Launch Sites, Balitmore County

Dundee Creek Marina

A State park facility in the Gunpowder Falls State Park. No fee, access to Gunpowder Creek, a launch site to cross to the E Shore.

Directions: North on I95 from Baltimore to MD43. MD43 east to US40 then north about 1/4 mile to Ebenezer Rd and East again. Ebenezer Rd runs out to the Marina, about 7 miles.

Rocky Point Park

A County facility. Access to Hart Miller Island, Back River etc. No fee. Launch from the beach when there is no swimming - after Labor Day to before Memorial Day. Otherwise use the boat ramps.

Directions: North on I95 to I695 north of the city. East on I695 to MD 702. Follow MD702 about 9 miles, look for Barrison Pt Rd on the Left then 1/4 mile to a right on to Rocky Point Rd.

Merritt Point Park

A County facility. Access to Bear Creek and on to the outer Baltimore harbor at the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Fort Carroll. No fee.

Directions: I695 to the East towards the Key Bridge. Cross Key Bridge. The second exit after the Bridge is less than a mile and is for MD157, Peninsula Expressway. Take that West approximately one mile to 2nd light, Merritt Blvd and turn left. Turn left at the next light - one block - on Dunmanway Ct and follow it 1/4 mile to the park.

Canton Waterfront Park or Korean War Memorial

This is a Baltimore City park with a boat ramp. It is on the outer edge of the "inner harbor" and is a good launch to see "the Tall Ships" or the inner harbor, or to visit Ft McHenry. No fee.

Directions: Go north through the Ft McHenry tunnel. Take the Boston St exit and go west on Boston Street less than a mile.

Fort Armistead Park

A City run park. Access to Patapsco River at the outer harbor, Ft Carroll, or around to Curitis Bay, and up to Marley Creek. Look both ways if you're crossing the shipping channel to Ft Carroll. Mostly for pier fishing, but there is a pebble beach to launch.

Directions: Follow I 695 south of the city going east - the "outer loop". Exit One is the last exit before the Key Bridge. Exit there on Quarantine Rd turn right and immediately go left onto Hawkins Point Road then turn left almost immediately onto Ft Armistead Road. Then it’s less than 1/2 mile to the park. Bear left in the park.

Fort Smallwood Park

A historical coastal defense facility that was donated to Baltimore City and is actually located in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The park is not well kept (under-funded?), but it is a jewel more noted for bird watching and shoreline fishing. There is a moderately good sand beach (old swim beach) located on the western side of Rock Point in what is actually Rock Creek.

Directions:(ADC Map Book Anne Arundel Co. pg: 10 B-2) From Md. Rt. 2 just south of Pasadena take Magothy Bridge Road (Md. Rt. 607) east and north until it joint Fort Smallwood Road (MD Rt. 173) stay to the Right (East and then North) and proceed to the road end. There is a small guard shack and it cost about $5 per car to enter. Once in the park the loop road circles counter clockwise. Follow the road around to the west side of the park. Note the sand beach area located to the west of a rock jetty. You can park as close as you dare to the sand, off load for a short carry and relocate the car to a better parking area if you wish. People do park closer to the water.

There are porta-john facilities in the area. Again be prepared for an area that is a bit trashy. Fort Smallwood Park Website.

North Point State Park

This park has a moderately good sand beach that faces the open Chesapeake. Back when Trolleys were the urban mode of transportation, the trolley line ended at an amusement park at North Point. There is a $ 2 entrance fee. You can drive your car down to near the beach for a short carry, but you will need to park your car in the parking area.

Directions:(ADC Baltimore City Co. MapBook pg 46 K-9) From I-695 at Exit 43 proceed south and east on MD. Rt. 158. The route is well marked with signs. At North Point Road (MD Rt. 151) turn right (South) and continue through the town of Edgemere past Millers Island Rd. until the park entrance on the left. North Point State Park Website.

10th St. Road End ? Millers Island

While on your way to North Point State Park you will pass the east turn off to Millers Island. This thin neck of land contains mostly beach type houses, a few marinas and restaurants. However, it is one of the few places on the bay that I have found that waterfront street ends are public The County of Baltimore has put up parks and rec. signs. Most of these road ends from 1 to 12 have been ?Usurped? by the locals but there are two good ones. The first is the 10th St. Road End and it is located on the north (Back River) side of Millers Island. Parking is scarce and you have to be a bit creative. But it is a short carry to a nice small sand beach.

Directions:(ADC Baltimore City County MapBook Pg 46 C-10) From North Point Road, take Miller Island Road east. At the White Swan Restaurant (on right) turn left (North) on 10th street. Proceed one block to end.

2nd St. Road End ? Millers Island

This road end is very similar to the 10th Street road end mentioned above but is not quite as nice.

Directions:(ADC Baltimore City County MapBook Pg46 D-9) Same as above but continue to 2nd Street and turn left to end. Also note that Bills Boats located on the right hand side of the main drag has been reported to have a ramp.