The Chesapeake Bay, Maryland's crown jewel, can be accessed by any of the six boat ramps located in County parks. The launches are open year round and are located at:
Cox's Point Park | Inverness Park | Merritt Point Park
Rocky Point Park | Southwest Area Park | Turner Station Park
Wilson Point Park
Ramps at these parks open daily year round at 6 a.m. All boaters are asked to be out of the parks by the closing time posted at the ramp.
Ramp Closing times
November, December, January, February and March
5:30 p.m.
April, May, September and October
8 p.m.
June, July and August
8:30 p.m.
Baltimore County does not charge a fee or require a permit to use the Chesapeake Bay access ramps at any of its parks. However, boaters using the ramp at Rocky Point from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day are charged a $5 trailer parking fee.
Cox's Point Park, located on Back River, features one two-lane boat launch.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: Stembridge / Essex
Community Office Phone: 410-887-0255 or
Email: essex-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Cox's Point Park
I- 695 exit 36 - Route 702 exit Eastern Blvd. towards Essex. Left on Riverside Drive. Park is at the end of the road.
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Inverness Park, located on Bear Creek, features one two-lane boat ramp.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: West Inverness / Watersedge/Turner Station
Community Office Phone: 410-887-7536
Email: westinverness-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Inverness Park
I-695 exit 39 - Merritt Blvd. Left on Wise Avenue. Right on Lynch Road. Lynch Road bears to the left.
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Merritt Point Park, located on Bull Neck Creek, features one two-lane boat ramp.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: Dundalk
Community Office Phone: 410-887-7155 or
Email: dundalkeastfield-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Merritt Point Park
I-695 East to Dundalk - Exit 39 Merritt Blvd. Proceed 2 miles and turn left at Dunmanway traffic light. Follow to entrance into park.
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Rocky Point Park is located on the bay at the mouth of Back River. It features both a deep water two-lane ramp and a shallow two-lane ramp.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: Enterprise Division
Office Phone: 410-887-3873
Email: rpeprise@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Rocky Point Park
I- 695 exit 36 - Route 702. Follow Rt. 702 south past its merge with Back River Neck Road. Continue on Back River Neck road for 2.3 miles. Left on Barrison Point Road. Right on Rocky Point Road, follow into park entrance. Main ramp is on the right past the gatehouse.
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Southwest Area Park features Baltimore County's newest boat ramp and is located on the Patapsco River. It is for shallow draft boats only.
Vessel Size*: Small
Community: Lansdowne-Riverview/Baltimore Highlands
Community Office Phone: 410-887-1439 or
Email: lansdowne-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Southwest Area Park
I-695 to Exit 9 - Hollins Ferry Road East. Right on Daisy Avenue Right on Annapolis Road. Left on Georgia Avenue - park is at end of road
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Turner Station Park is located on Peach Orchard Cove. It can accomodate large vessels at its four ramps.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: Turner Station/ Watersedge/West Inverness
Community Office Phone: 410-887-7536
Email: turnerstation-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Directions to Turner Station Park
I-695 East toward Dundalk. Follow Beltway to Exit 39 Merritt Blvd. Proceed for approx 2 miles until Merritt Blvd. deadends at Sollers Point Rd. Turn left onto Sollers Point Road. Go approx. one mile to traffic light at Dundalk Avenue. Proceed through signal for approx. 1/2 mile and turn left onto Avodale Rd. Go approx. another 1/2 mile and turn left onto Rayme Road. Follow to park entrance.
Wilson Point Park, located on Dark Head Creek, features one two-lane boat ramp.
Vessel Size*: Large
Community: Middle River
Community Office Phone: 410-887-0234
Email: middleriver-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Drirections to Wilson Point Park
I-695 East Towards Essex. Continue on Rt. 702 towards Essex. Take the Eastern Avenue exit (North). Follow Eastern Avenue (Rt.150) toward Martin State Airport. Make a right on Wilson Point Drive. Make a right on Beech Drive. Follow to park entrance.
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* Vessel Size is intended as a general reference to ramp capacity. Generally, vessels less than 16 feet in length are considered small and those greater than 16 feet as large.
In addition to the bay, the Department also provides access for boaters to the Loch Raven Reservoir at the Loch Raven Fishing Center. Here you can rent a boat and enjoy a relaxing day on the 2,400 acre reservoir. Or, you can dock your own boat for the season for as reasonable a rate as you'll find in the County.
Revised August 27, 2007