Verify before you go. Details come from state agency records and may be out of date. Check local conditions, closures and fees with the managing agency before launching. Not for navigation.

What to check before you go

Ramp details here come from state agency records, which can be out of date. Before a trip, spend five minutes checking these four things.

1. Fees

Each ramp page shows whether agency records list a fee. "Unknown" means the record did not say. Fees, parking passes and payment methods change, so confirm with the agency or site manager that runs the ramp.

2. Hours and closures

Some ramps are open around the clock and some close at night or for the season. Ramps also close for repairs, storms, high water or low water. Check the managing agency's website or call them, especially after bad weather.

3. Water levels

Low water can leave a ramp's end out of the water, and high water can cover the ramp, dock or parking. Where a nearby U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge exists, our ramp pages show its latest provisional reading. You can also look up gauges directly on USGS water data. For lakes run by dams, check the operator's lake level information.

4. Weather

Check the National Weather Service marine or local forecast for wind, storms and any warnings or advisories. Our ramp pages show the current NWS forecast for that spot. Plan to be off the water before thunderstorms arrive; the NWS lightning safety page explains why.

Report what you find

If a ramp's details here are wrong, use the "Report a change" button on its page so we can fix it.

Your state wildlife agency publishes the rules for boat registration, required equipment, operator education and local restrictions: Florida FWC boating regulations, Tennessee TWRA boating and Kentucky KDFWR boating.

Official sources

Not legal advice. Boating rules differ by state and change over time. Check your state's current rules with your state wildlife agency (FWC, TWRA or KDFWR) before you go.