Rhode Island Public Boat Launching Sites
Public boating access sites are designated launch points for boats, kayaks, and canoes, ranging from large state-run ramps with parking for trailers to smaller, hand-launch-only spots, often found near rivers, ponds, and coastal areas. Be aware of boating safety rules, and before you grab your poles and hit the water, make sure to purchase your recreational fishing license!
Freshwater Boat Ramps
(S)= State-owned & operated, (T)= Town/City-owned & operated, (A)= Handicapped accessible
TOWN |
LOCATION |
HP RESTRICTION |
PARKING |
|---|---|---|---|
Burrillville |
Clear River access to Harrisville Pond, Rt. 100 from Chepachet to Rt. 98 to Harrisville, site is ¼ mile north of Harrisville Village on left. Cement slab ramp (S) State-owned & operated |
None | Yes |
| Union Pond 8 acres. Rt. 44 to Rt. 100, left on Reservoir Rd. (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes | |
| Spring Lake 96 acres. Rt. 102 to Joslin Rd., to Spring Lake Rd., to Blackhut Rd., access site on the right. Cement slab. (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes | |
| Wakefield Pond 72 acres. Rt. 100 N., to left on Wakefield Pond Rd., to left on Lee Circle, to top of hill, a right to bottom of hill, take left. Ramp is on right. (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit unless special permit from F&W | Yes | |
| Wilson Reservoir 127 acres. Rte. 100 from Chepachet to Wallum Lake Rd., left ½ mile on East Wallum Lake Rd. (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit unless special permit from F&W | Yes | |
Charlestown |
Watchaug Pond Rte 1 S., Charlestown, to exit for Burlingame State Park & Picnic Area ( Prosser Trail) to left onto Sanctuary Rd. There is a sign for the park. Follow Sanctuary Rd. past Burlingame State Park and Picnic Area where it turns into a dirt road, ramp is on the right. (A) Handicapped Accessible |
none | Yes |
Cranston |
John L. Curran Public Fishing Area 38 acres. Fiskville Reservoir. Rt. 295 N to Scituate Ave., west to Seven Mile Rd. pond on left (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit | Yes |
Coventry |
Carbuncle Pond 48 acres. Rt. 102 to Rt. 14, 4.5 miles on Rte. 14, sign and road on left. (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
| Tiogue Lake 215 acres Glen Drive Ramp - Arnold Rd. to Crestwood Rd., take a left onto North Glen Dr., follow to end. (S) State-owned & operated |
None | limited | |
| Tiogue Lake 215 acres - off Rt. 3 (T) Town/City-owned & operated |
None | limited | |
| Zeke's Bridge access to Big River and portions of Johnson's Pond. Rt. 3 to Harkney Hill Rd., 2 miles on right. Cement slab (S) State-owned & operated |
None | Yes | |
Exeter |
Breakheart Pond 33 acres. In Arcadia Management Area. Rt. 3, to Rt. 165, to Frosty Hollow Rd., to Austin Farm Rd., ¼ mile. Gravel ramp. | 10 HP limit | Yes |
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Beach Pond 340 acres. | none | Yes |
Foster |
Shippee Saw Mill Pond Rt. 6 to Rt. 94 North, left to Willoughby Young Rd., | Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
Glocester |
Bowdish Reservoir 126 acres. Rt. 44, Glocester, to George Washington Camp Ground entrance, 3rd left to boat ramp. Concrete slab. *Parking reservations are required from the second Friday in April through Oct. 31 for non-camping boaters who wish to park and launch a vessel at this boat ramp due to its location at the George Washington State Campground. Submit a permit application | 10 HP limit | Yes |
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Clarkville Pond Rte. 44 Glocester to Richardson clearing trail, to Cold Spring Trail, first left off cold spring trail. (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
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Keech Pond 129 acres. Rt. 44 Glocester to Chestnut Hill Rd., to Indian Trail, to end, ramp on left. | 10 HP limit | Yes |
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Lake Washington 42 acres. Rt. 44 to Lake Washington Dr. | Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
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Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake) 352 acres Rt. 44 West to Jackson School House Rd., North, site is ½ mile on the right. (S) State-owned & operated (A) Handicapped Accessible |
10 HP limit from Saturday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day unless special permit from F&W. | Yes |
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Smith & Sayles Reservoir 186 acres. Rt. 44 Glocester to Chestnut Hill Rd., to Sand Dam Rd. (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit | Yes |
Hopkinton |
Alton Landing access to Wood River and Alton Pond Rt. 95, to Rt. 138, to Hope Valley Rd., to Rt. 91, ¾ miles on right. (S) State-owned & operated |
No motors | Yes |
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Ashville Pond 32 acres. Rt. 95 to Rt. 3, to Canochet Rd., 1¾ miles on left. (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit | Yes |
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Locustville Pond 83 acres. Rt. 95 S to Rt. 138, right onto Bank St., to Fairview Ave., entrance to lot and ramp on left, bear to the right of fork. Gravel ramp. (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit | Yes |
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Mechanic's Street Access Site Rt. 95 S to Rt. 3, to Mechanic St., site at bottom of hill on let, canoes and small car-top boats. Access to Wood River provided. (S) State-owned & operated |
None | limited |
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Moscow Pond 18 acres. Rt. 95 S to Rt. 138 W, to Woody Hill Rd., car-top boats, unimproved ramp. (S) State-owned & operated |
None | limited |
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Wood River AccessGrantvill, Hope Valley Rd. (S) State-owned & operated |
None | limited |
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Blue Pone Rt. 95S to Rt. 3, to Canochet Rd., and walk in. Canoe Launching (S) State-owned & operated |
None | limited |
Lincoln |
Olney Pond 126 acres. Lincoln Woods State Park. Rte 95N, to Rt 146. 3½ miles to State Park. (S) State-owned & operated |
All power boats prohibited on Sat., Sun. & Holidays 6/5 thru 9/15 | Yes |
North Kingstown |
Silver Spring Lake 10 acres. Directly off Tower Hill Rd. at junction Rt. 1 and Rt. 4 (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
North Smithfield |
Upper Slatersville Reservoir 147 acres. Rt. 295 N, to Rt. 7 N, to Rt. 102 N., approx. 1¼ mile on right. Slab ramp (S) State-owned & operated |
none | Yes |
Smithfield |
Woonasquatucket Reservoir (Stump Pond) 304 acres. Rt.5 to Log Road (S) State-owned & operated. Slab ramp (S) State-owned & operated |
10 HP limit | Yes |
Portsmouth |
Melville Public Fishing Area 6 acres. Mostly shore fishing Off Rt. 114, car-top launching (T) Town/City-owned & operated (S) State-owned & operated |
none | Yes |
Richmond |
Access to Pawcatuck River Biscuit City Landing at Biscuit City Rd., Rt. 2 S., approx. 5 miles past the Rt. 138 intersection turn left onto Biscuit City Rd. (S) State-owned & operated (Gravel ramp) Richmond Landing to Pawcatuck River, Rt. 95 to Rt. 138 E. to Re 112, to Rt. 91, 2 miles on left side near bridge. (S) State-owned & operated |
none | Yes |
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Wyoming Pond 26 acres. Rt.95 to Rt. 138W., site just past intersection of Rts 3 and 138 on the right. NOTICE: The Wyoming Upper Reservoir Dam is scheduled to receive much-needed repairs. Construction work is expected to include closure of the parking lot and limited access to the boat launch (cartop boats carried in/out only; no fishing access) starting on or around June 30, 2021. Paddlers may want to consider using the Skunk Hill Road access point to the Wood River for put-in/take-out. DEM expects the work to last through Spring 2022. (S) State-owned & operated. Gravel ramp |
none | Yes |
Scituate |
Upper Pawtuxet River, Hope Landing access Rt.116 to Hope Furnace Rd. (S) State-owned & operated |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
South Kingstown |
Indian Lake 199 acres. Off Tower Hill Rd. (Rt.1) (S) State-owned & operated (A) Handicapped Accessible |
10 HP limit | Yes |
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Barber Pond 28 acres. Rt.102 to Rt. 2 S., about 7 miles on right. (S) State-owned & operated Gravel ramp |
Electric trolling motors only | Yes |
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Taylor's Landing to Chepuxet River, Rt. 4 to Rt. 138 E., 6 miles to Liberty Lane, West Kingston. Mainly canoes and small boats (S) State-owned & operated. |
none | Yes |
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Tucker Pond 101 acres. Rt.138 to Rt. 110, to Tuckertown Rd., left about ½ mile (S) State-owned & operated. Cement slab |
10 HP limit | Yes |
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Worden's Pond 1043 acres. Rt. 138 to Rt. 110 to Worden's Pond Rd., take right ½ mile on north side (S) State-owned & operated. Cement Slab ramp |
none | Yes |
Tiverton |
Stafford Pond 476 acres. Rt. 24 E. to Fish Road S., to Bulgarmarsh Rd., take left on Rt. 81 (Stafford Pond Rd.), access on left (S) State-owned & operated. Slab ramp |
10HP limit unless special permit from F&W | Yes |
Warwick |
Potowomut Pond 17 acres. Rt.1 to Essex Ave., to Potowomut Rd., site on left (S) State-owned & operated. |
none | Yes |
Westerly |
Bradford Landing on Pawcatuck River, Rt.95 Rockville Alton Rd., to Rt. 91, 3 miles on left (S) State-owned & operated. |
none | Yes |
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Chapman's Pond (Burden's) 164 acres. Rt. 95 to Rockville Alton Rd., to Rt. 91, to Westerly Bradford Rd., approx. 2½ miles on left, (S) State-owned & operated. Cement slab ramp |
10 HP limit | Yes |
West Greenwich |
Big River Landing off Weaver Hill Rd. Rt. 95 to Weaver Hill Rd., turn right, ¼ mile on the right, stay to the right, ½ mile on dirt road. (S) State-owned & operated. |
none | Yes |
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Tarbox Pond 15 acres. Rt. 95 to Rt. 3, to Division Road, to Hopkins Hill Rd., south of the New London Turnpike (S) State-owned & operated. |
none | Yes |
Saltwater Boat Ramps
Please see the eregulations website for the latest map of saltwater boating access sites. Below is a list of locations and brief descriptions. When using these boating access sites, please be respectful of other users, properly dispose of all trash, and follow Size, Seasons, & Possession Limits.
TOWN |
SITE # |
DESCRIPTION |
DEPTH AT MLW |
|---|---|---|---|
Westerly |
1 | Main Street: Main St., concrete slab ramp | 4 ft. |
Charlestown |
2 | Quonochontaug Breachway: Off West Beach Rd., concrete plank ramp | 3 ft. |
| 3 | Charlestown Breachway:West end of Charlestown Beach Rd., linked concrete slabs | 3 ft. | |
| 4 | Charlestown: Off of Charlestown Beach Rd. Natural Shoreline, gravel base | N/A | |
Narragansett |
5 | Galilee: Corner of Galilee Rd., and Great Island Rd., southeast side of Great Island Bridge. Linked concrete planks – double ramp | 4 ft. |
| 6 | Monahan’s Dock: East Side of Ocean Rd., at South Pier Rd., concrete – steep drop | 3-4 ft. | |
South Kingstown |
7 | Narrow River: Off Middlebridge Rd. on Pollock Ave., concrete planks | 3 ft. |
| 8 | Marina Park: Route 1., concrete slabs | N/A | |
Newport |
9 | Fort Adams: Off Harriston Ave. | 3 ft. |
Middletown |
10 |
Third Beach: Concrete ramp. Parking fee when beach is open
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N/A |
Little Compton |
11 | Sakonnet Point: Sakonnet Point Rd. (Rt. 77). North side of Town Landing Rd., linked concrete planks | 2 ft |
North Kingstown |
12 | Wilson Park: East end of Intrepid Dr., off Post Rd., Rt. 1, near fire station. Linked concrete plank – moderately steep | 3 ft |
Tiverton |
13 | Fogland: End of Fogland Rd., at High Hill Rd. Linked concrete planks | N/A |
| 14 | Sakonnet River Bridge: Underneath new Sakonnet bridge., off Riverside Dr. concrete planks, strong currents | N/A | |
Portsmouth |
15 | Weaver Cove: On Burma Rd. South of Melville complex. Concrete slabs | 4 ft |
| 16 | Gull Cove: Accessed via turnoff from RI 138 E/24 E. Linked concrete planks | 2 ft | |
| 17 | Stone Bridge: Off Rte. 138 at junction of Park Ave and Point Rd., at Teddy’s Beach | 3 ft | |
Prudence Island |
18 | Homestead: Off Narragansett Ave., north of Prudence Variety | N/A |
East Greenwich |
19 | Greenwich Cove: Pole #6, Crompton Ave. Concrete slab | N/A |
Warwick |
19 |
Goddard Memorial State Park: Paved parking lot. Ramp is fully-accessible.
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N/A |
| 20 | Oakland Beach: Warwick Cove. Oakland Beach Ave. Take last left. East side of Oakland Beach. Concrete ramp | <4 ft | |
Bristol |
21 | Independence Park: At the foot of Church St., off of Rt. 114. Linked concrete slab | N/A |
| 22 | Colt State Park: Off of Hope St. (Rt. 114), concrete ramp | 4 ft | |
| 23 | Annawanscutt: Annawanscutt Dr., off Metacom Ave. (Rt. 136), past Veteran’s Home. Linked concrete planks | >2 ft | |
Warren |
24 | Warren: West side of Water St., at Wheaton St., cement slab | N/A |
Barrington |
25 | Haines Memorial Park: On Bullock’s Cove, off Metropolitan Park Dr. concrete slab (A) Handicapped Accessible |
4 ft. |
East Providence |
26 | Sabin Point: Off Bulluck’s Point Ave. Hard packed Sand | N/A |
| 27 | Bold Point: Off Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy., via Mauran Ave. at the end of Pier Rd. Concrete slab | 4 ft. | |
Providence |
28 | Gano Park: End of of East Transit St. Concrete slab | N/A |
Pawtucket |
29 | Festival Pier: End of Tim Healey Way, off of School St. (Rt. 114). Concrete slab | N/A |
| 30 | Pawtucket: East side of Taft St., just south of Rt. 95 bridge. Linked concrete planks | N/A | |
| * Please note that some boating access sites may require a permit or fee for parking and/or use. N/A= Information not available |
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