Best Boat Ramps in Texas
Top public boat ramps in Texas — from Lake Sam Rayburn and Lake Travis to Galveston Bay. Find free launches with trailer parking across the Lone Star State.
Best Boat Ramps in Texas
Texas has an enormous variety of boating destinations — from massive reservoirs like Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend to the coastal bays of Galveston, Corpus Christi, and the Lower Laguna Madre. With over 600 public boat ramps across the state, Texas anglers and boaters are well-served.
East Texas: Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend
Lake Sam Rayburn is the largest lake entirely within Texas and one of the top bass fishing destinations in the country. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains multiple free public ramps including San Augustine County Park Ramp and Cassells-Boykin State Park Ramp near Zavalla. Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Louisiana border offers massive striped bass and largemouth bass fishing with free ramps at Pines Harbor Marina and North Toledo Bend State Park.
Central Texas: Lake Travis and Highland Lakes
The Highland Lakes chain — Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin — provides recreation for Austin-area boaters. Mansfield Dam Park on Lake Travis offers two free ramps with good access to the main body of the lake. Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point is another popular Lake Travis launch with trailer parking. Lake Buchanan's Cedar Point Ramp gives access to the lake's trophy striped bass fishery.
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Houston and Galveston Bay
The Houston area offers access to some of the best saltwater fishing on the Gulf Coast. Sylvan Beach Park Ramp in La Porte provides free access to Trinity Bay and Galveston Bay. Baytown Nature Center Ramp is a free city ramp with Galveston Bay access. For Galveston Island, Offatt's Bayou Boat Ramp provides good access to the bay system.
Corpus Christi and South Texas
Corpus Christi Bay and the Laguna Madre are legendary for redfish and speckled trout. Cole Park Ramp in Corpus Christi is a city ramp with Corpus Christi Bay access. Port Aransas Boat Ramp near the jetties gives Gulf access for offshore anglers.
North Texas: Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma straddles the Texas-Oklahoma border and is one of the top striped bass fisheries in the nation. The Army Corps maintains several free ramps including Eisenhower State Park Ramp near Denison and Preston Bend Ramp off Highway 289.
Tips for Boating in Texas
- Texas Boat Registration — All motorized boats must be registered with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- Lake levels fluctuate — Texas reservoirs can drop significantly during drought years. Check current lake levels before trailering long distances.
- Wind on open lakes — Lakes like Sam Rayburn and Texoma can produce dangerous whitecaps quickly. Check the live wind data on RampFinder before launching.
- Safety first — Run through the boat ramp safety checklist before every launch.
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