The Seven Step Dam Falls Hike at
Antietam Lake Park in Reading, Pennsylvania is an easy 0.8-mile loop that leads to the scenic 10-foot tall dam waterfall known as Seven Step Dam Falls.
This guide should be used for visitors who want to hike to the waterfall. If you simply want to walk up to it without hiking, check out our
Seven Step Dam Falls Trail guide instead.
Hiking to Seven Step Dam Falls
This very short hike begins at the Mudcatcher Trailhead parking lot and follows the green-blazed multi-use trail south toward Antietam Lake. Along the way are nice views of the water, including views of the unique-styled valve house located at the lake's south outflow. Note that the outflow of Antietam Lake has a beautiful 30-foot tall waterfall,
Antietam Lake Falls, which should be added to your to-do list while visiting the area. As you follow the trail, it eventually bends to the northeast and runs along Antietam Lake a bit further before you start to hear the rushing water of the Seven Step Dam waterfall.
Seven Step Dam Falls - Mile 0.37
Around mile 0.35, you'll start to find several unofficial trails that lead down to the water. Take one of these to reach the base of Seven Step Dam Falls. From downstream, you'll find excellent views of this 10-foot tall, 30-foot wide human-made waterfall that spills over each cascade of stone in a series of "steps", hence its name.
Hiking Out - Mile 0.38 to 0.8
After exploring Seven Step Dam Falls, the hike back to parking is straight forward. You can add mileage onto the hike by following the official trail or you can follow this route, which takes a shortcut up to the same green-blazed trail as it loops west to parking. This short, but steep, shortcut can save you a bit of time if you're planning to explore other attractions nearby like the
Antietam Lake Falls,
Reading Pagoda,
Neversink Mountain, or the
Birdsboro Climbing Quarry & Reservoir to name a few.
Visit Seven Step Dam Falls without Hiking
Want to visit the waterfall with less walking? Thankfully, for folks like you, there's another faster way to reach the waterfall without putting in much legwork (literally). For the quick and fast way to explore Seven Step Dam Falls, check out our
Seven Step Dam Falls guide.
Parking
Hikers will find a very-small parking lot at the Mudcatcher Trailhead, located along the east side of Angora Road in Reading. The lot is large enough to fit no more than 5 vehicles as of April 2025.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
