Boat Ramps In Ohio: Open Or Closed?

If you're looking for a place to launch your boat in Ohio, there are plenty of options. The state has numerous public and private boat ramps and launches, with trailer access, for you to choose from. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission's boat ramps, for instance, are open from the first weekend in May to the first weekend in November, depending on river and weather conditions. In Lake Erie, there are several public boat ramps, including the Black River Wharf Boat Launch in Lorain, the Edgewater Park Boat Launch in Cleveland, and the Miller Park Boat Launch in Avon Lake.

Boat ramps in Cincinnati, Ohio

The boat ramps in Cincinnati, Ohio, are open from the first weekend in May to the first weekend in November. However, their use is subject to river and weather conditions. Here is a list of boat ramps and marinas in Cincinnati, Ohio:

• Aces Marina: Located at 109 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226.
• Advanced Marina: Located at 298 Lower River Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45204.
• California Yacht Club: Located at 5799 Panama St, Cincinnati, OH, 45228.
• Four Seasons Marina: Located about 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati on Kellogg Ave. It is a "stillwater" marina with in-water covered and open slips, a fuel dock, a restaurant, and an outside bar. There is no ramp.
• Rivertowne Marina: Located about 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati on Kellogg Ave. It is a "stillwater" marina with in-water covered and open slips, a fuel dock, a restaurant, dry rack in/out storage, and a ramp for members only.
• Riverside Public Boat Ramp: Run by the City of Cincinnati, it is located off River Road, about 4 miles west of downtown Cincinnati. It is directly on the Ohio River.
• Schmidt Field Public Boat Ramp: Run by the City of Cincinnati, it is located 2 miles east of downtown Cincinnati off River Road. It has ample parking, a concession stand, ball fields, and ramps open to the public for a fee. It is directly on the Ohio River at mile marker 466.5.
• Shelter Cove Marina: Located about 12 miles east of downtown Cincinnati off Kellogg Ave. on the Little Miami River, just off the Ohio River. It has a ramp open to the public for a fee, a travelift for large vessels, and in/out service on owners' trailers.

In addition to the above, there are several marinas near Cincinnati, Ohio, including:

• Anchor Cove Marina: Located about 15 miles west of downtown Cincinnati on Gracely Drive, just off River Road. It is a "stillwater" marina on Muddy Creek, off the Ohio River. It offers in-water slips and in/out service on owners' trailers.
• Mariner's Landing: Located about 14 miles west of downtown Cincinnati on River Road. It offers in-water slips directly on the Ohio River and fuel, with in/out service on owners' trailers.
• Manhattan Landing: Located in Dayton, KY, just across from Schmidt Fields. It is about 2 miles east of I-471 on Route 8. It is a "stillwater" marina at mile marker 466, with fuel docks (gas and diesel), in-water slips, a restaurant, an outside bar, and a travelift for large vessels. It offers in/out service on owners' trailers.
• Washington Marina: Located about 16 miles east of downtown Cincinnati on Kellogg Ave, one mile east of I-275, at mile marker 460. It offers in/out service on owners' trailers, a ramp open to the public for a fee, and a travelift for large vessels.

Boat ramps in Cleveland, Ohio

In 2019, Cleveland Metroparks started charging a daily fee for trailered boats to use its four Lake Erie boat ramps: Edgewater, Gordon and Wildwood parks, and the Rocky River Reservation. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards can be launched for free.

• Edgewater Boat Launch, Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, OH 44102
• Gordon Park, 72nd St. Boat Ramp, 72 East St, Cleveland, OH 44103
• Wildwood Boat Ramp, Neff Road, 16975 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44119
• East 55th Street Marina, North Marginal Road & East 55th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
• Cleveland Lakefront State Park, Edgewater Park Ramp, just north of West Blvd and Edgewater Dr, Cleveland, OH
• Cleveland Lakefront State Park, Gordon Ramp, N Marginal Rd, Cleveland, OH
• Cleveland Yacht Club, 200 Yacht Club Dr, Rocky River, OH 44116
• Channel Park Marina, 5300 Whiskey Island, Cleveland, OH 44102
• Fairport Harbor Port Authority Boat Launch, 220 3rd Street, Fairport Harbor, OH 44077

There are also several boat ramps in the Cleveland area:

• Lorain Public Boat Ramp, First Street at Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, OH
• Lakeside Landing, Alabama Avenue, west of Lakeside Avenue, Lorain, OH
• Sheffield Lake Community Park, Lake Road at Lake Breeze Road, Sheffield Lake, OH
• Miller Road Park, 33760 Miller Road, Avon Lake, OH
• Rocky River Reservation, 1500 Cleveland Metro Park Drive, Lakewood, OH
• Gordon Park, 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH
• Wildwood Park, Lakeshore Boulevard at East 174th Street, Cleveland, OH

Boat ramps in Lorain, Ohio

Lorain, Ohio, is home to a few boat ramps, including the following:

Black River Wharf Boat Launch

Located at 1355 Black River Parkway, the Black River Wharf Boat Launch is a great destination for boating, fishing, and kayaking. The site offers beautiful views of the Black River and features a sizable pavilion with several picnic tables. The entrance to the site is easily accessible from the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway Avenue, and it offers a large parking lot with 170 spaces that can accommodate larger trucks hauling boats and gear. Season passes are available for purchase online or at the Oasis Marinas office during business hours.

Lorain Public Boat Launch - "Hot Waters"

The Lorain Public Boat Launch, also known as "Hot Waters," is located at 1104 W 1st St in Lorain, Ohio. This nearly 2-acre site provides six ramps and three parking lots for direct Lake Erie boating access. Three of the ramps are dedicated to launching vessels up to 24 feet, while the other three are for boat recovery. Smaller watercraft can be launched as well, though they may be restricted to the shallowest ramp during busy days. The site also offers fishing access, a bait and tackle store, and restrooms during the boating season. This boat launch is Lorain's oldest and is known as "Hot Waters" due to its location between a former power plant's warm water discharge and the former ore docks.

Beaver Park Marina

The Beaver Park Marina is another boat ramp option in Lorain, Ohio, located at 6101 W Erie Ave.

Copper Kettle Marine

Copper Kettle Marine, located at 5823 West Erie Avenue, is another boat ramp facility in Lorain, Ohio, offering access to Lake Erie.

Dickason Marina

Dickason Marina, situated at 3963 Oak Point Rd, is another boat ramp option in Lorain, Ohio, providing access to the waters of Lake Erie.

Boat ramps in Sheffield Lake, Ohio

Sheffield Lake in Ohio has a boat launch located at the west end of the city at the intersection of Lake Road and Lake Breeze. It is one of the few communities that does not charge a fee to use the launch. The nearly 3.5-acre Sheffield Lake Community Park is located on Lake Road (US-6) at Lake Breeze Road.

In 2008, several amenities were added to enhance public access to the water, including a two-lane boat launch for vessels up to 30 feet, temporary tie-ups, a concrete-paved boardwalk, and a concrete sidewalk atop an L-shaped breakwater. The boardwalk and breakwater walkway are handicapped-accessible and provide fishing access.

Additional amenities include stationary binoculars, picnic tables, and benches overlooking Lake Erie. A beach extends east of the breakwater, where swimming is permitted. Overnight parking for vehicles and trailers is available at the park, with overflow parking located south of Lake Road.

The boat ramp is also accessible via the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Trail, which follows US-6 in Lorain County.

Boat ramps in Avon Lake, Ohio

There are several boat ramps in Avon Lake, Ohio, for boating and fishing enthusiasts to choose from. One of the most popular spots is the Boat Launch and Fishing Pier in Miller Park, located at 33760 Lake Road. The boat launch is open from April through October, weather permitting, and is staffed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the season. Launch access is available 24/7, and the fishing pier is always open. There is a $5 fee per launch, and season passes are also available for $50.

Another option in Avon Lake is the Avon Lake Boat Club, which is also listed as a boat ramp facility in Ohio.

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