Fort Getty

41° 29.588' N    71° 23.827' 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:

Forty Getty State Park is one of the few places in the Bay where you can paddle to a campsite. The park and campground are owned and run by the Town of Jamestown. It is a popular site for boating, fishing, camping and swimming. Advanced reservations for camping are recommended. There are fees to enter the park in season. The boat ramp is asphalt and reported to be in good condition. Dutch Island Harbor, north of Fort Getty, offers interesting possibilities for exploration in sea kayaks. Both Dutch Island Harbor and the adjacent West Passage are relatively exposed and can get rough if the wind kicks up. On most days the southwest wind fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows briskly throughout the afternoon, producing strong waves, so be prepared for this when planning your trip.

Note that as of 2023 the town is charging $20/day to park at Fort Getty and $30/day to park a car with a trailer. Full details of the fees for using Fort Getty are available on the Fort Getty website.

This site provides access to the following water bodies: West Passage, Dutch Island Harbor.

Location:

Town: Jamestown

Nearest Town Center: Jamestown

Driving Landmarks: If coming from the west bay, cross the Jamestown bridge and take the North Main Road exit. Turn right onto North Main Road. In 2 miles North Main Road takes a slight bend to the right and becomes Southwest Avenue. Follow Southwest Avenue across the causeway, where it becomes Beavertail Road, and look for the entrance to the park on your right.

If coming from Newport, take the Jamestown exit (just after the toll booth). Turn right at the end of the ramp and go 0.4 miles to the T-junction with Conanicus Avenue. Turn left on Conanicus Avenue and follow it into the center of Jamestown and turn right on Narragansett Avenue. Go 0.4 miles to the junction with Southwest Avenue and turn left. Follow Southwest Avenue across the causeway, where it becomes Beavertail Road, and look for the entrance to the park on your right.

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? no

Shoreline: Asphalt boat ramp and nearby sandy beaches.

Float/Dock: low float or dock

Fees: Varies. See Fort Getty website for details.

Parking:

Parking: yes: overnight parking permitted

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: There are public restrooms at the park

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Site 28 in Ed Mullen's book "Kayaking Narragansett Bay"

Website: Mike Krabach's kayak access website

Website: Town of Jamestown web page for Fort Getty State Park

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

Fort Getty is a town park with restrooms, 100 camping sites and various other amenities.

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