Browse 135 boat-launch and water-access listings in Maryland. Access, fees, and restrictions vary by facility; confirm details before visiting.
Maryland's boating is dominated by the Chesapeake Bay, and rightfully so. The Bay is one of the premier estuaries in the world and the recreational boating infrastructure built up around it is extensive. From the Susquehanna Flats at the northern end down to the Virginia line, the Eastern Shore, and the western shore tributaries, there is more publicly accessible water in Maryland than most people realize.
The Bay itself ranges from fairly narrow and protected near the northern end to open and exposed in the broader southern sections. Wind and weather can make for rough conditions quickly in the open Bay, especially when the prevailing southwest wind works against an ebbing tide. Crossing the main shipping channel with large vessel traffic requires awareness and proper communication.
The tidal rivers that feed the Bay on both shores - the Patuxent, Potomac, Choptank, Chester, and others - offer excellent protected boating and are where a lot of the Bay's legendary striped bass fishing happens. Rockfish, as locals call them, are deeply woven into Maryland's boating culture.
Annapolis is the center of the sailing world on the mid-Atlantic coast and the harbor there reflects it. Launch ramps near the city are functional but can be congested. Further up the Bay toward Baltimore, the ramps at Sandy Point State Park are busy but well-maintained and offer easy Bay access.
Maryland's registration and boater education requirements are consistent with neighboring states, and DNR law enforcement is active on the Bay, particularly regarding speed zones, wake rules near marinas, and crabbing regulations.
Discover the best boat ramps, popular water bodies, boating regulations, and essential information for Maryland.
Read the Full Guide →🌊 Assawoman Bay
📍 Ocean City, MD
View Details →🌊 Lake Cove
📍 Crapo, MD
View Details →🌊 Isle of Wight Bay
📍 Ocean City, MD
View Details →🌊 Back River - Hawk Cove
📍 Dundalk, MD
View Details →🌊 Chesapeake Bay
📍 Rock Hall, MD
View Details →🌊 Tred Avon River
📍 Bellevue, MD
View Details →Explore 135 boat-launch and water-access listings in Maryland. Some locations may have semi-private or restricted access. Check each facility's details and confirm that public launching is permitted before your trip.
When selecting a boat ramp in Maryland, consider these factors:
Browse the available boat-ramp and water-access listings in Maryland below. Use the filters to narrow your search by county or specific features you need.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Denton, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Fishing Creek. Recorded location: Honga, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Beaverdam Creek. Recorded location: Smithville, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Madison Bay. Recorded location: Madison, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Hearns Cove. Recorded location: Wingate, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Cambridge, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Cambridge, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Cambridge Creek. Recorded location: Cambridge, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Lake Cove. Recorded location: Crapo, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Tred Avon River. Recorded location: Bellevue, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Denton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: New Hope, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Choptank, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Cummings Creek. Recorded location: Wittman, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Town Creek. Recorded location: Oxford, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Choptank River. Recorded location: Easton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Tred Avon River. Recorded location: Easton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Broad Creek. Recorded location: Neavitt, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: La Trappe Creek. Recorded location: Trappe Landing, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Warwick Creek. Recorded location: Secretary, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Piscataway River. Recorded location: Fort Washington, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Wicomnico River. Recorded location: Barbers Quarter, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Mckay Cove. Recorded location: Tall Timbers, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: St. Marys River. Recorded location: Tall Timbers, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Town Creek. Recorded location: California, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: St. Marys River. Recorded location: Piney Point, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Wicomnico River. Recorded location: Blakistone, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Smith Creek. Recorded location: Beans Landing, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Whites Neck Creek. Recorded location: Palmers, MD. Imported access category: Semi-Private (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Whites Neck Creek. Recorded location: Avenue, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
