Lake Dock Styles, 6 Classic Types with Pros and Cons

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A lake dock is a platform built out from the shore where boats tie up and people swim, fish and relax. The six classic styles are piling, pipe, floating, lift up, double decker and crib docks. The best one for a lake depends on water depth, the lake bottom, how much the water level changes, and how rough the water gets.

This guide compares each style, shows which dock fits which lake condition, and covers the basics of permits and DIY builds. It also lists the lines and fenders that make tying up at any lake dock easier.

What Is a Dock on a Lake?

A dock on a lake is a structure that gives boats a place to tie up so they do not drift away. Many lake docks also serve as a spot for swimming, fishing and entertaining. Some are permanent and built on pilings or cribs. Others float, rest on pipes or lift out of the water for winter.

Lake Dock Styles Compared

What Lake Docks Are Used For

• Mooring. A dock's main job is to give your boat a secure place to stay. Some docks allow long term mooring, while others only let boats tie up briefly for loading and unloading.
• Swimming. Jumping off a lake dock on a hot day is a summer favorite, but not every dock is meant for swimming. Boat traffic, electrical current in the water or shallow water can make it unsafe, and some docks carry signs forbidding swimming. Confirm swimming is permitted before getting in.
• Fishing. A dock is a relaxed fishing spot for children, anglers without a boat and serious fishermen alike.
• Entertaining. Some docks are designed mainly as a place to sit with friends or host a party at the water's edge.

Best Dock Type by Lake Condition

The best dock for a lake is the one that matches your water and shoreline. Use these pointers to narrow the choice, then confirm with a qualified local dock builder.

Rough water

Floating docks may feel less stable than other styles in rough conditions. Exposed sites call for a dock designed by a qualified local professional for that site's waves, wakes, ice and bottom conditions, whichever style is chosen. Pipe docks are better suited to calm, shallow spots.

Fluctuating water levels

A floating dock rises and falls with the water. Piling docks and pipe docks are not suited to areas where the water level fluctuates. Some lakes are also drawn down from time to time, so ask about local water level patterns before choosing.

Deep water

Piling docks are good for deeper water. Pipe docks are best used in shallow water. Double decker docks are also used on deep lakes, where upper decks can carry slides and jump platforms. Any diving board must be installed to the maker's instructions and water depth requirements. See the guide to dock diving boards for more.

Shallow water and mucky or soft bottoms

Pipe docks suit shallow water, but they need a firm and even lake bottom. Floating docks suit many shorelines and lake sediment types, which makes them a common option when the bottom is mucky or uneven. Anchoring, exposure and local requirements still need to be assessed for the site.

Swimming

Choose a dock away from heavy boat traffic, and only where swimming is allowed. Check the water for submerged hazards such as rocks, stumps and shallow spots before anyone swims. Diving or jumping from a dock, platform or board requires following the equipment maker's installation and water depth requirements and local rules. If those cannot be met, keep to wading or lowering into the water from a ladder. A floating dock follows the water level, which can make getting in and out simpler. Posted signs and local rules always come first.

Lake house use

Lake house owners often want a dock for entertaining as well as mooring. A double decker offers space to gather and covered slips. A floating or pipe dock is a simpler seasonal choice. For a look at the floating option, read how to choose and use a floating dock.

Pier vs Dock

A pier is generally a fixed structure on pilings that reaches out from the shore. Dock is the broader word for any structure where boats tie up, including floating and removable styles. On a lake the two words overlap in everyday use, and local rules may define them differently, so check the terms used by your permitting office.

Installing Your Own Lake Dock

Before you build or buy, work through these points.

• Laws and ordinances. Like most building projects, a dock needs permission. Research what your city, county and state require before putting anything in the water. Rules and permits vary by location.
• Lake bottom. Find out whether the bottom is flat and sandy, rocky or mucky. This influences which style will work best.
• Shoreline. Note whether the shoreline drops steeply or gradually, and whether it is rocky, sandy or grassy.
• Depth. Know the water depth where the dock will sit and whether it changes, such as a steep drop off.
• Water levels and currents. Lake water levels are generally not driven by significant ocean style tides, but wind, currents, wakes, seiches and managed drawdowns can still change conditions.

Can you build a lake dock yourself?

Floating docks can be a project for DIY savvy boaters, or you can buy a modular system. Piling, double decker and crib docks are best left to a local dock builder unless you are experienced.

6 Classic Lake Dock Styles with Pros and Cons

1. Piling Docks

Piling docks are permanent structures built on wood, concrete or steel pilings driven into the ground for support. A framework is built on top for the walkway, which is then covered in wood, concrete or composite decking. How deep pilings must go depends on the soil and local requirements, so rely on a professional builder.

Wood pilings can be protected from rot with wraps or treatments, and pile caps help shield the wood grain from the weather.

Pros

• Very stable
• Good for deeper water
• Pilings can be used for mooring boats

Cons

• Expensive
• Not good for areas where the water level fluctuates
• Can be damaged by moving ice

2. Pipe Docks

Pipe docks are less permanent than piling docks. They are generally made from aluminum pipes that rest on the lake's bottom sediment. They can be built in several shapes, including straight, L-shaped, T-shaped and U-shaped (shown above).

Many pipe docks are removed during winter, depending on local conditions and the maker's guidance, which means planning for storage of the dock sections. Pipe docks are best used in shallow water, and the right maximum depth varies, so check with the maker or a dock builder. A firm and even lake bottom is recommended.

Pros

• Can be removed for winter and reinstalled in spring

Cons

• Best suited to shallow water
• Not suitable for fluctuating water levels

3. Floating Docks

A floating dock is a dock that floats. The flotation is either modular floating pieces or a framework sitting on floating barrels. You can build one yourself or buy a modular system. For a closer look, see how to choose and use a floating dock with your boat, or consider an inflatable dock for casual swimming and lounging.

Pros

• Suited to many shorelines and lake sediment types
• Rises and falls with water levels

Cons

• Not as stable as other docks, especially in rough water
• Anchoring, exposure and local requirements must be assessed for each site

4. Lift Up Docks

Lift up docks, also called articulating docks, work like a one sided drawbridge. In winter the dock is lifted out of the water. This is a great feature if winter conditions or local ordinances prohibit keeping docks in the water.

Pros

• The cables and gantry used to lift the dock can be hidden away during the summer months
• Simple to raise when it needs to be put away for winter

Cons

• May not look good once raised in the air
• Relies on a lifting setup of cables and a gantry

5. Double Decker Docks

A double decker dock has an upper deck, and sometimes more. The lower level usually has a boat slip or two, while the upper decks can be used for entertaining, slides and jump platforms. Diving boards are sometimes added on deep lakes, but only to the equipment maker's installation and water depth requirements, with the diving board guide as a starting point. Double deckers are made from a variety of materials. A local dock builder is a good idea for this project.

Pros

• Lots of entertaining space
• Overhead coverage and protection for boats

Cons

• More expensive
• Takes up more space

6. Crib Docks

Crib docks are a permanent and fairly expensive dock style. The name comes from large crate like cribs placed in the water, filled with rocks and spaced a few feet apart. They form the foundation that the rest of the dock lies on. They are a traditional choice for supporting heavy covered boathouses. Crib docks are labor intensive, so plan on a local contractor.

Pros

• Very sturdy and strong
• Do not need to be removed seasonally

Cons

• Difficult to DIY
• Expensive

For another take on the same topic, see pros and cons of 5 different types of lake docks.

Gear for Tying Up at a Lake Dock

Whatever style you choose, boats need lines and cushioning where they meet the dock. Waves, wakes and passing boats move the hull constantly, so stretch and padding protect both the boat and the dock.

• Bungee Dock Lines are 4 ft lines that expand up to 5.5 ft, a good fit for quick stops at ramps, slips and fuel docks. Choose black or blue, with 2 rope ends or 1 clip end.
• 3/8 inch Dock Lines are 15 ft double braided nylon lines with a working load of 820 pounds, listed for smaller boats. For heavier tie ups, the 1/2 inch Dock Lines are 25 ft with a 950 pound working load. Line size depends on boat size, so check the line label and your boat's manual. For more on lines, see the best dock lines.
• Boat Fenders are inflatable, UV resistant PVC fenders, each 23 inches long and 6.5 inches wide, with an inflation pump included.
• Dock Bumpers and Corner Guards protect edges, posts and slip corners. They come in 36, 48 and 59 inch lengths plus a corner piece, with stainless steel screws and washers included.
• The Docking Essentials Kit bundles 3/8 inch dock lines, fenders and a boat hook with a rod that adjusts from 3.5 to 6 feet.
• Jet ski owners with a lake house tie up can look at the Jet Ski and PWC Dock Protection Kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dock on a lake?

It is a structure extending from the shore where boats tie up. It can also be used for swimming, fishing and entertaining. Styles include piling, pipe, floating, lift up, double decker and crib docks.

What is the best type of dock for a lake?

It depends on the lake. Floating docks suit many shorelines and bottom conditions and follow changing water levels, though anchoring and exposure must be assessed. Piling docks suit deeper water and add stability. Pipe docks suit shallow water with a firm bottom. Match the style to your depth, bottom, water level changes and wave conditions, and confirm with a local dock builder.

How much does a lake dock cost?

Cost varies widely with style, size, materials and local labor. Get quotes from local dock builders for your site.

How do you make a lake dock?

Start by checking city, county and state permit rules. Then assess your lake bottom, shoreline and depth, and choose a style. Floating docks can be DIY projects, while piling, double decker and crib docks usually call for a local builder.

What is the best dock for rough water?

No single style is right for every rough water site. Floating docks may feel less stable in rough conditions. Exposed sites need a dock designed by a qualified local professional for the waves, wakes, ice and bottom conditions at that spot.

Which dock designs are best for swimming?

Choose a dock away from heavy boat traffic, confirm swimming is permitted, and check for submerged hazards. Any diving or jumping equipment must follow the maker's installation and water depth requirements and local rules. Always follow posted signs.

dock designs for lakes

The six classic lake dock designs are piling, pipe, floating, lift up, double decker and crib docks. The best fit depends on water depth, the lake bottom, how much the water level changes, and how rough the water gets. Check city, county and state rules before putting any dock in the water.

cool lake dock ideas

A double decker dock adds an upper level for entertaining, slides and jump platforms, plus covered boat slips. A lift up dock keeps the cables and gantry out of sight in summer and raises out of the water for winter. Any slide, platform or diving board must follow the maker's installation and water depth requirements.

different types of boat docks

Common types are piling, pipe, floating, lift up, double decker and crib docks. Piling and crib docks are permanent, while pipe docks are often removed for winter and lift up docks are raised out of the water. Floating docks rise and fall with the water level.

docks for lake house

A double decker dock gives lake house owners space to gather plus covered slips, while a floating or pipe dock is a simpler seasonal choice. Match the style to the water depth, bottom and water level changes at the property. For a jet ski tie up, the Better Boat Jet Ski and PWC Dock Protection Kit includes fenders and a bungee dock line.

dock plans for lake

Start by checking city, county and state permit rules, then assess the lake bottom, shoreline and water depth before choosing a style. Floating docks can be a DIY project or a modular system. Piling, double decker and crib docks are best left to a local dock builder.

types of boat docks

The six classic types are piling, pipe, floating, lift up, double decker and crib docks. Whatever the type, lines and fenders such as Better Boat Bungee Dock Lines and Boat Fenders make tying up easier and help protect the hull.

pier designs for lakes

A pier is generally a fixed structure on pilings that reaches out from the shore, so piling docks are the closest match. They suit deeper water and are very stable, but they are expensive and are not good where water levels fluctuate. Local rules may define pier and dock differently, so check the terms used by your permitting office.

dock ideas for lake

Floating docks follow changing water levels, pipe docks suit shallow water with a firm bottom, and piling docks suit deeper water. For tie ups, dock bumpers and corner guards can protect edges, posts and slip corners. Confirm permit requirements and consult a local dock builder before building.

Keep reading

The 6 Best Dock Lines (and Boat Springs) for Securing VesselsSittin’ on the Dock: The 6 Best Dock Boxes to Stow Your Boat GearHow to Choose and Use a Floating Dock with Your Boat