The location you clicked on is a site for launching boats from trailers. Boat ramps can normally be used to launch canoes and kayaks but please do your best to keep the boat ramp clear for boat trailers.

Site Name: Washington Street Boat Ramp

Town: Newport

Driving Landmarks: If coming across the Newport Bridge from Jamestown Island and the west side of the bay, take the first exit ("Scenic Newport") and turn right at the end of the ramp onto JT Connell Road, which becomes Farewell Street. In 0.3 miles turn right at the light onto Americas Cup Avenue and then look for a right turn onto Elm Street. The boat ramp is at the end of Elm Street.

If coming down Route 138 and Route 114 from the East Bay, continue on 114/138 when they merge. When Route 138 turns right onto Admiral Kalbfus Road do NOT make the turn. Instead, continue straight onto Broadway. You will pass the Newport Hospital on the left, followed by the Police Station on the right. At Newport City Hall, the next landmark on the left, take a right onto Marlborough Street (follow the sign for Newport Transportation & Visitors Center) and continue to the traffic light. Go right at the light onto Americas Cup Avenue and go one block and then turn left around the Transportation Center towards Goat Island. Go a few hundred feet and turn right onto Bridge Street. Follow Bridge Street for three blocks to its end and turn right onto Washington Street. The boat ramp is one block ahead on the left, opposite Elm Street.

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: concrete boat ramp

Float/Dock: high dock (over 1' above water)

Parking: on street, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Water 'Features' At Site: ocean/bay

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Comments & Overview:This concrete boat ramp in poor condition that provides access to Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. No parking is available at the ramp but there may be on street parking nearby depending on the time of day. Check the parking signs carefully for restrictions. Paid parking is available at the nearby Newport Gateway Visitors Center on Americas Cup Avenue a block south of Elm Street.

Newport Harbor is an interesting place to explore if you like looking at boats, but it is a busy harbor with very heavy marine traffic. Beyond the harbor is the East Passage, which is used by boats of all sizes, right up to naval warships and freighters. In addition to the ship traffic, the East Passage is open to wind and waves rolling in from Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

On most days the southwest wind fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows briskly throughout the afternoon, producing strong waves once you are outside of the immediate harbor area, so be prepared for this when planning your trip.

For more details see the full site report