This guide is original editorial content. Linked public sources and directory listings should be checked again for live schedules, closures, prices and access rules.
Florida Keys boat ramps by Key
Florida Keys boat ramps are not one statewide list. Start with where you will sleep and launch, not with a “best ramp” ranking. We do not rank launches. Public access is split among Monroe County, municipalities, Florida State Parks and other operators, so a map marker is only useful after you know who manages it. Monroe County lists eight county ramps in our curated set; cities, parks and private marinas add more launches with different rules. Compare mapped launches on Public Boat Ramps & Docks, then save a primary launch and a same-region backup in Trip planner before you hitch.
Upper Keys: Key Largo (about MM 97–107) and Tavernier (about MM 90–97) hold the two northern county ramps we curate—Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp and Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp. Islamorada (about MM 72–90) sits between Tavernier and Marathon; use the Islamorada island page for fuel, tackle and lodging even when the county ramp you launch from is in Tavernier. If the fishing day is the reason you are towing, pair this ramp map with Islamorada fishing day: ramp, tackle and charter checklist. Sleep on the same stretch with Where to stay in the Florida Keys: best base by Key for a 5–7 night trip.
Middle Keys: Marathon (about MM 47–60) is the service hub—hospital, groceries, marinas and everyday errands near the Seven Mile Bridge. Monroe County’s eight listed public ramps in our curated county data do not include a Marathon facility. For city and wayside launches in this stretch, use the Islamorada and Marathon public boat ramps section below, then compare listings on Public Boat Ramps & Docks and confirm whether a ramp is city, park, marina or another operator before you treat it as a county ramp. A Marathon base day belongs on Marathon as a Mid-Keys base: day plan.
Lower Keys and Key West: Big Pine, Little Torch, Cudjoe, Geiger and Big Coppitt hold the rest of the eight county ramps. Bahia Honda is a state-park launch, not one of those county ramps. Key West is the end-of-highway staging area for services; its public launches are City and FDOT ramps, covered in the Key West and Stock Island boat ramps section below—confirm the operator before towing into tight streets. Open the island page for the stretch you will actually use—Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, Cudjoe & Sugarloaf Keys, Big Coppitt & Geiger Keys, Stock Island and Key West—so fuel, ice and lodging sit near the trailer, not an hour of U.S. 1 away.
- Pick the Key first, then the operator, then the ramp.
- County ramps are not the only public boat ramps—identify who manages the facility.
- Compare listings on Public Boat Ramps & Docks and save a backup in Trip planner.
- If you are camping with a trailer, match the overnight stop on Campgrounds & RV Parks to the same highway stretch.
Islamorada and Marathon public boat ramps
Islamorada and Marathon have municipal and wayside launches that are not Monroe County’s eight curated county ramps. Treat them as a different product: confirm the managing agency, trailer rules and fees on the linked City, Village or FWC source the morning you tow—this guide does not hard-code launch prices.
Islamorada: the Village trailer hub is Islamorada Founders Park and Public Boat Ramp—pair it with Village Parks & Beaches guidance at https://www.islamorada.fl.us/260/Parks-Beaches and the FWC Florida Keys ramps index at https://gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/boat_ramps.html. Islamorada – East Ridge Road Public Boat Ramp (Islamorada - East Ridge Road Public Boat Ramp (No Parking - Small Boats Only)) is the Plantation Key / FWC small-boat ramp whose directory title already flags no parking and small boats only—do not plan a large trailer or overflow on residential shoulders. Green Turtle Hammock and Plantation Tropical Preserve are paddle / kayak launches, not motorboat trailer ramps. Library Beach Park is a Village park only; Village materials do not document a kayak launch there, so do not treat it as one.
Marathon: start with the City of Marathon’s three mapped public ramps—City of Marathon 33rd Street Boat Ramp (33rd St Gulf Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)), North Marathon Shores Public Boat Ramp (City Harbor Drive; Harbor Drive Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)) and Crawl Key (Mile Marker 54) Public Boat Ramp (City The Quay; The Quay Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)). Confirm current launch, retrieval, trailer-parking and overnight rules on the City Public Boat Ramps page at https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/marinaandports/page/public-boat-ramps before you hitch; cross-check Mid Keys entries on the FWC Florida Keys boat ramps index at https://gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/boat_ramps.html. Same-region backups when those lots are full or closed include Little Duck Key Wayside Park Public Boat Ramp, Spanish Harbor Wayside Park and Bahia Honda State Park—park ramps and waysides still need their own operator rules and (for Bahia Honda) park admission, not a City Marathon fee assumption.
- Founders for Islamorada trailer staging; East Ridge only when the vessel and parking match the small-boat / no-parking note.
- City Marathon trio first (33rd Street, Harbor Drive / North Marathon Shores, Quay / Crawl Key MM 54); Little Duck, Spanish Harbor and Bahia Honda as same-region backups.
- Cite City, Village and FWC pages—never invent fees from a screenshot.
Key West and Stock Island boat ramps
None of Monroe County’s eight curated county ramps is on Key West or Stock Island. The public launches at the end of the highway are City of Key West and FDOT facilities, so confirm the operator, fee and trailer parking on the linked City source and the FWC Florida Keys boat ramps index at https://gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/boat_ramps.html the morning you tow—this guide does not hard-code launch prices.
Key West: Key West City Marina at Garrison Bight, at North Roosevelt Boulevard and Palm Avenue, is the City’s fee ramp with marina trailer parking. City Marina posts current ramp and trailer rates at https://www.citymarinakeywest.com/ and says trailer parking is first come, first served, with no reservations. 11th Street Boat Ramp is a single-lane City ramp; FWC’s survey lists no docks or restrooms and street parking only beside a residential neighborhood, so do not plan to leave a rig on residential shoulders. Simonton Street Beach is the small Gulf-side City beach that the City describes with restrooms and a boat ramp for recreational boats; FWC’s detail page calls the ramp suitable for small boats, kayaks and canoes. FWC’s index and detail pages disagree on a Simonton fee, so confirm current ramp rules on the City Beaches & Marinas page at https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/494/Beaches-Marinas before you tow downtown.
Stock Island: Stock Island Public Boat Ramp is the public launch at U.S. 1 mile marker 5, oceanside. FWC titles it Stock Island Wayside, lists the Florida Department of Transportation as the managing entity, records no docks or restrooms, and notes it can be a difficult ramp for anyone with little trailering experience. The other Key West and Stock Island ramps on the FWC index that a visitor can use are private marina launches that set their own fees and rules—confirm with the marina directly, not with this guide. If you would rather keep the boat in the water than tow it each day, Stock Island marinas: slips, fuel and ramps covers which island marinas take transient boats, sell fuel or run a fee ramp.
- Garrison Bight: City fee ramp with first-come marina trailer parking—check City Marina rates the morning you tow.
- 11th Street: street parking only per FWC—not a trailer lot.
- Simonton: small-boat beach ramp—confirm fee and rules with the City.
- Stock Island MM 5: FDOT wayside—FWC flags it as tricky for new trailerers.
- Other Key West and Stock Island ramps are private marina launches with their own fees.
Public boat ramp fees (confirm with the county)
Public Florida Keys boat ramps are not one fee. Monroe County states its eight ramps are free for Monroe County residents. Non-resident fees are not identical at every facility, and this guide does not give a chain-wide price list. Confirm current fees, hours and any resident ID requirement on the linked official source the morning you tow.
Harry Harris Park in Tavernier is the county ramp with the clearest published weekend fee schedule in our curated data. County postings list non-resident weekend fees of $15 per vehicle plus a $40 boat-ramp fee, rising to $15 plus $60 on holiday weekends and the two-day lobster mini-season. Active military and disabled veterans with ID have vehicle fees waived per the county schedule. That posting is specific to Harry Harris—do not assume it applies to Forster, Blimp Road or a city ramp.
Cities, state parks and private marinas use different rules. Bahia Honda State Park, for example, is a park-managed facility with park entrance requirements rather than a Monroe County neighborhood ramp. Always identify the operator before relying on a directory listing.
- County residents: Monroe County lists its eight ramps as free for residents.
- Non-residents: budget for the published Harry Harris weekend/holiday schedule when using that park ramp.
- Fees change—re-check the linked county or park page before you leave.
Trailer parking at Florida Keys boat ramps
On Florida Keys boat ramps, parking—not the concrete—is often the constraint. First-come lots fill, some county listings state no parking at all, and neighborhood shoulders are not a backup plan. Monroe County pages for Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp warn that parking is first-come, sometimes unavailable at peak use, and that neighborhood right-of-way parking is not permitted; the county cites a fine for parking outside designated spaces.
Published parking notes in our curated county data: Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp in Key Largo has about six truck-and-trailer spaces on pea rock; Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp in Tavernier has about 20 trailer spaces and day parking only for trailers; Koehn Avenue Boat Ramp on Big Pine Key has rural/limited parking; Eden Pines Neighborhood Boat Ramp lists no parking available; State Road 4A Boat Ramp on Little Torch (about MM 28.5 bayside) allows trailer parking in designated areas only; Blimp Road Boat Ramp on Cudjoe lists parking for 10 or more vehicles; Gulf View Boat Ramp on Big Coppitt (about MM 9.3) has gravel parking for up to five vehicles.
Treat those counts as planning clues, not a live occupancy feed. Arrive early on weekends and holiday or lobster-season mornings, and have a legal second ramp in the same region if the lot is full. Never invent trailer parking on residential shoulders.
- Forster: scarce pea-rock stalls; no neighborhood overflow.
- Harry Harris: about 20 day-use trailer spaces—arrive early.
- Eden Pines: county listing says no parking—choose another ramp.
- Gulf View: five-vehicle gravel lot fills quickly.
Kayak vs larger boats
Match the vessel to the county description, not to the words “boat ramp” on a map. Several Monroe County ramps are intended for small boats and kayaks only, with shallow water or neighborhood canals that do not suit a deeper draft.
Small-craft county ramps in our curated set: Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp in Key Largo (about MM 95.2 bayside) is described for small boats such as kayaks; Koehn Avenue Boat Ramp on Big Pine Key is small boats and kayaks only, with very shallow surrounding water; Geiger Boat Ramp is intended for small boats and kayaks beside Geiger Marina; Eden Pines Neighborhood Boat Ramp is a neighborhood canal ramp with a long run to open water and no parking on the county listing.
Larger trailers belong where the county describes that use. Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp in Tavernier (about MM 92.5 oceanside) is a concrete double ramp with finger pier and Atlantic Ocean access for small and large boats. Blimp Road Boat Ramp on Cudjoe (about MM 21.2 bayside) is county-recommended for bay or flats boats. State Road 4A Boat Ramp offers residential canal access to open water; Gulf View Boat Ramp is a single-lane concrete ramp for small boats into Waltz Key Basin. Confirm draft, tide and current access on the linked county page before you commit a larger vessel.
- Kayak / small skiff: Forster, Koehn or Geiger—still confirm parking.
- Larger trailers: Harry Harris is the Upper Keys county ramp described for large boats.
- Shallow water is a draft problem, not a suggestion—read the county note.
Backup ramp before you tow
A mapped ramp is not a guarantee of unrestricted access the morning you tow. Parking fills, storms and maintenance change conditions, and some facilities post temporary closures. Blimp Road (Blimp Road Boat Ramp) on Cudjoe Key is a recent example: Monroe County closed it from Feb. 5, 2026 while it served as a staging area for airport-related mitigation work, then announced in late July 2026 that the ramp had reopened ahead of lobster mini-season (county release as reposted by the Greater Key West Chamber on July 28, 2026: https://www.keywestchamber.org/latest-community-news/blimp-road-boat-ramp-on-cudjoe-key-reopens-in-time-for-lobster-mini-season). A reopening is not a standing guarantee, so confirm current access with Monroe County before towing to Cudjoe Key.
Build the backup in the same region, not an hour of Overseas Highway later. Upper Keys: if Forster’s six stalls are gone or the vessel is too large, Harry Harris is the nearby county alternative with more trailer spaces—budget the published non-resident fees when they apply. Lower Keys: Eden Pines is not a visiting-trailer backup (no parking on the county listing); Koehn is small-craft and shallow; Gulf View’s five-vehicle lot is easy to lose. Keep Blimp Road, State Road 4A and Gulf View as a cluster you verify the same morning, not as interchangeable ramps.
Prepare away from the waterline: install drain plugs, ready lines and brief passengers before backing into the active lane. After retrieval, pull clear before securing the boat. Small Keys ramps gridlock when one crew treats the ramp as a parking space. Save the primary launch and the backup from Public Boat Ramps & Docks in Trip planner so the trailer plan matches the overnight base.
- Carry a second-ramp plan in the same region.
- Blimp Road: confirm current access notices with Monroe County.
- Do not use Eden Pines as a visiting-trailer overflow.
- Drop both stops into Trip planner before you leave the hotel.
How to use the directory from here
Open Public Boat Ramps & Docks to compare mapped launches by island, then open each listing’s source link for the latest agency notice. Pair the launch with the island pages above for fuel, tackle, groceries and lodging. If the boat is traveling with a camper, use Campgrounds & RV Parks so the overnight site and the ramp sit on the same stretch of U.S. 1. Highway fuel for the tow vehicle is Florida Keys gas stations and EV charging: plan Overseas Highway stops by Key. Private docks and charters are Marinas & Boating, not a public ramp.
Additional public launches appear in state parks and city facilities. Those sites usually require park admission or local rules that differ from the eight county ramps. Linked listings should be checked again for live fees, parking, restrooms, closures and access rules before you tow. A fishing morning belongs on Islamorada fishing day: ramp, tackle and charter checklist; a Marathon hub day on Marathon as a Mid-Keys base: day plan; the pillow on Where to stay in the Florida Keys: best base by Key for a 5–7 night trip.
- Directory first, official source second, then drive.
- Match ramp depth and parking to vessel and tide.
- Check weather, bridges and marine forecasts before leaving.
Frequently asked questions
Are Florida Keys boat ramps free?
Public boat ramps are not one price. Monroe County states its eight listed ramps are free for county residents. Non-resident fees are not the same at every facility. In our curated county data, Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp in Tavernier has the clearest published weekend schedule: $15 per vehicle plus a $40 boat-ramp fee, or $15 plus $60 on holiday weekends and the two-day lobster mini-season. Active military and disabled veterans with ID have vehicle fees waived per that county posting. Confirm current fees on the linked official source before you tow. This guide does not publish a fee for any other ramp.
How do I choose Florida Keys boat ramps by Key?
Match the ramp to the island you will fish or sleep on, then the operator. Upper Keys county ramps in our curated set are Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp in Key Largo (small boats and kayaks, about six trailer spaces) and Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp in Tavernier (double ramp for small and large boats, about 20 trailer spaces). Islamorada and Marathon use Village and City launches, not those eight county ramps. Lower Keys county ramps run through Big Pine, Little Torch, Cudjoe, Geiger and Big Coppitt. Key West and Stock Island are City and FDOT launches. Compare listings on Public Boat Ramps & Docks, then open the island page for fuel and lodging.
How much trailer parking do Florida Keys boat ramps have?
It varies by facility and is often the limiting factor. Curated county notes include about six truck-and-trailer spaces at Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp in Key Largo, about 20 day-use trailer spaces at Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp in Tavernier, parking for 10 or more vehicles at Blimp Road Boat Ramp on Cudjoe Key, and gravel parking for up to five vehicles at Gulf View Boat Ramp on Big Coppitt Key. Eden Pines Neighborhood Boat Ramp on Big Pine Key lists no parking. Lots are first-come; do not park on residential shoulders.
Which Florida Keys boat ramps work for kayaks vs larger boats?
County guidance describes Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp, Koehn Avenue Boat Ramp and Geiger Boat Ramp as intended for small boats and kayaks. Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp is the Upper Keys county ramp described for small and large boats, with a concrete double ramp and finger pier. Blimp Road Boat Ramp is recommended for bay or flats boats. Match draft to the county note and tide; confirm with the linked source if the vessel is larger than a skiff.
Do I need a backup boat ramp in the Florida Keys?
Yes. First-come trailer lots fill, some listings state no parking, and facilities can close for maintenance. Have a second legal launch in the same region—for example Harry Harris Park Boat Ramp if Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp is full, and a verified Lower Keys alternative if Blimp Road Boat Ramp or Gulf View Boat Ramp is closed or full. Save both ramps from Public Boat Ramps & Docks in Trip planner before you leave.
Where are the public boat ramps in Islamorada and Marathon?
Islamorada’s main Village trailer ramp is Islamorada Founders Park and Public Boat Ramp; East Ridge Road is a small-boat / limited-parking Plantation Key launch. Marathon’s three City public ramps are City of Marathon 33rd Street Boat Ramp (33rd St Gulf Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)), North Marathon Shores Public Boat Ramp (Harbor Drive Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)) on Harbor Drive, and Crawl Key (Mile Marker 54) Public Boat Ramp (The Quay Boat Ramp (City of Marathon)) at The Quay. Confirm fees and parking on the City of Marathon and Village of Islamorada pages and the FWC Keys ramps index—do not copy dollar amounts from this guide.
Where are the public boat ramps in Key West and Stock Island?
Key West’s City-run launches are Key West City Marina at Garrison Bight (fee ramp with first-come marina trailer parking), 11th Street Boat Ramp (street parking only per FWC) and Simonton Street Beach (small boats, kayaks and canoes per FWC). Stock Island Public Boat Ramp at mile marker 5 oceanside is an FDOT wayside. The other ramps FWC lists on the two islands that a visitor can use are private marina launches with their own fees. Confirm current fees and rules on the City Marina, City of Key West Beaches & Marinas and FWC Keys ramps pages—do not copy dollar amounts from this guide. Island context is Key West and Stock Island.
