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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. - Dusk
Park is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
RAMP USE: The ramp is for use of 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.)
DOCKING: The docks are for unloading and loading only. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed tied to the dock. You must walk your boat to the end of the docking area.
MOTOR USE: Never use your boat’s power for loading on or unloading from the trailer. The prop wash will erode the ramp’s foundation.
ENFORCEMENT AND REVISION OF RULES: Violations of the 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.
Daily entry passes are sold at the Fort Smallwood gatehouse.
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. 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
Single Day Boat Launch Receipt
$10.00
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 unless they have an Annual Park Pass.
The increased popularity of the Fort Smallwood Park Boat Ramp over the past season led to dozens of days where parking at the ramp reached full capacity. When at full capacity, access to ramp parking is prohibited to all departing boats, including annual pass holders. This led to multiple negative incidents involving annual pass holders and threatened the safety of park staff. We hope to avoid future conflicts by not offering the annual pass effective November 1, 2020.
Parking
PARKING: 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.
BOAT TRAILERS: 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.
