Launch Ramps

About This Page

In no way are we promoting nor endorsing usage of any of the ramps listed below. These are simply ramps that we have visited either with our boats or simply by car. The condition of ramps can change as well as the security of the parking facilities. Use these as any ramp with caution.

Pictures will be added as we get them.

Nevada and Arizona (Lake Mead and Mohave)

Callville Bay, Lake Mead Nevada

The ramp at Callville is in great shape. The ramp extends into the lake a good thirty feet. Parking is another story... you have to hike to the top of the ramp to retrieve your vehicle and trailer. It is not too bad at this time of year but when it's 110 degrees.... now that's another story. The lake is currently at 1108.25 feet.

Since posting this, the Park Service has installed a new ramp due to the lakes continued decline. While we have never launched from the new ramp, it appears to be a great ramp of ribbed concrete. Parking is quite a hike away which in the heat of summer, can be miserable.

Willow Beach Marina, Lake Mohave Arizona

This ramp is the furthest north ramp on Lake Mohave. Most summer weekends you will find moderate traffic but the line is still reasonable to launch and retrieve. It is within a national park so you will have to pay the national park fee to get in. Parking is free and is limited to seven days. Fuel and pumpout are available as well as water. The water in this area will only reach the 50's in the summer so, I would not plan to do much swimming. However, ten miles down stream the waters will be in the eighties. The ramp is located offof state highway 93 one hour south of Las Vegas. The road down to the Willow beach is ten miles long with many turns and a considerable grade. Take is slow to keep your brakes cool.

Cottonwood Cove Marina, Searchlight Nevada (Lake Mohave)

Cottonwood Cove Marina is located at the end of Cottonwood Cove Road east of Searchlight Nevada. Searchlight is located off of state road 95 southeast of Las Vegas. As with the road leading into Willow Beach, the road is long with many curves and grades. Keeping your speed down will keep your brakes cool.

Once you arrive at the marina, you will find a wide ramp with a number of docks. Fuel, water, groceries, and a pumpout are all available. Beer, wine, achohol, and ice are all available also.

Parking is good with no charge other than to enter the park. Parking is limited to seven days though.

This ramp places you half way down Lake Mohave providing you with great access to the entire lake. The water in this area of the lake is much warmer than the water at the northern end. From this point you can proceed north or south on the lake finding numerous little coves and holes to drop your hook in.

California

Grand Ave Ramp, Alameda California

This ramp is located at the east end of Grand Avenue in Alameda California. This ramp makes an excellent starting point for a cruise on the San Fransisco Bay. Parking is a bit tight however there is nearby street parking at no charge. There is no fuel, water, pump out located at the ramp. However, there is a marina just south and north of the ramp that have these available.

The ramp can be influenced by passing vessels wakes as well as tidal currents. We pulled Karma on a high tide so there was no issue with marine growth on the ramp.

Bridge Bay Resort, Lake Shasta California

This ramp can be a bit tricky and crowded on weekends. If possible launch and retrieve on a weekday. Parking is ample for even the longest trailer and truck. There is a $15.00 per day charge for parking tow vehicle and trailer. The ramp is well protected from waves and winds and has a dock along side. The ramp is located immediately off of Interstate 5 ten miles north of Redding California. Take the Bridge Bay road exit from Interstate 5.

Utah (Lake Powell)

Halls Crossing Ramp, Halls Crossing Utah (Lake Powell)

The ramp at Halls Crossing is one of the deepest ramps in Lake Powell. When many of the other ramps come out of the water, this ramp is still accessible. Fuel and water are both available at the marina at Halls Crossing. Parking is good and secure. Your boat will have to be be "Mussel Free" certified prior to launching here at Halls Crossing. Parking is limited to seven days. Halls crossing is located 90 miles up stream of the dam. This is a great mid lake launch point. While just across the lake from Bull Frog, Halls has fewer lanes than the Bullfrog ramp therefore, the line can be longer to launch or retrieve.

Halls Crossing is located on the east side of Lake Powell south of Moab.

Bullfrog Marina, Bullfrog Utah (Lake Powell)

Bullfrog is a very wide ramp that can accomodate up to ten boats at a time. Just as Halls, Bullfrog is 90 miles up stream of the dam. Fuel and water is available at Bullfrog. Parking is ample and secure. You will need to be "Mussel Free" certified to launch at Bullfrog.

Parking is free but limited to seven days. (We have left the truck and trailer longer with no issues)

Bullfrog is located on the Western Shore of Lake Powell in Southern Utah.

Washington (Puget Sound)

Alki Point, West Seattle

Alki Point is located on the western shore of Elliot Bay. From Interstate five you would take the West Seattle Bridge exit. The bridge is tight as the lanes are narrow. There are no low overhangs or obstacles that you need to concerned with when towing any vessel with less than a 14' 6" clearance.

The ramp is wide and well grooved. Launching on a fair tide is always recommended. Parking is ample and safe. There is a charge for launching and parking.

Everett

The Everett Marine Park is located just north of the 12th Street Yacht Basin. The ramp is 13 lanes wide with more than enough parking. If you should leave your vehicle and trailer at this location, you should return to find it still secure. We have left our vehicle overnight in the past with no issues.

The current in the river can be quite strong on an ebb tide. Be sure to take that into account when making the turn in between the break waters. The 12th Street Yacht Basin as well as the Everett Marina (Just north of 12th Street) both offer guest moorage. Everett offers fuel and pumpout. Again, use caution when approaching the guest docks as well as the fuel docks on an ebb tide. Currents run strong.

Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park Ramp and Dock, Bainbridge Island

This ramp and dock are located just west of the Bainbridge Island ferry dock in Eagle Harbor. The road leading into the ramp is tight with some low overhanging trees. Use caution to avoid damage to your boat. Parking is tight. The ramp is concrete and in good repair. We have not used this ramp ourselves due to access. It is however well used by others. The visitors dock is on a first come first served basis. There is not water, electric, or showers. Bathrooms are open only duringday light hours.

No charge to park or launch.

Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham

This is an excellent ramp. Five dollars to launch and no charge for long term parking (you must park in the gravel parking lot behind the Coast Guard building). The one drawback is there is no prep area. We did not realize this until we were in a position to launch. The parking was full so the option was to locate a location we would be out of the way and do it there.

Ala Wai Harbor Ramp, Honolulu

This ramp is located right in the heart of downtown Honolulu. The ramp is well protected being it is located at the backend of the harbor. There is ample free parking while I would caution leaving valuables visible in your vehicle.

While the vast majority will never "trailer" our Tugs to Hawaii, I have seen a couple of R-21's on the island.