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: North East River. Recorded location: Chestnut Point, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Susquehanna River. Recorded location: Havre de Grace, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Gunpowder Falls – Prettyboy Reservoir. Recorded location: Spook Hill, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Susquehanna River. Recorded location: Port Deposit, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Susquehanna River. Recorded location: Havre de Grace, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Chester River. Recorded location: Crumpton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Sassafras River. Recorded location: Fredericktown, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Sasafras River. Recorded location: Fredericktown, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Southeast Creek. Recorded location: Southeast Landing, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Chester River. Recorded location: Deep Landing, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Sassafras River. Recorded location: Betterton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Gunpowder Falls. Recorded location: Joppatowne, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Bush River. Recorded location: Edgewood, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Middle River. Recorded location: Middle River, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Chesapeake Bay. Recorded location: Rock Hall, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Chesapeake Bay. Recorded location: Hidden Acres, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Back River – Hawk Cove. Recorded location: Dundalk, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Back River. Recorded location: Essex, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Back River – Hawk Cove. Recorded location: Dundalk, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Bullneck Creek. Recorded location: Dundalk, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Bear Creek. Recorded location: Dundalk, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Bear Creek. Recorded location: North Point Village, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Patuxent River – Tridelphia Reservoir. Recorded location: Dobridge, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Patuxent River – T. Howard Duckett Reservoir. Recorded location: Scaggsville, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Middle Branch Patapsco River. Recorded location: Baltimore, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Bear Creek. Recorded location: Dundalk, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Potomac River. Recorded location: Brunswick, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Potomac River. Recorded location: Point of Rocks, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: North Branch Patapsco River – Liberty Lake. Recorded location: Shervettes Corner, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
Recorded waterbody: Skipton Creek. Recorded location: Skipton, MD. Imported access category: Public (unverified). Confirm current launch permission, restrictions and suitability with the facility.
