Boat Ramps Nearby
Illustration Ramp etiquette
12 rules regulars expect you to know
Staging, courtesy docks and the Clean, Drain, Dry laws that can bring a fine.
Ramp etiquetteBoat ramps in Maryland
117 launches in 66 cities.
The cities with the most launches are Cambridge (6), Severna Park (6) and Annapolis (5). See them on the map
Boating in Maryland: who to ask
- Public access sites: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Boater education: Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 needs a Maryland boating safety education certificate to operate a motorized vessel. Official rule
Taken from official state pages (October 2026). Rules change, so confirm before you go. More: boating license by state.
Lakes and rivers in Maryland
Launching in Maryland at a glance
| Boat ramps | 110 |
|---|---|
| Kayak and canoe launches | 9 |
| Fishing piers and access | 5 |
| Marked free | 11 |
Lakes, rivers and bays near these launches: Patuxent River, Magothy River, Bear Creek, Tuckahoe Creek, Choptank River, Pocomoke River, Piscataway Creek, Mezick Pond.
Full lists for Patuxent River, Bear Creek, Magothy River, Choptank River, Patuxent River, Pocomoke River, Tuckahoe Creek.
Maryland rules to know
- Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 needs a Maryland boating safety education certificate to operate a motorized vessel.
Official access sites and closures: Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
New to the ramps in Maryland? launching a boat, ramp etiquette and launch fees.
Illustration 
Illustration Life jackets
The life jacket rule for every paddler
What the Coast Guard requires on kayaks and canoes, and kids' vests with head support.
Life jacket rulesBoat ramps by city
- Cambridge6
- Severna Park6
- Annapolis5
- Rock Hall5
- Denton4
- Dundalk4
- Saint Michaels4
- Highland3
- Ocean City3
- Snow Hill3
- Westernport3
- Aberdeen Proving Ground2
- Accokeek2
- Baltimore2
- Columbia2
- Crisfield2
- Dunkirk2
- Havre de Grace2
- Laurel2
- Middle River2
- North Beach2
- Pasadena2
- Perryville2
- Point of Rocks2
- Princess Anne2
- Ridgely2
- Rising Sun2
- Arnold1
- Berlin1
- Bladensburg1
- Brooklyn Park1
- Brunswick1
- Centreville1
- Charlestown1
- Charlotte Hall1
- Chesapeake Ranch Estates1
- Chester1
- Croom1
- Crownsville1
- Deale1
- Derwood1
- Easton1
- Edgemere1
- Edgewater1
- Edgewood1
- Elkton1
- Ellicott City1
- Essex1
- Federalsburg1
- Frederick1
- Golden Beach1
- Greensboro1
- Hebron1
- Huntingtown Town Center1
- Keedysville1
- Lexington Park1
- Long Beach1
- Lusby1
- North East1
- Oakland1
- Ocean Pines1
- Olney1
- Owings1
- Salisbury1
- Sykesville1
- Trappe1
Boat ramps in Maryland: questions and answers
How many public boat ramps and launches are in Maryland?
We list 117 launches in 66 cities across Maryland.
Which lakes and rivers in Maryland have the most boat ramps?
On our map: Patuxent River (8), Magothy River (4), Bear Creek (4), Tuckahoe Creek (3), Choptank River (3) and Pocomoke River (3). Many smaller lakes have a single public access.
Are boat ramps in Maryland free?
11 of the 117 launches in Maryland are marked free in the map data. The others may charge, especially in state parks and at Corps lakes.
Where can you launch a kayak in Maryland?
We list 9 kayak and canoe launches in Maryland, for example MD Route 335 at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Patuxent Water Trail 23 in Golden Beach, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum Kayak and Canoe Launch in Lusby and Tuckahoe Boat Ramp in Ridgely.
Where are the fishing piers in Maryland?
5 fishing piers and fishing access sites, including Molly's Hole in Keedysville, Fishing Pier in Lexington Park in Lexington Park, North Beach Pier in North Beach and Bayside Pier in Ocean City.
Do you need a boating license in Maryland?
Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 needs a Maryland boating safety education certificate to operate a motorized vessel. Courses for the Maryland card are available online.
Who manages public boat ramps in Maryland?
Many ramps belong to cities, counties and parks, while the state's network of public access sites is run by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Closures in Maryland are posted on the agency's site.