Boat Ramps Nearby
Illustration Life jackets
The life jacket rule for every paddler
What the Coast Guard requires on kayaks and canoes, and kids' vests with head support.
Life jacket rulesBoat ramps in Des Moines, IA
There are 6 places to launch a boat in Des Moines. Another 7 are within 25 miles.
Search the map around Des Moines
More boat ramps around Des Moines
- 6.2 mi Raccoon River Park Boat Ramp West Des Moines Boat rampFree
- 8 mi Lew Clarkson Park Boat Ramp Johnston Boat ramp
- 8.5 mi Yellow Banks Park Boat Ramp Carlisle Boat ramp
- 14 mi Booneville Access Van Meter Boat rampFree
- 16 mi Jester Park Boat Ramp Granger Boat ramp
- 17 mi Van Meter Recreation Complex Boat Ramp Van Meter Boat ramp
- 19 mi Lake Ahquabi State Park Boat Ramp Indianola Boat ramp
Launching in Des Moines at a glance
| Boat ramps | 6 |
|---|---|
| Marked free | 1 |
Water you can reach from here: Des Moines River, Lime Basin, Easter Lake, Raccoon River, Gray's Lake.
See every ramp on Raccoon River, Des Moines River.
Iowa rules to know
- Operators aged 12 to 17 need a DNR-approved boater education course to run a motorboat over 10 hp or a personal watercraft unless an experienced adult 18 and older is aboard.
Guides for Des Moines boaters: what ramps cost, kayak launches and ramp etiquette.
Illustration 
Illustration Ramp etiquette
12 rules regulars expect you to know
Staging, courtesy docks and the Clean, Drain, Dry laws that can bring a fine.
Ramp etiquetteBoat ramps in Des Moines: questions and answers
Where can you launch a boat in Des Moines, IA?
We list 6 launches in Des Moines, including Carney Park Boat Ramp, Easter Lake Park Boat Ramp and Fort Des Moines Park Boat Ramp. Another 7 are within 25 miles.
Where can you launch for free in Des Moines?
Carney Park Boat Ramp is marked free in the map data. For the other launches in Des Moines we have no fee details.
What water can you reach from the ramps in Des Moines?
The launches in Des Moines give access to Lime Basin, Easter Lake, Raccoon River, Gray's Lake and Des Moines River.
If a launch is missing here, Tell us and we'll add it.