Welcome to the ExploreRI Mapper
This mapper will help you locate boat launches and other points of interest to for small boat recreation throughout the state of Rhode Island. To get started, click anywhere on the map to zoom in on that area. To zoom out use the zoom control to the left of the map. Once you have zoomed in, boat launches and other points of interest will show up on the map as clickable red icons (see the key below the map). Click on an icon to get more information about that location. If you prefer to search by criteria or simply look up a site by name, try the boat launch search page. If you have a high-speed Internet connection (e.g., DSL or Cable), you may want to try our Google-based mapping system which also includes sites in the Narragansett Bay Watershed in Massachusetts.
KEY
Hand Carry Boat Launch
Boat Ramp
Portage
Other Type of Site
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: Colt State Park
Town: Bristol
Driving Landmarks: From Route 114 turn into the park entrance at the bronze bulls, a little over a mile north of downtown Bristol. At the rotary, go out the road that is opposite where you enter the rotary. As you approach the water, look for a right turn into the parking lot for the boat ramp.
ADA Accessible Boat Launch? yes
Shoreline: At low tide there may be some sand exposed, but otherwise, aside from the boat ramps, the shoreline is largely riprap.
Float/Dock: low float or dock
Parking: parking lot, 100 spaces
ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes
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:There are twin concrete boat ramps here as well as a nice dock. This site is popular for launching trailered boats, so if launching hand carried boats do your best to keep the ramps clear for boat trailers and leave clear the parking spaces designed for vehicles with trailers.
This site provides access to the east side of Narragansett Bay. Once on the water there is little shelter so if the wind kicks up you should be prepared for waves. This area in particular has a tendancy to be windy and rough. On most days the southwest wind fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows throughout the afternoon, producing significant waves, so be prepared for this when planning your trip. At high tide you can head under the stone bridge just south of the access site into Mill Gut. Rumstick Point and the entrance to the Warren River is 1 1/2 miles to the north. Popasqaush Point and the entrance to Bristol Harbor are 3 miles south, but be prepared for stronger currents and rougher water around Popasqaush Point. If you decide to head south you should also be aware that the main shipping channel, used by large vessels going to and from the Port of Providence, is only 1/4 mile off shore in places. If you are heading south around Popasqaush Point to Bristol Harbor, check out this Bristol Harbor Trail Map and Guide (PDF format).
For more details see the full site report
The data on this website comes from many sources, including volunteers and organizations across the state of Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. We have done our best to make sure the data are accurate and up to date, but any information critical to the success of your trip should be confirmed before you start. The maps and information on this website should not be substituted for nautical charts, topographic maps, or other more detailed maps and guides. We welcome corrections and additions. To send a correction or provide other feedback, please use our feedback form.
Credits: The data for the base maps was provided by the Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) and the Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The site data came from numerous sources and organizations. Much of it was collected through the hard work of volunteers for various conservation, watershed and outdoor recreation groups around the state of Rhode Island.