Boat Ramps Nearby

Boat ramps in Washington

607 launches in 181 cities.

The cities with the most launches are Seattle (24), Quincy (14) and Tonasket (12). See them on the map

Boating in Washington: who to ask

Source: the state agencies linked above, October 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you go. More: boating license by state.

Lakes and rivers in Washington

Washington boat access in numbers

Illustration: a public boat ramp with a floating dock on a wide river
Illustration of a typical launch on a river, not a photo from Washington
Boat ramps565
Kayak and canoe launches36
Fishing piers and access20
Marked free52

Water you can reach from here: Columbia River, Snake River, Yakima River, Sammamish River, East Fork Lewis River, Skagit River, Lewis River, Lake Washington.

All launches on Snake River, Columbia River, Columbia River, Yakima River, Sammamish River, East Fork Lewis River, Skagit River, Banks Lake.

Washington rules to know

Official access sites and closures: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

New to the ramps in Washington? launching a boat, ramp etiquette and launch fees.

Boat ramps by city

Boat ramps in Washington: questions and answers

How many public boat ramps and launches are in Washington?

We list 607 launches in 181 cities across Washington.

Which lakes and rivers in Washington have the most boat ramps?

On our map: Columbia River (37), Snake River (18), Yakima River (15), Sammamish River (7), East Fork Lewis River (6) and Skagit River (6). Smaller lakes in Washington often have just one ramp.

Are boat ramps in Washington free?

52 of the 607 launches in Washington are marked free in the map data. For the rest of Washington we have no fee data, so check the signs.

Where can you launch a kayak in Washington?

We list 36 kayak and canoe launches in Washington, for example Merwin Kayak-Canoe Launch in Amboy, Kayak Landing in Anacortes in Anacortes, Botts Boat Launch in Asotin and Fletcher Landing in Bainbridge Island.

Where are the fishing piers in Washington?

20 fishing piers and fishing access sites, including Green Timbers Lake in Blaine, Skagit-Baker Confluence in Darrington, Fiorito Pond North in Ellensburg and Fiorito Pond South in Ellensburg.

Do kayaks need to be registered in Washington?

Canoes and kayaks without a motor or sail are exempt from Washington boat registration.

Do you need a boating license in Washington?

Operators 12 or older born after Jan 1, 1955 must carry a Washington Boater Education Card to run a boat with a motor of 15 hp or more. Cards from NASBLA-approved courses are widely accepted across states.

Do boats need an invasive species sticker in Washington?

Boats not registered in Washington need a WDFW aquatic invasive species prevention permit ($24 total, valid one year); canoes and kayaks that need no registration are exempt.

Who manages public boat ramps in Washington?

Many ramps belong to cities, counties and parks, while the state's network of public access sites is run by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Closures in Washington are posted on the agency's site.