Boat Ramps In Orange County: Open Or Closed?

If you're looking to get out on the water in Orange County, you're in luck! There are plenty of boat ramps and marinas across the county that offer access to the water for boating and other aquatic activities. Whether you're an experienced boater or a beginner, there are options available for you to enjoy the great outdoors. From yacht clubs to public boat ramps, Orange County has a variety of facilities to cater to your boating needs. So get ready to cast off and explore the beautiful waterways of the county.

Boating facilities in Orange County, California

There are a variety of boating facilities in Orange County, California, catering to a range of boating needs. These facilities include yacht clubs, marinas, boat ramps, and repair services.

For yacht enthusiasts, there are several yacht clubs in the county, including the American Legion Yacht Club, the Balboa Yacht Club, the Dana Point Yacht Club, and the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, among others. These clubs offer a range of services and facilities for yacht owners and enthusiasts, such as docking, storage, and social activities.

In terms of marinas, boaters can choose from options like the Balboa Marina, operated by the California Recreation Company, the Huntington Harbor Marina, and the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, to name a few. These marinas offer various services such as boat launches, dry storage, and boat repair facilities.

For those looking to launch their boats, there are several boat ramps available in Orange County. The Dana Point Harbor, for example, offers a 15-lane boat launch ramp that can accommodate both boats and Jet Skis. Additionally, the Huntington Beach Boat Ramp and the Newport Dunes Launch Ramp provide convenient access to the water for boaters.

Orange County also boasts a range of boat repair and maintenance services. Many marinas have complete boat repair facilities, and there are also authorized dealers and service providers like The Boat House of Anaheim, which offers sales and services for various boat brands.

Overall, Orange County, California, is well-equipped to serve the needs of boaters in the area, with a variety of yacht clubs, marinas, boat ramps, and other boating facilities readily available.

Boat launch sites in Orange County, New York

There are several boat launch sites in Orange County, New York, offering access to the area's lakes, rivers, and ponds. Here is a list of some of the top boat launch sites in the region:

Sterling Forest State Park

Sterling Forest State Park offers multiple launch sites for electric motors only. A permit and sticker are required and are available from the park manager. One site accommodates 15 cars and trailers, while another larger site can hold up to 36 cars and trailers. The park is located at 41.168729°N, 74.262520°W.

Kowawese Unique Area

Kowawese Unique Area provides access to the Hudson River and features amenities such as restrooms. It can accommodate up to 45 cars and trailers. This launch site is located at 41.462375°N, 74.012806°W.

Mine Dock Park

Mine Dock Park is another option for accessing the Hudson River. It is situated at 41.327386°N, 73.984522°W and can accommodate 36 cars and trailers.

Harriman State Park

Harriman State Park offers multiple launch sites around the park, with most sites accommodating 10 cars. These sites allow electric motors only and require a permit from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. One site, located on Tiorati Brook Road, requires a permit and key. Another site on Seven Lakes Drive has a parking capacity of 100 cars. Harriman State Park's various launch sites are positioned at the following coordinates:

• 41.260296°N, 74.140684°W
• 41.242984°N, 74.101711°W
• 41.234198°N, 74.116299°W
• 41.295374°N, 74.059520°W
• 41.241777°N, 74.102360°W
• 41.262309°N, 74.085175°W
• 41.306852°N, 74.225270°W

Blue Lake

Located 200 ft north of IBM County Rte.84, this launch site offers parking for 10 cars. Electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-5907 (OPRHP).

Delaware River

There are two launch sites for the Delaware River in Orange County. The Narrowsburg Access Area at the intersection of Rte. 97 and Rte.652 can accommodate 30 cars and trailers. The Barryville Bridge Access Site in the Town of Deerpark at the intersection of Rte. 97 and Rte.55 has parking for 15 cars and trailers.

Hudson River

The Hudson River launch site, located off Rte. 9W and east on Washington Street, offers parking for 36 cars and trailers.

Island Pond

This launch site is located in Harriman State Park on Arden Valley Road, 8 miles north of Sloatsburg. It accommodates 10 cars and requires a permit and key from the park manager at Tiorati Park. Electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Lake Kanawauke

Located in Harriman State Park, this launch site is situated on Route 210, 1500 ft west of Seven Lakes Drive. It offers parking for 10 cars and requires a permit from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Lake Silvermine

Lake Silvermine's launch site is found in Harriman State Park on Seven Lakes Drive, 4 miles south of Route 6. It provides parking for 100 cars and requires a permit from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Lake Skannatati

This launch site is also within Harriman State Park, accessible via Seven Lakes Drive, 8 miles north of Sloatsburg. It accommodates 10 cars and requires a permit from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Lake Stahahe

Located in Harriman State Park, the Lake Stahahe launch site is situated on Rte. 106, 1 mile east of the NYS Thruway. It offers parking for 8 cars and permits electric motors only. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Lake Tiorati

Lake Tiorati's launch site is found in Harriman State Park on Tiorati Brook Road, 4 miles west of the Palisades Interstate Parkway. It accommodates 10 cars and requires an electric motor. A permit and key are available from the park manager. Contact: 845-351-2568 (OPRHP).

Walton Lake

The launch site for Walton Lake is on Lakes Road (County Rte. 5), 2 miles southwest of the Village of Monroe. It offers parking for 7 cars and permits electric motors only. Trailer launching is prohibited.

Electric motors and permits

Electric motors are permitted at several of the boat launch sites in Orange County, New York, but some sites do not allow the use of trailered boats for launching. At these locations, boats must be hand-carried to the water or pushed on and off their trailers at the water's edge.

For those sites that do permit electric motors, a valid NYS fishing license and a permit are typically required. These can be obtained from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. In some cases, a key is also required from the park manager.

It is important to note that invasive species may be present in the waters of Orange County. Some of the confirmed invasive species include Eurasian Watermilfoil, Water Chestnut, Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, and Asian Clam.

When using electric motors in Orange County, it is essential to follow all regulations and obtain the necessary permits and licenses from the appropriate authorities, such as the park manager or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

Trailer launches

If you're looking to launch your boat using a trailer in Orange County, New York, there are several options available. Here are some detailed instructions for trailer launches in the area:

• Sterling Forest State Park: This launch site offers an unimproved trailer launch. A permit and sticker are required and can be obtained from the park manager. The coordinates for this site are 41.168729°N, 74.262520°W. It can accommodate 15 cars and trailers.
• Kowawese Unique Area: This site also has an unimproved trailer launch. It offers amenities such as restrooms. Invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, Water Chestnut, Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, and Asian Clam are present. The coordinates are 41.462375°N, 74.012806°W.
• Mine Dock Park: Located at 41.327386°N, 73.984522°W, this site also features an unimproved trailer launch. Similar to the previous site, it can accommodate 15 cars and trailers. The same invasive species are also present here.
• Harriman State Park: There are several launch sites within Harriman State Park that allow trailer launches. The coordinates for these sites are:

• 41.260296°N, 74.140684°W: This site requires a permit and key from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Electric motors only. A valid NYS fishing license is also required.
• 41.242984°N, 74.101711°W: Electric motors only. A permit is required from the park manager at Tiorati Beach.
• 41.234198°N, 74.116299°W: Electric motors only. Permit required from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Invasive species like Fanwort, Variable Leaf Milfoil, and Eurasian Watermilfoil are present.
• 41.295374°N, 74.059520°W: Electric motors only. Permit required from the park manager at Tiorati Beach.
• 41.241777°N, 74.102360°W: Electric motors only. Permit required from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Fanwort and Variable Leaf Milfoil are present.
• 41.262309°N, 74.085175°W: Electric motors only. Permit and key are required from the park manager at Tiorati Beach. Fanwort and Variable Leaf Milfoil are also present at this site.

Please note that some sites have restrictions on trailer launching and invasive species, so be sure to follow the regulations for each location.

Invasive species

In Orange County, California, there are several invasive plant species that are causing harm to the diverse biomes found in the region, including grasslands, coastal scrub, and wetlands. One example is the Centaurea solstitialis, or yellow starthistle, which is a member of the sunflower family. This plant was accidentally introduced to California through contaminated seed and has since spread rapidly, with its population growing from 1 million to 12 million plants in just 20 years. Other examples of invasive plants in Orange County include the Brassica nigra, or black mustard, which produces allelopathic chemicals that prevent other plants from growing around them, and the Salsola tragus, or Russian thistle, a type of tumbleweed that disperses its seeds in the wind. Russian thistles prefer sandy, saline soil and are often found in the wetlands of Huntington Beach, where they can damage crops and cause illness or death in grazing livestock.

To address the issue of invasive species in Orange County, there are ongoing efforts to restore and preserve native habitats. Organizations such as the California Invasive Plant Council and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy are working to remove and control invasive weeds and restore native plant communities. Additionally, individuals can help by planting more native plants in their gardens or lawns, which can also have the added benefit of reducing watering costs, as native California plants are adapted for drought resistance.

• Genista monspessulana (French Broom) – 1.00
• Brassica fruticulosa (Mediterranean Cabbage) – 1.14
• Galenia pubescens (Coastal Galenia) – 1.31
• Cenchrus longispinus (Mat Sandbur) – 1.64
• Osteospermum calendulaceum (Stinking Roger) – 1.64
• Cenchrus echinatus (Southern Sandbur) – 1.71
• Volutaria tubuliflora (Egyptian Knapweed) – 1.86
• Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera (Bitou Bush) – 2.00
• Hypericum canariense (Canary Island St. John’s Wort) – 2.36
• Senecio angustifolius – 2.36
• Centaurea diluta (North African Knapweed) – 2.50
• Parthenium hysterophorus (Santa Maria Feverfew) – 2.57
• Dipogon lignosus (Okie Bean) – 2.64
• Euphorbia terracina (Geraldton Carnation Weed) – 2.64
• Centaurea solstitialis (Yellow Star Thistle) – 2.71
• Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan Blackberry) – 2.71

Frequently asked questions