Discovery Village
Please be advised that effective July 1, 2025, the boat ramp amenity at Discovery Village will no longer be accessible to the public.
This closure is a direct result of the lease agreement between Anne Arundel County and the property owners of Discovery Village. The agreement stipulates that if the County Council does not appropriate the necessary funds for rent and expenses, the lease will automatically expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2025. This appropriation was not made as part of the FY2026 Approved Budget.
We understand this may impact your boating plans. Anne Arundel County provides alternative public access, including two public boat ramps located at Fort Smallwood Park and Solley Cove, as well as 18 designated cartop boat launches. You can find detailed information on these locations at www.aacounty.org. Furthermore, South County offers numerous private marinas where boat ramp access is available for a nominal fee. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please note that some sites are a long carry to the water or are difficult to access.
- Park hours are open dawn to dusk
- No swimming
- No camping
- No trailers
- No alcohol
- No fires
- No overnight parking
- All trash must be taken with you or place in a trash receptacle
What types of boats qualify as "car top boats?"
In general a car top boat refers to a canoe or kayak, although a boat that can be carried on or in a passenger vehicle that can be transported by hand to the water may qualify as a car top boat. None of the car top boat launch sites has a ramp for trailered boats. Please note that some sites are a long carry to the water or are difficult to access.
Are certain inflatable kayaks allowed at car top boat launch sites?
Inflatable kayaks must have multiple air chambers and be made of heavy duty PVC-coated polyester, Hypalon or similar material. These kayaks are meant to perform in a similar manner as rigid kayaks. Inflatable toy kayaks or rafts which are not designed to be placed in moving or rough water are prohibited from using the County's car top boat launch sites. There is a distinct difference between these two different types of inflatables and for safety purposes you should never launch any craft that is not designed for the body of water being entered.
Cartop Boat Launch Sites
The following Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks regional and community parks provide an area to launch cartop boats. Please review the rules and regulations listed above.
