Magnuson Park Boat Launch
About
Warren G. Magnuson Park is the home of Seattle's most popular public boat launch. The launch puts boaters and jet skiers directly into Lake Washington. For a quieter experience, boaters motor out into the expansive lake to spend the day swimming, fishing or just hanging out. A fresh-water license is required for each person fishing.
The ramp is located at the southeast end of the park. Pull your trailer to Sand Point Way N.E. and enter the park at N.E. 65th Street. Drive east as far as you can (approximately 1/2 mile). You'll see three long piers and four ramp lanes. The two south lanes are for launching and the two north lanes for retrieval. Just south of the piers and ramps are two large parking lots reserved for vehicles with trailers. Just a reminder, road access to this area is closed and locked at 10:00 p.m.
During the peak boating season, a wheelchair-accessible, portable restroom is available near the launch. For last-minute gasoline, snacks and refreshments, stores are located at Sand Point Village (Princeton Avenue N.E. and Sand Point Way N.E.) or near the N.E. 74th Street park entrance.
Boat Launch Fees and Payments
We have 7 motorized boat ramps on Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Ship Canal.
Tie-ups are limited to 15 minutes at motorized boat ramps.
Permits are required at the 5 motorized boat launches on Puget Sound and Lake Washington, regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer:
- Atlantic City (Rainier Beach),
- Don Armeni (Alki),
- Eddie Vine (Shilshole),
- Magnuson Park (Sand Point),
- Stan Sayres (Mount Baker).
Day use permits are $12 per day, sold on the PayByPhone app. Maximum stay 4 days.
The Washington State Parks Discover Pass is not valid for launch fee payment at any boat ramp in Seattle.
Annual permits cost $150 and are good from January 1-December 31. You may purchase an annual permit 4 ways:
- Purchase an Annual Boat Ramp Permit on ActiveNet (preferred)
- Call (206) 684-7249
- Download the Annual Boat Ramp Permit Application, print, and return with a $150.00 check or money order payable to Seattle Parks and Recreation. Please allow 2 weeks for processing.
- Purchase an Annual Boat Ramp Permit in-person at Evans Pool, Meadowbrook Pool, Rainier Beach Pool, or Southwest Pool.
Permits are not required at the boat ramps on the Ship Canal which have little to no parking: Sunnyside Ave N Boat Ramp and 14th Avenue NW Boat Ramp.
Permits are also not required at hand-carry-only boat launches, but hand carry users must pay launch fees at motorized boat ramps.
Click or tap to open a new window with an interactive GIS map of Motorized Boat Ramps and Hand Carry Boat Launches
For an alphabetical text list of Boat Ramps, Hand Carry Boat Launches, and Tie-Up Spaces, see the Shoreline Access List.