Boat Ramps Nearby
Illustration Paddlers
Launch a kayak without getting soaked
Shore, dock and ramp launches step by step, plus the cart that ends the long carry from the car.
Kayak launch guideKayak & canoe launches in California
We list 12 kayak launches in 11 towns across California. These are places to carry a kayak, canoe or paddleboard to the water.
Midpines 2
- Bagby Boat Launch (Downtown 2) · Merced River
- Bagby Boat Launch (Downtown) · Merced River
Copperopolis 1
- Knights Ferry Recreation Area Boat Ramp · Stanislaus River
Crestline 1
- Hand Launch in Crestline · Silverwood Lake
Hayward 1
Los Gatos 1
- Vasona Reservoir · Vasona Reservoir
Morgan Hill 1
- Uvas Reservoir County Park · Uvas Reservoir
Oceanside 1
Richmond 1
- Boat Ramp Street Slipway · Santa Fe Channel
Sacramento 1
- Elkhorn Boat Launch Facility · Tule Canal
Santa Cruz 1
Santa Rosa 1
- End of Mark West Creek Kayaking Run · Mark West Creek
California rules to know
Kayak & canoe launches by city in California
Illustration 
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 rulesKayak & canoe launches in California: questions and answers
Where are the kayak launches in California?
We list 12 kayak launches in California, most of them around Midpines (2).
Which lakes and rivers have kayak launches in California?
Among others Merced River, Stanislaus River, Silverwood Lake, Vasona Reservoir and Uvas Reservoir.
Do kayaks need to be registered in California?
Rules differ by state. California may not register paddle craft, but state parks or wildlife areas can still require a launch permit or parking fee.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak in California?
Yes. Federal rules require a wearable, Coast Guard approved life jacket for every person on a kayak or canoe, and children under 13 must wear it unless the state sets another age.
Are there free kayak launches in California?
4 of the 12 are marked free in the map data, including Knights Ferry Recreation Area Boat Ramp, Eden landing Kayak Launch and Kayak/Paddle Board Launch.
Other states
- New York 211
- Michigan 136
- North Carolina 105
- Pennsylvania 94
- Maine 85
- Massachusetts 64
- Florida 62
- Tennessee 57
- Minnesota 56
- Wisconsin 49
- Illinois 46
- Iowa 44
Guide: How to launch a kayak or canoe · All boat ramps in California