Missouri River
Provides access to Missouri River. Located in Burleigh County. Public access.
Cottonwood Lake
🌊 Cottonwood Lake
📍 Williams County, ND
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Boat Ramps in North Dakota
Discover 350 public boat launches, ramps, and marina access points throughout North Dakota. Find the perfect launch site for your next boating adventure.
350
Total Boat Ramps
McLean County
36 ramps - Most in County
57
Counties Covered
Boating in North Dakota - Devils Lake to Sakakawea
North Dakota's boating scene is built around two very different water bodies and everything in between. Devils Lake in the eastern part of the state has been rising for decades and is now one of the largest natural lakes in the Great Plains, with an outstanding walleye and yellow perch fishery. The lake has multiple public access points and the fishing draws people from well outside the state.
Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States by surface area and stretches across the western and central part of the state. The reservoir is enormous and remote in its upper reaches, and navigating the western portions requires attention to water levels, which can vary significantly with Missouri River management decisions. Garrison Dam at the eastern end of the lake is the infrastructure anchor, and the ramp facilities near Garrison and Pick City are the best-developed in the area.
The Missouri River below Garrison Dam through Bismarck and on toward South Dakota flows as a modified river with reservoir behavior and has ramp access at several points.
Wind is a constant factor in North Dakota boating. The open Great Plains provide no shelter, and conditions on Sakakawea can build to whitecaps quickly. Checking forecasts and being willing to stay off the water when conditions aren't right is practical judgment, not excessive caution.
North Dakota's boating regulations align with neighboring states, and the Game and Fish Department manages public access across the lake system.
Complete Guide to Boating in North Dakota
Discover the best boat ramps, popular water bodies, boating regulations, and essential information for North Dakota.
Read the Full Guide →Featured Boat Ramps in North Dakota
Coal Mine Lake
🌊 Coal Mine Lake
📍 Sheridan County, ND
View Details →Devils Lake
🌊 Devils Lake
📍 Fort Totten District, ND
View Details →Lake Audubon
🌊 Lake Audubon
📍 McLean County, ND
View Details →Sheyenne River
🌊 Sheyenne River
📍 Lisbon, ND
View Details →Whitman Dam
🌊 Whitman Dam
📍 Nelson County, ND
View Details →Browse by County
McLean County
36 rampsWilliams County
19 rampsStutsman County
18 rampsMountrail County
14 rampsGrant County
13 rampsBarnes County
13 rampsMercer County
12 rampsMorton County
10 rampsSargent County
10 rampsRolette County
10 rampsBurleigh County
9 rampsLaMoure County
8 rampsKidder County
8 rampsMcKenzie County
8 rampsRichland County
8 rampsEmmons County
7 rampsBenson County
7 rampsDunn County
7 rampsBottineau County
7 rampsMcIntosh County
6 rampsRamsey County
6 rampsRenville County
6 rampsPierce County
6 rampsNelson County
5 rampsCass County
5 rampsBurke County
5 rampsWard County
4 rampsRansom County
4 rampsGriggs County
4 rampsSteele County
4 rampsOliver County
4 rampsLogan County
4 rampsGrand Forks County
4 rampsSheridan County
4 rampsPembina County
4 rampsBarnes
4 rampsStark County
3 rampsBowman County
3 rampsDivide County
3 rampsWells County
3 rampsHettinger County
3 rampsMcHenry County
3 rampsWalsh County
3 rampsSioux County
3 rampsDickey County
3 rampsMcLean
3 rampsGolden Valley County
2 rampsSlope County
2 rampsEddy County
2 rampsTowner County
2 rampsAdams County
2 rampsEmmons
2 rampsFoster County
1 rampCavalier County
1 rampTraill County
1 rampMcKenzie
1 rampRichland
1 rampAbout Boating in North Dakota
North Dakota offers excellent boating opportunities with 350 boat ramps across the state. Whether you're looking to launch on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, our directory helps you find the perfect access point for your watercraft.
Finding the Right Boat Ramp
When selecting a boat ramp in North Dakota, consider these factors:
- Number of launch lanes to avoid congestion during peak times
- Parking availability for vehicles and boat trailers
- Launch fees - many public ramps are free to use
- Ramp surface condition (concrete, asphalt, or gravel)
- Hours of operation and seasonal accessibility
- Nearby amenities like restrooms, fish cleaning stations, and bait shops
Explore All Ramps Below
Browse our complete directory of boat ramps in North Dakota below. Use the filters to narrow your search by county or specific features you need.
Epping-Springbrook Dam
Provides access to Epping-Springbrook Dam. Located in Williams County. Public access.
Long Lake (Bottineau)
Provides access to Long Lake (Bottineau). Located in Bottineau County. Public access.
Lake Ashtabula
Provides access to Lake Ashtabula. Located in Sibley Trail Township, ND. Public access.
Carlson-Tande Dam
Provides access to Carlson-Tande Dam. Located in Lenora Township, ND. Public access.
Lake Ashtabula
Provides access to Lake Ashtabula. Located in Sibley Trail Township, ND. Public access.
Jamestown Reservoir
Provides access to Jamestown Reservoir. Located in Midway Township, ND. Public access.