Public Access Sites
Public boat ramps, like this one at Kiptopeke State Park in Virginia, are one way to access the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.
Public access points are places anyone can visit to swim, hike, paddle or simply enjoy the history and natural beauty of the Chesapeake. Providing access to natural areas helps the public build a connection with the rivers, forests and wildlife of the Bay watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay Program publishes the Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River & Tidal Tributaries Public Access Guide, which provides information on over 500 major public access sites in the Bay region. Users can find sites offering opportunities for boating, fishing, wildlife observation and beach use.
Below is our online version of the Public Access Guide. To find public access sites, simply click on a region. A window will pop open with all of the public access site for that particular region. Click on a site to learn about its amenities and to get get driving directions from your location.
Enjoy your time on the Chesapeake!
Data Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (2005); Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (2005); District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (2005); Pennsylvania's data is a subset of the Jan 2008 Public Access GIS data from PFBC (PA Fish and Boat Commission).
Other Ways to Explore the Bay: