Boat Launches In Seattle: Open Or Closed?

Seattle is known for its maritime history and boasts one of the highest pleasure boat per capita rates in the United States. The city offers a variety of boating options, from canoes and kayaks to motorboats and sailboats. Seattle Parks and Recreation manages seven motorized boat launches across the city, including popular spots like Magnuson Park, Eddie Vine, Don Armeni, and the Atlantic City Boat Ramp. While most boat launches remain open throughout the year, some closures and modified hours may occur during holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Additionally, permits and fees are typically required for boat launches, with options for single-day, overnight, and annual permits.

Boat launch permits and fees

The Seattle Parks and Recreation department manages seven motorized boat launches on Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Ship Canal. A permit is required for anyone using a ramp lane, regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer. The two launches that do not require permits are Sunnyside Ave NW and 14th Ave NW, but there is very limited parking at these sites.

The Stan Sayres Boat Ramp on Lake Washington Boulevard is mostly closed while SPR awaits federal permits to begin repair work. Limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit in between the block barriers to use the central portion of the ramp.

A single-day launch permit costs $12 and is valid until midnight on the date of purchase. This can be paid for at the launch using the gray fee machine (card only) or at a kiosk (cash or check). You must display the permit on your dashboard.

In addition to the daily launch fee, you can purchase an overnight permit for $12 per night (4-night maximum). This can be paid for at a kiosk using cash or check. You must display proof of payment on your dashboard.

An annual permit costs $150 and permits a stay of up to 4 nights. Annual boat launch permits can be purchased via phone, fax, mail, or in person, using cash, check, or credit card.

Boat launch locations

Seattle has seven motorized boat launches within the city limits, five of which have parking and require permits. The two launches that don't require permits are Sunnyside Ave NW and 14th Ave NW, but parking is limited at these locations.

Four of the five launches that require permits are fully open: Magnuson Park, Eddie Vine, Don Armeni, and the Atlantic City Boat Ramp. The Stan Sayres Boat Ramp on Lake WA Blvd is mostly closed while awaiting federal permits to begin repair work. Limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit in between the block barriers to use the central portion of the ramp.

The Magnuson Park Boat Launch is Seattle's most popular public boat launch. It is open from 4 am to 10 pm and provides access to Lake Washington. The launch has two south lanes for launching and two north lanes for retrieval, with two large parking lots reserved for vehicles with trailers.

Other boat launch locations in the Seattle area include Rainier Beach, Renton (next to Boeing), Kirkland Marina Launch, Mercer Island Launch, East side (next to I-90), and Bellevue (south of I-90).

Boat launch operating hours

Seattle Parks and Recreation manages seven motorized boat launches across the city. These are located on Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Ship Canal. A permit is required for anyone using a ramp lane, regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer. The two launches that do not require permits are Sunnyside Ave NW and 14th Ave NW, but parking is limited at these locations.

The Stan Sayres Boat Ramp on Lake Washington Boulevard is mostly closed while Seattle Parks and Recreation awaits federal permits to begin repair work. Limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit between the block barriers to use the central portion of the ramp.

The Magnuson Park Boat Launch is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The gates are locked between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. This launch provides direct access to Lake Washington for boaters and jet skiers. The two south lanes are for launching, and the two north lanes are for retrieval. There are two large parking lots reserved for vehicles with trailers just south of the piers and ramps. Road access to this area is closed and locked at 11:30 p.m. in the winter and 10:30 p.m. in the summer.

The Eddie Vine, Don Armeni, and Atlantic City Boat Ramp launches are also open, with the latter having been closed in 2020 to accommodate the City's COVID-19 testing site.

Boat launch parking

The Stan Sayres Boat Ramp on Lake Washington Boulevard is mostly closed while awaiting federal permits for repair work. However, limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit between the block barriers to use the central portion of the ramp.

Magnuson Park Boat Launch, located at Warren G. Magnuson Park, is Seattle's most popular public boat launch. It offers four ramp lanes, with two lanes for launching and two for retrieval, as well as two large parking lots reserved for vehicles with trailers. The boat launch is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., and road access to the area is locked between 10:30 p.m. in winter and 11:30 p.m. in summer.

Single-day launch permits cost $12 and are valid until midnight on the date of purchase. Overnight permits can be purchased for $12 per night, with a maximum stay of four nights. Annual permits are also available for $150, allowing up to a four-night stay. These permits can be obtained through various payment methods, including card machines, kiosks, phone, fax, mail, or in person.

Boat launch guidelines

Seattle has a long maritime history and one of the highest levels of pleasure boats per capita in the United States. There are seven motorized boat launches in the city, five of which have parking and require permits: Eddie Vine at Golden Gardens, Don Armeni in West Seattle, Stan Sayers, Atlantic Street, and Magnuson Park on Lake Washington. The two launches that do not require permits are Sunnyside Ave NW and 14th Ave NW, but parking is very limited at these locations.

A permit is required for anyone using a ramp lane, regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer. Single-day launch permits cost $12 and are valid until midnight on the date of purchase. Overnight permits are available for an additional $12 per night (up to four nights). Annual permits cost $150 and allow for a stay of up to four nights. Permits can be purchased at the launch site using a gray fee machine or kiosk.

In addition to permits, there are several guidelines and rules in place for boat launches in Seattle:

• Stay home if you are sick, and wash your hands frequently
• Give other boaters at least 6ft of space at all times
• Launch boats quickly and do not linger in the launch parking lot
• Only go boating with members of your household
• Refrain from linking up with other boats for gatherings or parties
• Only vehicles with boat trailers will be allowed in ramp parking lots
• Social distancing must be maintained at ramps and on the water

It is important to note that the Stan Sayres Boat Ramp on Lake WA Blvd is mostly closed while awaiting federal permits to begin repair work. Limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit between the block barriers and use the central portion of the ramp. Additionally, the Atlantic City Boat Launch was closed as of May 2020 to accommodate the City's COVID-19 testing site, with boaters directed to use the Stan Sayres launch as an alternative.

Frequently asked questions