Boat Ramps In Ri: Open Or Closed?

are ri boat ramps open

Rhode Island is known for its extensive fishing spots, ranging from the vast Narragansett Bay to the state's shoreline along the Atlantic. The state offers a variety of boat ramps available at many locations. These ramps provide access to different water bodies, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, and the ocean. Some ramps are designed for launching boats from trailers, while others are suitable for canoes, kayaks, and hand-carried boats. It is important for users to follow guidelines and keep the ramps clear for boat trailers where necessary. Additionally, some ramps offer accessible features for individuals with disabilities.

Characteristics Values
Location Rhode Island
Number of Boat Ramps Many
Types of Boats Motor boats, canoes, kayaks, hand-carried boats, car-top vessels, trailered boats
Other Features Trout-stocked, wheelchair- and handicap-accessible, parking available, restrooms available

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Wheelchair- and handicap-accessible boat ramps

There are several wheelchair- and handicap-accessible boat ramps in Rhode Island. Here is a list of some of them:

Haines Memorial State Park

On Bullock's Cove, off Metropolitan Park Drive in Barrington, Rhode Island, this park on the Bay has a wheelchair- and handicap-accessible boat ramp. The park can be contacted at 401-253-7482 for more information.

Fort Wetherill State Park

Located at the southeast end of Ocean Street, off Walcott Avenue (Route 138) in Jamestown, Rhode Island, this state park has a handicapped-accessible boat ramp in the form of a linked concrete plank for car-top vessels only. Chemical toilets are available, and the park can be reached at 401-884-2010.

Main Street Boat Ramp

Located on Main Street, one-quarter mile south of Broad Street (Route 1) and across from McQuade's Marketplace in Westerly, Rhode Island, this boat ramp features a concrete slab with plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. It offers handicap access.

Fort Adams State Park

The boat launch at Fort Adams State Park, located at 80 Fort Adams Drive in Newport, Rhode Island, offers handicap access. To reach the ramp, take the second right off Fort Adams Drive (at the Public Sailing Center lot), then bear right at the beach. The ramp is made of concrete slab, and fishing piers are available. The park can be contacted at 401-847-2400.

Goddard Memorial State Park

Goddard Memorial State Park, located at 1095 Ives Road in Warwick, Rhode Island, offers a concrete ramp that is handicap-accessible. There is plenty of vehicle and trailer parking available, and four feet of depth at mean low water. The park can be reached at 401-884-2010.

Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway

The Quonny Boat Ramp, located at the end of West Beach Road, off Post Road / Route 1 in Charlestown, Rhode Island, offers access to both Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound. This site features a large salt pond with many coves and channels, ideal for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats. It is a popular spot for fishermen, boaters, and day-trippers. The boat ramp has a parking lot with 50 spaces and is wheelchair-accessible.

Corner of Galilee Road and Great Island Road Boat Ramp

Located on the southeast side of the Great Island Bridge in Narragansett, Rhode Island, this boat ramp features linked concrete planks forming a double ramp with parking available. It can be busy on summer weekends and offers handicap access.

Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch

Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch, accessible via Sanctuary Road off Route 1 in Charlestown, Rhode Island, offers a site for launching boats from trailers on the west side of the pond within the state campground. Canoes and kayaks can also be launched here. Motor boats and water skiing are permitted on the pond, but jet skis are not. Parking and restrooms are available.

In addition to the aforementioned sites, there are likely other wheelchair- and handicap-accessible boat ramps in Rhode Island. The state offers a wealth of fishing spots and boat ramps due to its extensive fishing history.

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Boat ramps for canoes and kayaks

Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities in Rhode Island, with many boat ramps catering to small, non-motorised boats. The ExploreRI Mapper provides an interactive map of boat ramps and other points of interest for small boat recreation across the state.

Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park has a concrete ramp set into the gravel lake floor, which is suitable for launching canoes and kayaks. There is a kayaking school nearby, and the pond is stocked with trout several times a year. No motors are allowed on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway provides access to Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound, and is suitable for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats. It is a popular spot for fishermen, boaters, and day-trippers.

The Big River Landing off Weaver Hill Road is another boat ramp suitable for canoes and kayaks. It is located off Route 95, turning right onto Weaver Hill Road, then right again, and along a dirt road for half a mile.

The EZ Kayak Launch is a product designed to provide stability, security, and simplicity for kayaks and canoes. It features paddle notches and an overhead assist bar for added comfort and safety.

The Multinautic Kayak or Canoe Rolling Launching Ramp Kit is another product that offers a safe and easy way to get in or out of a kayak or canoe. The kit includes all the components needed for assembly, except for the lumber, which can be purchased separately.

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Boat ramp locations and directions

Rhode Island has a number of boat ramps available for use at many locations. Here is a list of some of the boat ramps in Rhode Island, along with directions on how to get there.

Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park

Olney Pond has a concrete ramp set into the gravel lake floor. It is for launching boats from trailers, but it may also be used for canoes and kayaks. It is located off Les Pawson Loop Lincoln, RI.

Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch

This boat ramp is located on the west side of Watchaug Pond, within the state campground. It is accessible via Sanctuary Road off Route 1 Charlestown, RI. This ramp can also be used for canoes and kayaks.

Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway

The Quonny Boat Ramp is at the end of West Beach Road, off Post Road/Route 1, Charlestown, RI. This ramp gives access to both Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound. It is a large salt pond with many coves and channels, good for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats.

Main Street, Westerly, RI

On Main Street, one-quarter of a mile south of Broad Street (Route 1) and across from McQuade's Marketplace, is a concrete slab ramp with plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. This ramp is also handicap-accessible.

Putnam Pike (Route 44) Glocester, RI

After the George Washington Campground entrance, take the third left to this concrete slab boat ramp. There is a 10 HP limit, and parking is available.

Wyoming Pond (Wood River)

Wyoming Pond is located off Bridge Street and Nooseneack Hill Road, Richmond, RI. It has a gravel ramp and parking is available.

Bradford Landing (Pawcatuck River)

Off Route 215, just south of the intersection with Route 91, Hopkinton, RI, is a natural gravel shoreline that can be used as a boat ramp for small, trailered boats and is also suitable for launching hand-carried boats.

Fort Wetherill State Park

A boat ramp can be found at the southeast end of Ocean Street, off Walcott Avenue (Route 138), Jamestown, RI. It is a linked concrete plank for car-top vessels only and is handicapped-accessible.

Bold Point Park, East Providence

This site has a two-lane concrete boat ramp and a handicapped-accessible dock in between the two lanes. It is located off Pier Road, which can be reached by taking an immediate right onto Mauran Avenue after merging onto Veterans Memorial Pkwy from I-195 East. Alternatively, take exit 6 from I-195 West, then turn left under the highway and right onto Warren Avenue.

Wyoming Dam Fishing Access

Wyoming Dam Fishing Access is a site for launching boats from trailers and is also a portage. It is located at the south end of Wyoming Pond, which can be accessed from Interstate 95 by taking exit 3B for Route 138 West, then merging onto Route 3 South, and turning right onto Bridge Street. The site has a gravel boat ramp and 12 parking spaces.

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Boat ramp parking availability

Boat ramp parking is available at a variety of locations in Rhode Island. The following is a list of some of the sites with parking availability:

Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park

This site has a concrete ramp set into the gravel lake floor. It is for launching boats from trailers, but it may also be used for canoes and kayaks. There is a 10 HP limit on all outboard motors used on the pond, and no motors are allowed on holidays and weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The parking lot has 50 spaces, but no overnight parking is allowed.

Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch

This site allows for the launching of boats from trailers, as well as canoes and kayaks. Motor boats and water skiing are permitted, but jet skis are not. Parking and restrooms are available.

Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway

The boat ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway provides access to both Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound. It is suitable for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats. This site is popular among fishermen, boaters, and day-trippers. Portable toilets are usually available during the summer months. The parking lot has 50 spaces and is wheelchair accessible.

Main Street, Westerly

Located on the Pawtucket River, this site features a concrete slab ramp with ample parking for vehicles and trailers. It is also handicap accessible.

Putnam Pike (Route 44) Glocester

This site has a concrete slab boat ramp with a 10 HP limit. Parking is available.

Wyoming Pond (Wood River)

This site has a gravel ramp and parking is available.

Bradford Landing (Pawcatuck River)

The natural gravel shoreline at this site can be used as a boat ramp for small, trailered boats, but it is better suited for launching hand-carried boats.

East Wallum Lake Road Burrillville

This site features a cement plank boat ramp for launching boats from trailers, canoes, and kayaks. There is a 10 HP limit on motors. Parking is available.

East End of Intrepid Drive, North Kingstown

This site has a linked concrete plank that is moderately steep. Portable toilets and parking are available.

End of North Glen Drive, Coventry

This site has a cement plank boat ramp with limited parking.

Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake)

This site has a gravel parking lot and a cement plank boat ramp. It is a popular summer destination, so caution is advised when boating or paddling.

Bold Point Park, East Providence

This site features a two-lane concrete boat ramp with a handicapped-accessible dock. The park provides access to the Providence and Seekonk Rivers. Parking is available, with 35 spaces in total, including ADA-accessible spots.

Wyoming Dam Fishing Access, Wyoming

This site has a gravel boat ramp suitable for launching hand-carried and trailered boats. Parking is available, with 12 spaces in total, but no overnight parking is permitted.

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Boat ramp hours of operation

Westerley Municipal Boat Ramp

This boat ramp is located on Main Street in Westerly, a quarter of a mile south of Broad Street (Route 1). It is open from sunrise to sunset and is closed from half an hour after sunset to 5 am, except for fishing and boating.

Wyoming Dam Fishing Access

Wyoming Dam Fishing Access is located in Wyoming, RI. The boat ramp is open from sunrise to sunset all year round.

Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park

Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Haines Memorial State Park

Haines Memorial State Park is located on Bullock's Cove, off Metropolitan Park Drive in Barrington, RI. The boat ramp is open during regular park hours.

Bold Point Park

Bold Point Park is located in East Providence. The website does not specify the hours of operation for this boat ramp, but it is likely open during regular park hours.

These are just a few examples of boat ramps in Rhode Island and their hours of operation. For a comprehensive list of boat ramps and their locations, you can visit the Rhode Island Blueways website or the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management website.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are several boat ramps in Rhode Island that are wheelchair accessible. These include:

- Haines Memorial State Park

- Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park

- Fort Wetherill State Park

- Westerley Municipal Boat Ramp

- Bold Point Park

While I cannot confirm if they are free to use, the following boat ramps in Rhode Island are state-owned and open to the public:

- Clear River access to Harrisville Pond

- Union Pond

- Spring Lake

- Wakefield Pond

- Wilson Reservoir

- Watchaug Pond

- John L. Curran Public Fishing Area

- Carbuncle Pond

- Zeke's Bridge access to Big River and portions of Johnson's Pond

- Keech Pond

- Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake)

- Wyoming Pond

- Upper Pawtuxet River, Hope Landing access

- Stafford Pond

- Moscow Pond

- Melville Public Fishing Area

- Bradford Landing on Pawcatuck River

- Chapman's Pond (Burden's)

- Big River Landing

- Tarbox Pond

Many boat ramps in Rhode Island are suitable for launching kayaks. Some specific locations that can accommodate kayaks include:

- Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park

- Quonny Boat Ramp at Quonochontaug Breachway

- Wyoming Pond (Wood River)

- Stillwater Reservoir (Stump Pond)

- Bold Point Park

- Westerley Municipal Boat Ramp

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