Elk River Park Boat Launch (Upper Chesapeake)

[Jeff L24]

Has anyone used the Elk River Park Boat Launch near Elkton MD? We usually put in at the Rogues Harbor ramp on Elk Neck but it's a longer drive and can get busy (desite having 4 lanes).
I know the Elk River is very shallow north of the C&D Canal so that may keep most boaters away from Elk River Park. But if there is enough water at low tide for jet boats, it may be the perfect spot to launch with no crowds. These trips usually involve lunch at Chesapeake Inn and then anchoring on the Bohemia. Just need a better place to launch. Thanks!

 

[Kaiser211]

I was up there 1 time a few years back… very shallow unless in the channel and a lot of no wake speed made for a long trek out. Still may be better than the drive down to Rogues Harbor.
I went to go to the Chesapeake Inn and no place to dock. We went to Schaeffer’s instead. Any good times to go from your experience that isn’t as busy?

 

[Jeff L24]

I was up there 1 time a few years back… very shallow unless in the channel and a lot of no wake speed made for a long trek out. Still may be better than the drive down to Rogues Harbor.
I went to go to the Chesapeake Inn and no place to dock. We went to Schaeffer’s instead. Any good times to go from your experience that isn’t as busy?

If we are going to Chesapeake Inn by boat we always try to get three well before noon so we can get a spot. They have dock hands that will direct you and help you tie up.

So is there a marked channel in the upper Elk (north of the marinas) or does the channel end at the marinas?

I didn't realize that area was no-wake. Rogues Harbor can be choppy so I'd like to try Elk River Park unless it's dangerously shallow. I looked at the ramp in the Chesapeake City basin and it's not a very good option at all.

 

[TimW451]

I haven’t tried it. Looks like it was dredged within the past couple of years. Ramp looks like it is capable of good depth and boats of our size.

https://www.ccgov.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/8/220

 

[Kaiser211]

If we are going to Chesapeake Inn by boat we always try to get three well before noon so we can get a spot. They have dock hands that will direct you and help you tie up.

So is there a marked channel in the upper Elk (north of the marinas) or does the channel end at the marinas?

I didn't realize that area was no-wake. Rogues Harbor can be choppy so I'd like to try Elk River Park unless it's dangerously shallow. I looked at the ramp in the Chesapeake City basin and it's not a very good option at all.

When I went up it was out of triton marina (just south of the ramp your talking about) and up to there The channel was marked.

 

[bigb_99]

I used this last year and got a little out of the channel and was sunk in mud until the tide came up. If you stay on plane it should be fine but stay inside of the markings. The boat ramp is great for big boats and plenty of parking but its generally empty due to being so shallow. You will see tons of kayakers launching here. . I recommend you go a bit further down and use triton marina but they can run out of trailer parking if you don't get there before noon on weekends.

 

[Jeff L24]

When I went up it was out of triton marina (just south of the ramp your talking about) and up to there The channel was marked.

Can you pay a daily fee to launch out of Triton?