Boat Ramps In Rhode Island: Open For Sailing?

There are many boat ramps in Rhode Island, with most of them providing access to the state's lakes, rivers, and waterways for public and private use. Some boat ramps are wheelchair- and handicap-accessible, while others are not. Some boat ramps are also exclusively for launching boats from trailers, while others can be used for canoes and kayaks as well.

Westerly Municipal Boat Ramp

The Westerly Municipal Boat Ramp, also known as the Main Street Boat Ramp, is located in Westerly, Rhode Island. This state-owned boat ramp underwent a major rebuild in 2022 and 2023, replacing the old fixed dock with a floating dock and extending the ramp to prevent deep holes from forming at the end. The site provides access to the Pawcatuck River, near where it transitions from a freshwater river to a tidal estuary. It is important to know the times of high and low tide before using the ramp, as this will influence your trip.

The boat ramp is typically used for launching boats from trailers, but it can also be used to launch canoes and kayaks. However, users are advised to keep the ramp clear for boat trailers and to do their preparation away from the ramp. There is also public access for hand-carried boats about 250 yards upriver at Donahue Park.

The Westerly Municipal Boat Ramp has 34 parking spaces, four of which are for vehicles without trailers. It offers ADA-accessible parking spaces and a handicapped-accessible dock. The hours of operation are from 5 am until half an hour after sunset, and it remains open for fishing and boating outside these hours. Public restrooms are available within walking distance at the police station, which is open 24 hours.

The boat ramp is located on Main Street in Westerly, a quarter of a mile south of Broad Street (Route 1) and across the street from McQuade's Marketplace. Alternative public boat ramps can be found at Barn Island in Stonington, CT, and Quonochontaug in Charlestown.

Stone Bridge Boat Ramp

The Stone Bridge Boat Ramp in Rhode Island is open to the public. This asphalt and pre-cast cement slab boat ramp provides access to the Sakonnet River, near its upper end. The ramp is just north of the abutments of the old stone bridge that used to cross the river.

The Stone Bridge Boat Ramp is a site for launching boats from trailers. While it can also be used to launch canoes and kayaks, users are advised to keep the ramp clear for boat trailers. The site provides access to the Sakonnet River and features a hard surface boat ramp to the north of the old stone bridge and a sandy beach to the south. The channel is narrow and likely to be busy, with strong tides. Heading south from the ramp will quickly take you to the broader, more open waters of the river as it heads towards the ocean. Heading north will lead you under the Sakonnet River Bridge to Mount Hope Bay, but be prepared for strong tidal currents in the narrows.

The southwest wind typically fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows briskly throughout the afternoon, producing strong waves. There is parking available at the site, with 12 spaces, but none are ADA-accessible.

Gano Park Boat Ramp

The Seekonk River is over 1000 feet wide at the boat ramp but still feels river-like. Further north, the river is as wide as half a mile and takes on the character of an estuary. Despite being in an urban area, the Seekonk River has a surprisingly wild feel, with long stretches of wooded shoreline.

The tide and currents can be strong in the river, especially in the narrows south of the boat ramp, so it's important to pay attention to the state of the tide when planning your trip. The boat ramp itself is concrete, and the nearby shoreline is rip-rap, with some sand and gravel where hand-carried boats can be launched at lower tides. There are 17 parking spaces available, but no overnight parking is allowed. Restrooms may be available at Gano Park during the summer months.

Gano Park is a small city park with playing areas for soccer, baseball, and basketball, as well as a community garden.

Haines Memorial State Park Boat Ramp

Haines Memorial State Park, located in Barrington, Rhode Island, offers a wide range of amenities, including a boat ramp providing access to Bullock Cove. The park is situated on the northeastern side of Narragansett Bay, just six miles south of East Providence.

The boat ramp at Haines Memorial State Park is a significant feature of the park, providing access to Bullock Cove, which leads to the lower Providence River and the headwaters of Narragansett Bay. It is a wide, two-lane hard-surfaced boat ramp with floating docks on both sides. The dock on the north side has a wheelchair ramp, ensuring accessibility for all visitors. The boat ramp is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, and there is ample parking available with 87 spaces, including designated ADA-accessible spots.

Bullock Cove itself is a busy area for boat traffic, and beyond the cove, boaters can expect to encounter wind, waves, and additional boat traffic on the open waters of the Providence River and Narragansett Bay. It is important for small boats to stay clear of the shipping channel and keep a lookout for larger vessels passing through. The park's boat ramp is also suitable for launching canoes and kayaks, although it is important to keep the ramp clear for boat trailers.

The park offers a variety of other activities and amenities, including picnicking, play fields, fishing, and a seasonal farmers' market. It is a popular stop on the East Bay Bike Path, which was once a train track providing access to the park from Bristol. The park has a rich history, initially serving as a "wooded retreat" purchased by Dr. George B. Haines in 1909. After his sudden death in 1910, his sister sold the property for one dollar to the Rhode Island Metropolitan Park Commission, fulfilling his wish for the land to be used for parks and parkways.

Olney Pond Boat Ramp

In 2021, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), began making major improvements to the boat ramp. The new ramp features a 12-foot-wide, single-lane concrete ramp with floating docks and a concrete abutment for easier launching and retrieval of vessels. A second T-shaped dock includes an ADA-compliant canoe and kayak launch, providing universal access for paddling enthusiasts. The project also included a newly paved parking area with ADA-designated spaces, including one for trailered vehicles.

Olney Pond is quite scenic, with tree-lined shores, large boulders, rocky outcroppings, small islands, and coves to explore. The park offers various amenities, including picnic areas, a swimming beach, walking trails, playing fields, horseback riding trails, and mountain biking trails. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and recreational activities, attracting over one million visitors each year.

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