Fees
All fees shall be paid in advance. A daily boat launch receipt shall be retained by the purchaser and made visible to park staff if requested. All ramp fees except under special circumstances and approved by the Park Superintendent, are non-refundable.
Daily entry passes are sold at the Fort Smallwood gatehouse.
Annual boat launch permits must be PERMANENTLY attached to your vehicle or trailer at all times to be valid. Annual permits may be placed on the boat trailer tongue, the outside bottom corner of the driver's side front windshield, driver's side front bumper, or inside the driver’s side door. All ramp fees except under special circumstances and approved by the Park Superintendent, are non‐refundable.
| Boat Ramp Fees | |
| Daily Launch Fee | $10.00 |
| Annual Weekday Permit (excludes holidays and weekends) | $50.00 |
For those citizens not towing a boat, but will be parking a vehicle while they are out on a boat will have to pay the Park Day Use fee.
Hours of Operations
Boat Ramp Hours:
- Open 7 days a week
- Boats are only permitted to launch from park opening at 5:30 a.m. until 1 hour prior to closing time.
- Boat Ramp will operate year round.
- The ramp is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Park Hours:
- Open 7 days a week
- 5:30 a.m. - Sunset
- Boats originating from the park are permitted to be retrieved up to 2 hours past posted park closing time.
- Park is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Rules & Regulations
The ramp is for use by private pleasure craft of 28 feet or less in length, and 8' 6" feet in width only. No commercial use (dealers, workboats, charter vessels, etc.)
The docks are for unloading and loading only. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed for users to remain tied to the dock. You must walk your boat to the end of the docking area.
Never use your boat's power for loading onto or unloading from the trailer. The prop wash will erode the ramp's foundation.
Fort Smallwood staff does not monitor any marine channels. You must follow all Coast Guard rules governing distress signals and communications
No fueling of boats is permitted. Hazard-ous or flammable chemicals are prohibited from use on docks or vessels.
Maryland Department of the Environment prohibits draining of gray water on the ramp or on park property.
Dumpsters are provided next to the parking lots. NO DISPOSAL OF OIL OR OTHER FLUIDS SUCH AS ANTIFREEZE OR PAINT IS PERMITTED ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
All vehicles pulling trailers must be parked in one of the allotted trailer parking spaces. Once the spaces are full, no more boats will be allowed to launch. As parking opens up, new vehicles pulling boats will be allowed to enter the park. Unauthorized boats and trailers will be towed at owners expense.
Overnight boat trailer parking is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances should a trailer be left unattached to a vehicle. The parking area is patrolled by Park Staff and is restricted to day-use only.
Vessels shall be in seaworthy condition and not constitute a fire hazard or obstruction to navigation. Boat owners agree to keep the boat fully insured and with complete marine insurance, including hull coverage and indemnity and/or liability insurance.
Anchoring or mooring within 400 feet of the shoreline is prohibited.
A low wake zone of less than 6 mph exists within 400 feet of the shoreline.
No swimming or diving is permitted in the launch area.
Fishing is prohibited within 400 feet of the shoreline. Fish cleaning and disposal of fish parts are prohibited on Park property. There is no fishing allowed on the left side of the stone jetty.
Docks must be kept open at all times for safe and convenient ingress and egress. Chairs, tables, boat parts, and other items must not block the docks. Boaters must keep the docks free of trash and debris at all times.
The registered boater is responsible for the orderly conduct of themself and of their guest(s). Throwing sports, kite-flying and radio-controlled toys are prohibited in the dock area, including parking lots.
Port-a-pots are provided for your convenience. They are located near the trailer parking lot.
Pets must be under control and shall remain on a leash at all times. Those bringing pets into the area must pick up after them. Pets should not be left unattended. Boat owners assume responsibility for any pets that may cause damage or harm to property or persons.
Bicycles, mopeds and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the docks except for those in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the event the vessel or trailer shall, for any reason, sink or become disabled while at dockside, the County may take immediate steps to remove the vessel or trailer. All costs will be at the boat owner's expense.
Boat owner shall be solely responsible for any damages caused to the dock, personal property, or other vessels during mooring, launching or recovering their boat.
The dock facilities are to be used at the sole risk of the boat owner and the County shall not be liable or responsible for the care or protection of the boat, including gear, equipment and contents, or for any loss or damage of whatever kind or nature to said boat, trailer or vehicle. Boat owner under-stands that this contract is a license to use the dock for launching and retrieving a boat on a trailer. There is no guarantee or warranty of any kind as to the condition of the piers, ramps, docks, roads, parking lots, electrical supply or grounds. Nor shall the County be responsible for injuries to persons or property occurring thereon or for any reason whether specifically stated or not.
Boat owner agrees the County shall not be liable to boat owner or boat for any losses incurred by reason of fire, storm, wind, water, or ice or by reason of any criminal act, including, but not limited to, any intrusion, theft, vandalism, arson or other criminal acts of any kind or degree whether by land, water, or air.
Enforcement and Revision of Rules
Violations of the above Rules and Regulations may result in expulsion or permanent denial of services at any County Dock. Rules and Regulations may be revised from time to time without prior notification.
