Annawamscutt Dr.

41° 41.284' N    71° 14.551' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This 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.

Description & Overview:

See what others have said.

This site was extensively rebuilt by RI DEM in 2010 and 2011 and has been greatly improved. The site is accessed via a new road off the south side of Annawamscutt Drive. The road ends in a large paved parking lot with space for 49 vehicles with trailers and five trailerless vehicles. There is a new cement plank ramp that should be useable at all tides. There are floating docks on both sides of the ramp. The docks will be in from April to December each year. One of the docks provides a fully ADA-compliant route from the parking area to the water. A new four foot deep channel was dredged from the end of the ramp to deep water.

The site provides access to the west side of Mount Hope Bay. Following the shoreline north takes you to Bristol Narrows and the mouth of the Kickemuit River. Following the shoreline south takes you to Mount Hope Point and ultimately the Mount Hope Bridge. Mount Hope Bay is a large, open arm of Narragansett Bay and the shoreline in this area is straight and without any shelter, so caution should be exercised in small boats.

On most days the southwest wind fills in throughout this area in the morning and blows through the afternoon, producing significant waves, so be prepared for this when planning your trip. Mornings are often calmer and less windy, and so are usually a better time to paddle.

Especially around the points and in narrow areas such as under the Mount Hope Bridge the tide can interact with the wind to create particularly rough conditions.

If you are heading south under the Mount Hope Bridge, to Bristol Harbor, check out this Bristol Harbor Trail Map and Guide (PDF format).

This site provides access to the following water bodies: Mount Hope Bay.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Mount Hope Fishing Access

Town: Bristol

Driving Landmarks: From route 136 (Metacom Avenue) turn east onto Annawamscutt Drive. In about 0.9 miles look for a road on the right leading to the access site. If you come to the end of Annawamscutt Drive you have gone to far. There is access to the shore at the end of Annawamscutt Drive but it is not as convenient as at the boat ramp.

Access & Waters:

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.

Type of Access: Boat ramp

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? yes

Shoreline: The shoreline near the concrete plank boat ramp is cobble beach.

Float/Dock: low float or dock

Parking:

Parking: yes: 49 spaces

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

The shoreline boat north and south of this site is open to walking.

Comments:

Annawamscutt Use

Submitted by: Bob Ramos; October 20, 2024; 7:16 am

I have been boating in this area for many years and find this to be the best boat ramp. Because it is so good, it brings many boaters. Here are the issues...
Commercial entities use the ramp and often work on their boat while at the dock.
Some boaters launch their boats, then find that the engines will not start. Then begin repairs.
Many boaters are out of state.

The ramp should be used to launch and haul only. Once hauled, move your boat away to allow the next person to use the ramp. Maybe it can be monitored during peak usage.

Rating:

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