Boat Ramps
From the centuries before the arrival of Europeans, fishing has been done extensively in Rhode Island, for commerce and for pleasure. One of the state's gastronomic delicacies is the clam known as the quahog. The vast Narragansett Bay, as well as the state's shoreline along the Atlantic, provide lots of fishing spots. Many boat ramps are available at many locations.
Our picks
Barrington, RI
Haines Memorial State Park
On Bullock's Cove, off Metropolitan Park Drive, directions to Haines Memorial State Park 401-253-7482This park on the Bay has a wheelchair- and handicap-accessible boat ramp.
Charlestown, RI
Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway
End of West Beach Road, off Post Road / Route 1, directions to Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug BreachwayThe boat ramp Quonochontaug Breachway gives access to both Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound. This is a large salt pond with many coves and channels. Good for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats. This is a site for launching boats from trailers. Heavy use from fishermen, boaters and day-trippers. Portable toilets usually on site in the summer.
Parking: Parking lot with 50 spaces; wheelchair accessible
Charlestown, RI
Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch
Watchaug Pond, via Sanctuary Road off Route 1, directions to Watchaug Pond State Boat LaunchThere is a site for launching boats from trailers on the west side of the pond, within the state campground. It also may be used for canoes and kayaks. People not staying at the campground are better off using the state launch on the east side of the pond (see map link). Motor boats and water skiing are allowed on the pond, but jet skis are not. Parking and rest rooms available. See full description of Burlingame State Park .
Lincoln, RI
Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln Woods State Park off Les Pawson Loop, directions to Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State ParkThis ramp is concrete set into the gravel lake floor. It is for launching boats from trailers, but it may be used for canoes and kayaks. Hand-carried boats may be launched a several places on the pond; the best location is on the east side. There is a kayaking school near this location. This area is stocked with trout several times throughout the year. There is a 10 H.P. limit on all outboard motors used on the pond. No motors at all are allowed on holidays and weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Hours: Year-round; sunrise to sunset
Parking: M/b> A lot has 50 spaces; no overnight parking
Burrillville, RI
Wilson Reservoir
East Wallum Lake Road, directions to Wilson ReservoirThis cement plank boat ramp is for launching boats from trailers; also canoes and kayaks. There is a 10hp limit on motors. Parking is available.
South Kingstown, RI
Tucker Pond
Off Tuckertown Road, directions to Tucker PondCement slab; 10 HP limit, Parking is available.
Chepachet, RI
Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake)
at Jackson Schoolhouse and Widow Smith roads, directions to Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake)This site, managed by the state Department of environmental Management, has a gravel parking lot and a cement plank boat ramp. This is a popular lake in the summer and the shoreline is heavily developed. No motors above 10 hp may be used from this boat ramp between the Saturday before Memorial Day and the day after Labor Day. This is a busy aterway; watch out for paddlers and boaters.
Richmond, RI
Wyoming Pond (Wood River)
Bridge Street and Nooseneack Hill road, directions to Wyoming Pond (Wood River)This is a site for launching boats from trailers and a portage. This site at the south end of Wyoming Pondis a common take-out for a paddle down the upper Wood River.
Richmond, RI
Wyoming Pond (Wood River)
Bridge Street and Nooseneack Hill road, directions to Wyoming Pond (Wood River)26 acres. Location: Route 95 to Route 138W, site just past intersection of Routes 3 and 138 and Bridge Street, on the right. Gravel ramp. Parking: Yes
South Kingstown, RI
Worden's Pond
Worden's Pond Road, directions to Worden's PondTake Route 138 to Route 110 to Worden's Pond Road. Take right after one-half mile on north side. Ramp is a cement slab. Parking available.
Tiverton, RI
Stafford Pond
off Old Stafford Road, directions to Stafford PondThere is a cement plank boat ramp and a gravel parking lot at the put-in. For boats launched from the state boat ramp the motor must be under 10hp (or electric). (This pond is stocked with trout several times a year.)
West Greenwich, RI
Big River
at Route 3 (Nooseneck Road), directions to Big Riverthis place is for launching small boats like canoes and kayaks. From here you can paddly upstream or downstream. Big River is very slow moving. Heading downstream from here takes you under Route 3 and then under I-95 and into Reynolds Pond. Upstream from Route 3 you are heading into Big River Management Area. See website for more description.
Hopkinton, RI
Bradford Landing (Pawcatuck River)
Off route 215 just south of intersection with Route 91, directions to Bradford Landing (Pawcatuck River)The natural gravel shoreline of the river can be used as a boat ramp for small, trailered boats, but is better for launching hand carried boats.
Westerly, RI
Chapman's Pond (Burden's)
off Larry Hirsch Lane, directions to Chapman's Pond (Burden's)At the access site there is a gravel parking lot and a cement plank boat ramp. No motors over 10 hp may be launched here. Invasive species have made it hard to fish and boat on Chapman's Pond. Please wash your boat, motor, trailer, and gear after leaving Chapman Pond to prevent transporting invasive species to other ponds.
Coventry, RI
Tiogue Lake
end of North Glen Drive, directions to Tiogue LakeThis cement plank boat ramp is tucked into a residential area at the south end of Tiogue Lake. There is limited parking here. (Tiogue Lake is stocked with trout in spring.)
Coventry, RI
Tiogue Lake
end of North Glen Drive, directions to Tiogue Lake215 acres. Location: Glen Drive Ramp - Arnold Road to Crestwood Road, take a left onto North Glen Drive, follow to end. Parking: Yes.
Exeter, CT
Breakheart Pond
Off Hicks Trail, directions to Breakheart PondBreakheart Pond occupies 44 acres in Arcadia Management Area, with large white pine trees all around. At the access site there is a gravel parking lot and a boat ramp that is just the natural gravel shoreline. Breakheart Pond is restricted to non-motorized boats and boats powered by electric motor.
Glocester, RI
Bowdish Reservoir
Putnam Pike (Route 44), directions to Bowdish ReservoirAfter George Washington Campground entrance, take third left to boat ramp, which is concrete slab. 10 HP limit, Parking available.
Glocester, RI
Keech Pond
Indian Trail, directions to Keech PondTake Route 44 Glocester to Chestnut Hill Road, to Indian Trail, to end. Boat ramp is on the left. 10 HP limit. Parking is available.
Smithfield, RI
Stillwater Reservoir (Stump Pond)
Log Road, directions to Stillwater Reservoir (Stump Pond)This is a boat launch for hand-carried boats and it is also a portage. Additional access to the reservoir is on the west side, where there is a slab boat ramp, with parking. The shoreline there is also better for launching hand carried boats.
Narragansett, RI
Galilee boat ramp
Corner of Galilee Road and Great Island Road., southeast side of Great Island Bridge, directions to Galilee boat rampLinked concrete planks form a double ramp. Parking is available. Busy on summer weekends. Handicap access.
North Kingstown, RI
Wickford
east end of Intrepid Drive, directions to WickfordOff Post Road, Route 1, near fire station. The linked concrete plank is moderately steep. Depth at mean low water is three feet. Portable toilets. Parking is available.
Portsmouth, RI
Weaver Cove
off Burma Road, directions to Weaver CoveOne mile south of Stringham Road and south of Melville complex. Concrete ramp is handicap accesssible. Plenty of vehicle and trailer parking. Four feet reported at mean low water.
Westerly, RI
Westerly Boat Ramp
Main Street, one-quarter mile south of Broad Street (Route 1) across from McQuade's Marketplace, directions to Westerly Boat RampOn the Pawtucket River. Concrete slab ramp with plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. Handicap access.
Newport, RI
Fort Adams State Park
80 Fort Adams Drive, directions to Fort Adams State Park 401-847-2400The boat launch is located at the southwest corner of the park - take the second right off Fort Adams Drive (at the Public Sailing Center lot), then bear right at the beach to reach the ramp. Concrete slab. Fishing piers. Handicap access.
Jamestown, RI
Fort Wetherill State Park
Fort Wetherill Road, directions to Fort Wetherill State Park 401-884-2010A boat ramp is located at the southeast end of Ocean Street, off Walcott Avenue (Route 138). It is a linked concrete plank for car-top vessels only. It is handicapped accessible, and chemical toilets are available.
Warwick, RI
Goddard Memorial State Park
1095 Ives Road, directions to Goddard Memorial State Park 401-884-2010This park has a concrete planks ramp at the west end of the park near the beach. Boats may be launched only at high tide. Lots of parking for trailers. - Park Map (PDF)
South Kingstown, RI
Barber Pond
Barber's Pond Road, off Route 2, directions to Barber PondElectric trolling motors only. Gravel ramp. Parking available. State operated.
Charlestown, RI
Charlestown Breachway
West end of Charlestown Beach Road, directions to Charlestown BreachwayThe area consists of a wide sandy beach on the ocean, a rock jetty that is a popular fishing site, an RV campground along the east arm of the breachway, and a wetlands area bordering Ninigret Pond. Ninety parking spaces are available onsite. There is an entrance fee during the summer season. Picnic tables, benches, toilets, trash receptacles are onsite.