safe, reliable access to the water
Reduced erosion and shoreline wear
A cleaner, more polished shoreline layout
A custom shoreline staircase is often the missing piece.
If you’re considering a shoreline staircase for your Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, or Chisago County property, Canvasback Outdoor Services can help from design through installation.
We’ll evaluate your shoreline, discuss access needs, and recommend a staircase solution that protects your investment while improving how you use your lakefront.
👉 Contact Canvasback Outdoor Services today for a shoreline staircase consultation and quote.