Boat Ramps Nearby
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 North Dakota
37 launches in 20 cities.
The cities with the most launches are Bismarck (5), Fargo (5) and Linton (4). See them on the map
Boating in North Dakota: who to ask
- Public access sites: North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- Boater education: Youths aged 12 to 15 must pass the Boat North Dakota course before operating a boat or personal watercraft with a motor of 10 hp or more on their own. North Dakota details
Taken from official state pages (October 2026). Rules change, so confirm before you go. More: boating license by state.
Lakes and rivers in North Dakota
North Dakota boat access in numbers
| Boat ramps | 34 |
|---|---|
| Kayak and canoe launches | 2 |
| Fishing piers and access | 1 |
| Marked free | 6 |
Lakes, rivers and bays near these launches: Missouri River, Red River of the North, Beaver Creek, Souris River, Casselton Reservoir, Lake Renwick, Wilson Dam, Devils Lake.
All launches on Missouri River, Red River of the North, Beaver Creek.
North Dakota rules to know
- Youths aged 12 to 15 must pass the Boat North Dakota course before operating a boat or personal watercraft with a motor of 10 hp or more on their own.
State agency for public boat access: North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Heading out in North Dakota? launching a boat, ramp etiquette and launch fees.
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 rulesBoat ramps by city
- Bismarck5
- Fargo5
- Linton4
- Garrison3
- Lincoln3
- Lisbon2
- New Town2
- Burlington1
- Casselton1
- Cavalier1
- Ellendale1
- Fort Totten1
- Fort Yates1
- Grafton1
- Grand Forks1
- Hettinger1
- Minot1
- Oakes1
- Park River1
- Williston1
Boat ramps in North Dakota: questions and answers
How many public boat ramps and launches are in North Dakota?
We list 37 launches in 20 cities across North Dakota.
Which lakes and rivers in North Dakota have the most boat ramps?
On our map: Missouri River (6), Red River of the North (5), Beaver Creek (3), Souris River (2), Casselton Reservoir (1) and Lake Renwick (1). Plenty of North Dakota waters have only one public launch.
Are boat ramps in North Dakota free?
6 of the 37 launches in North Dakota are marked free in the map data. Most others in North Dakota have no fee information, and state parks and Corps of Engineers lakes usually charge a day-use fee.
Where can you launch a kayak in North Dakota?
We list 2 kayak and canoe launches in North Dakota, for example Talbott Court Canoe launch in Burlington and East Side Estates Canoe Launch in Minot.
Where are the fishing piers in North Dakota?
1 fishing piers and fishing access sites, including Eckroth Corner in Lincoln.
Do you need a boating license in North Dakota?
Youths aged 12 to 15 must pass the Boat North Dakota course before operating a boat or personal watercraft with a motor of 10 hp or more on their own. Most boater education cards never expire.
Who manages public boat ramps in North Dakota?
Many ramps belong to cities, counties and parks, while the state's network of public access sites is run by North Dakota Game and Fish Department. For North Dakota access site rules, the agency's website is the place to look.