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 Minnesota
373 launches in 139 cities.
The cities with the most launches are Ely (31), Minneapolis (22) and Saint Paul (19). See them on the map
Boating in Minnesota: who to ask
- Public access sites: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Boater education: A watercraft operator's permit is being phased in for operators 12 and older of motorboats over 25 hp and all personal watercraft: born after June 30, 2004 since July 2025, after June 30, 2000 from July 2026, up to everyone born after June 30, 1987 by July 2028. Read the rule
- Kayaks and canoes: Non-motorized canoes and kayaks longer than 10 ft must be registered (licensed) with the DNR; craft 10 ft or shorter are exempt.
Source: the state agencies linked above, October 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you go. More: boating license by state.
Lakes and rivers in Minnesota
What Minnesota offers on the water
| Boat ramps | 349 |
|---|---|
| Kayak and canoe launches | 56 |
| Fishing piers and access | 18 |
| Marked free | 49 |
The launches in Minnesota sit on Mississippi River, Lake Vermilion, Rum River, Rainy River, Saint Croix River, Pelican Lake, Birch Lake, Burntside Lake.
All launches on Lake Vermilion, Mississippi River, Rum River, Pelican Lake, Rainy River, Burntside Lake, Gilmore Creek, Lake Elmo.
Minnesota rules to know
- Minnesota requires boaters to drain all water by pulling the plug when leaving a lake, and to trailer with the plug out.
- Non-motorized boats longer than 10 feet must be registered in Minnesota.
- A watercraft operator's permit is being phased in for operators 12 and older of motorboats over 25 hp and all personal watercraft: born after June 30, 2004 since July 2025, after June 30, 2000 from July 2026, up to everyone born after June 30, 1987 by July 2028.
State agency for public boat access: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
New to the ramps in Minnesota? 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
- Ely31
- Minneapolis22
- Saint Paul19
- Babbitt16
- Grand Marais14
- International Falls13
- Mountain Iron11
- Bemidji10
- Cannon Falls6
- Detroit Lakes6
- Duluth6
- Winona6
- Annandale5
- Baudette5
- Cohasset5
- Goodview5
- Bagley4
- Eden Prairie4
- Grand Portage4
- Lake Elmo4
- Parkville4
- Alexandria3
- Anoka3
- Champlin3
- Chanhassen3
- Crosby3
- Cross Lake3
- Lake City3
- Minnetonka3
- Monticello3
- Silver Bay3
- Taylors Falls3
- Wabasha3
- Walker3
- Baxter2
- Buffalo2
- Burnsville2
- Caledonia2
- Canby2
- Coleraine2
- Excelsior2
- Faribault2
- Fergus Falls2
- Gilbert2
- Grand Rapids2
- Hastings2
- Madison Lake2
- Menahga2
- Mound2
- New Richland2
- Oronoco2
- Owatonna2
- Park Rapids2
- Pelican Rapids2
- Perham2
- Red Lake Falls2
- Red Wing2
- Rockford2
- Saint Francis2
- Saint Peter2
- Scandia2
- Stillwater2
- Waconia2
- Aitkin1
- Albert Lea1
- Andover1
- Appleton1
- Arden Hills1
- Bayport1
- Becker1
- Big Lake1
- Brainerd1
- Chaska1
- Chisholm1
- Crookston1
- Dawson1
- Dayton1
- Dundas1
- East Bethel1
- Elbow Lake1
- Elk River1
- Eyota1
- Fulda1
- Glenwood1
- Hallock1
- Hinckley1
- Howard Lake1
- Janesville1
- Keewatin1
- Lakeland1
- Lakeville1
- Litchfield1
- Little Falls1
- Long Lake1
- Lonsdale1
- Mahnomen1
- Maple Plain1
- Mapleton1
- Mendota Heights1
- Montevideo1
- Moorhead1
- Moose Lake1
- New Ulm1
- Nisswa1
- Northfield1
- Orono1
- Ortonville1
- Osakis1
- Osseo1
- Parkers Prairie1
- Pine City1
- Pipestone1
- Prior Lake1
- Redby1
- Rice1
- Rock Creek1
- Roseau1
- Rush City1
- Rushford1
- Saint Cloud1
- Sauk Rapids1
- Shakopee1
- Sleepy Eye1
- Spicer1
- Spring Park1
- Thief River Falls1
- Two Harbors1
- Tyler1
- Victoria1
- Vineland1
- Warroad1
- Waterville1
- Wayzata1
- Wells1
- Wheaton1
- Willmar1
- Windom1
- Worthington1
- Wyoming1
Boat ramps in Minnesota: questions and answers
How many public boat ramps and launches are in Minnesota?
We list 373 launches in 139 cities across Minnesota.
Which lakes and rivers in Minnesota have the most boat ramps?
On our map: Mississippi River (23), Lake Vermilion (8), Rum River (6), Rainy River (6), Saint Croix River (6) and Pelican Lake (5). Smaller lakes in Minnesota often have just one ramp.
Are boat ramps in Minnesota free?
49 of the 373 launches in Minnesota are marked free in the map data. Most others in Minnesota have no fee information, and state parks and Corps of Engineers lakes usually charge a day-use fee.
Where can you launch a kayak in Minnesota?
We list 56 kayak and canoe launches in Minnesota, for example Clearwater River Canoe Access in Annandale, Birch Lake (NE) Public Water Access Site in Babbitt, Birch Lake (S) Public Water Access Site in Babbitt and Birch Lake (W) Public Water Access Site in Babbitt.
Where are the fishing piers in Minnesota?
18 fishing piers and fishing access sites, including Fishing Pier in Appleton in Appleton, Sweet's Fishing with Steve Sweet in Baudette, Walleye Retreat in Baudette and Diamond Point Park Fishing Pier in Bemidji.
What are the drain plug rules in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires boaters to drain all water by pulling the plug when leaving a lake, and to trailer with the plug out.
Do kayaks need to be registered in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, paddle craft longer than 10 feet need a registration.
Do you need a boating license in Minnesota?
A watercraft operator's permit is being phased in for operators 12 and older of motorboats over 25 hp and all personal watercraft: born after June 30, 2004 since July 2025, after June 30, 2000 from July 2026, up to everyone born after June 30, 1987 by July 2028. Most boater education cards never expire.
Who manages public boat ramps in Minnesota?
Many ramps belong to cities, counties and parks, while the state's network of public access sites is run by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check there for closures and current rules.