Stan Sayres Memorial Park
Stan Sayres Boat Ramp mostly closed
Stan Sayres Boat Ramp is mostly closed in preparation for repair work. The first stage will replace the northern section of the boat ramp, beginning in September 2026. For more info, please see Stan Sayres Boat Ramp Replacement Project.
During the Stan Sayres Boat Ramp closure, limited launching is allowed for boats and vehicles that can fit between the block barriers to use just the central portion of the ramp.
See seattle.gov/parks/boating for other ways to get out on the water in Seattle. The other motorized boat launches on Lake Washington are Atlantic City Boat Ramp (Rainier Beach) and Magnuson Park Boat Launch (Sand Point).
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About
Stan S. Sayres Memorial Park (also known as "Sayres Pits" because of its association with Seattle's annual Seafair Hydroplane Races) is located a mile south of the Interstate 90 Bridge on Lake Washington. Stan Sayres is also the home of the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center. A north-facing point, Stan Sayres offers four wide launching lanes which are usually protected from rough water. Additionally, if the weather is clear, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker.
Stan Sayres has many boat launches! The small craft float is located to the west of Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center. Priority use for these floats is reserved for Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation programs. No tie-up is permitted and boats must be attended at all times.
The motorized boat launch at 3800 Lake Washington Blvd. S, on the east side of the peninsula by the parking lot.
Finger piers on the west side of the peninsula are available for hand launch. Tie-up is permitted for up to 2 hours and power boat launching is not permitted.
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.
Launch 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 ($12)
Day use permits are $12 per day, sold on the PayByPhone app. Maximum stay 5 days (4 nights). The Washington State Parks Discover Pass is not valid at boat ramps in Seattle.
Annual Boat Launch Permits ($150 / Scholarship-eligible price $75)
Annual Boat Launch Permits are good from January 1-December 31. You may purchase an annual permit 4 ways:
- PREFERRED: Purchase an Annual Boat Ramp Permit on ActiveNet
- 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.
Launch Permits are not required at:
The boat ramps on the Ship Canal which have little to no parking:
Hand Carry Boat Launches (see map and list below).
However, hand carry users must pay launch fees at motorized boat ramps on Lake Washington and Puget Sound.
Click or tap to open a new window with an interactive GIS map of Motorized Boat Ramps and Hand Carry Boat Launches
https://maps.seattle.gov/Boat-Ramps-and-Launches-Map
For an alphabetical text list of Boat Ramps, Hand Carry Boat Launches, and Tie-Up Spaces, see the Shoreline Access List.