Updated October 2, 2026 Manatee County, FL Free to launch

Every Manatee County Boat Ramp & Where to Park the Trailer

Where to put in across Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Palmetto and Parrish: lanes, trailer spots and hours for every public ramp, plus the parking rules people most often miss.

Find a ramp Parking rules

Ramp details come from Manatee County’s official ramp list. Ramps can close for repairs or storms, so check the county page for the ramp you’re heading to.

Public trailer ramps12 in and around the county9 county, 2 city, 1 state park

Launch feeFree at county rampsLake Manatee State Park: $9

Most trailer parkingKingfish · 62 spotsHolmes Beach, Anna Maria Sound

Overnight trailersNot allowedIn any county park (Ord. 23-121)

Where to launch

Public trailer ramps in Manatee County

Manatee County’s public ramps charge no launch fee. Lane and trailer-space counts come from the county’s site-verified ramp list (updated Sept 10, 2025). Tap a pin on the map for directions, or a ramp name for its county page.

Loading map…

County rampCity rampState park rampTap a pin for lanes, parking, hours and directions

Turn on JavaScript to use the map, or see the county’s ramp map.

County ramps

Ramp	Water	Lanes	Trailer spots	Hours	Good to know
Warner’s Bayou5800 Riverview Blvd, Bradenton	Manatee River	3	24	24 hours	Restrooms, fish cleaning, ice, kayak launch
Kingfish752 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach	Anna Maria Sound	3	62	Check posted hours	Staging dock, portable toilet
Coquina Bayside South1465 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach	Sarasota Bay	4	24	24 hours	Restrooms, fish cleaning, ice
Coquina Bayside North (Capt. Scott Moore)Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach	Sarasota Bay	2	20	24 hours	Fish cleaning, ice, portable toilet
Palma Sola CausewayManatee Ave W (Palma Sola Causeway), Bradenton	Palma Sola Bay	1	22	24 hours	Launch dock, portable toilet
State Road 643020 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton	Braden / Manatee River	2	14	24 hours	Staging dock, portable toilet
Highland Shores353 Shore Dr, Ellenton	Manatee River	1	8	24 hours	Staging dock, portable toilet
Fort Hamer Park1605 Ft. Hamer Rd, Parrish	Manatee River	1	8	Sunrise–sunset	Restrooms, pavilions, kayak launch
Jiggs Landing6106 63rd St E, Bradenton	Braden River / Ward Lake (fresh)	1	5	Sunrise–sunset (gated)	Restroom, restaurant · night gate card $30

City & state ramps

Ramp	Water	Lanes	Trailer spots	Hours	Good to know
Riverside Park (City of Palmetto)801 Riverside Dr, Palmetto	Manatee River	3	18	24 hours	Restroom, fish cleaning · fills early on busy days
Holmes Beach 63rd St ramp (City of Holmes Beach)6398 Marina Way, Holmes Beach	Anna Maria Sound	1	9	6 AM–10 PM	Fish cleaning, no restroom
Lake Manatee State Park (Florida State Parks)20007 SR 64 E, Bradenton	Lake Manatee (fresh)	2	17	8 AM–sunset	$9 launch fee · 20 HP max on the lake

Sources: Manatee County: Find a boat ramp and the county’s interactive ramp map. Kingfish’s posted hours differ between county sources, and the county map has listed Coquina North as both open and temporarily closed, so check the county page before you tow. The Palmetto and Holmes Beach city ramps and the state-park ramp come from the county ramp list; confirm with the city or park.

Before you tow

Parking rules at county ramps

Two county rules trip up a lot of boaters.

No overnight trailer parking

“Trailered vessels, whether or not attached to a vehicle, and unattached trailers of any kind shall not be parked overnight in any county park.” Source: Manatee County Ordinance 23-121

15 minutes on the ramp

Ramps and docks are for launching and retrieving only, and the same ordinance limits that to 15 minutes. Stage your gear in the lot, not on the ramp. (Ord. 23-121)

On the water

Florida rules every boater here needs

From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Manatee County Tax Collector.

Boater ID card

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 who operates a boat with 10 horsepower or more needs the Boating Safety Education ID Card, plus a photo ID. It doesn’t expire. (FWC)

Manatee zones

Manatee protection zones apply year-round on the Manatee and Braden rivers, Terra Ceia Bay, Anna Maria Sound, Palma Sola Bay, Sarasota Bay and the ICW. Check the county’s zone map before you go.

Safety gear

A wearable, USCG-approved life jacket for each person
Kids under 6 wear one while underway on boats under 26 ft
A throwable device on boats 16 ft and up
A sound-producing device on every boat

Full FWC equipment list

Registering your boat

All motorboats, and non-motor boats 16 ft or longer, must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Numbers go on both sides of the bow, at least 3 inches high. (Manatee County Tax Collector, FWC)

Fishing license

Florida residents: $17 annual saltwater license. The free resident shoreline license covers fishing from land or structures attached to land, but not from a boat. Residents 65+ and kids under 16 are exempt. (FWC)

Guide sponsor · Firkins Automotive

Towing the boat this weekend?

The right truck makes steep ramps and heavy trailers easy. Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is on US-41 in Bradenton.

Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 2700 1st St (US-41), Bradenton, FL 34208, just south of downtown
(941) 203-1405 · Directions

Ram trucks built to towRam 1500, 2500 & 3500 for ramps, trailers and bigger boats.Shop Ram Ram 2500 Heavy DutyFor heavier boats and long hauls to the ramp.See Ram 2500 Jeep GladiatorA pickup bed and open-air Jeep for smaller boats and kayaks.See Gladiator Used trucks & SUVsBrowse pre-owned tow vehicles in Bradenton.Browse used What’s your trade worth?Get a value for your current vehicle online.Value my trade Service before the seasonBrakes, tires and cooling: the parts towing works hardest.See service

Offers and inventory are set by Firkins Automotive and change often. See firkins.com or the dealership for current details.

Questions

Boat ramp FAQ

Do Manatee County boat ramps charge a launch fee?

No. Manatee County’s public boat ramps charge no launch fee. The exception nearby is Lake Manatee State Park, which charges $9 paid to an attendant.

Can I leave my trailer overnight at a Manatee County boat ramp?

No. Manatee County Ordinance 23-121 bans parking trailered boats and unattached trailers overnight in any county park.

Which Manatee County boat ramp has the most trailer parking?

Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach, with 62 trailer spaces according to the county’s ramp list.

Where can I launch into the Manatee River?

County ramps on the Manatee River include Warner’s Bayou (Bradenton), Highland Shores (Ellenton), Fort Hamer Park (Parrish) and the State Road 64 ramp. The City of Palmetto’s Riverside Park ramp is on the north bank.

Do I need a boating license in Florida?

Florida has no boating license, but anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must carry a Boating Safety Education ID Card to operate a boat with 10 horsepower or more.

Are there manatee speed zones near Bradenton?

Yes. Manatee protection zones apply year-round across the Manatee and Braden rivers, Anna Maria Sound, Palma Sola Bay, Sarasota Bay, Terra Ceia Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Official sources

Go straight to the source

Last updated October 12, 2026. Details change, and the offices above have the final word.