Getting your boat in the water is the first step in your Florida Keys boating getaway.
Warning--the overall feeling among boaters is that Keys boat ramps suck.
Many people will trailer to Key Largo and boat south. This allows you to avoid towing on US 1. Others will trailer to Marathon. This better allows travel to both the upper and lower keys from one central location.
In Key Largo check out the ramps at John Pennekamp State Park (U.S. 1 mile marker 102.) There is a fee. It may be best to launch there and rent a campsite where you can leave your truck/trailer overnight. Click here to see pictures of the boating facilities and launch ramp at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Be informed if you choose to use the single ramp at American Outdoor campground / RV resort (U.S. 1 mile marker 97.5). These observations were made using the ramp in June of 2002. I had heard that it is one of the deepest bayside ramps. The ramp pavement ended just after the waterline. The grade is uneven and caused my trailer may bottom out. When retrieving, the uneven grade can also make it hard to �float on� your trailer. There were rocks just off the end of the dock, which were easy to hit when backing out (I did, ruining my propeller� not a great start to my trip.) Push your boat well beyond these rocks before lowering your propeller. The dock length was short with few cleats on which to tie off. Space was limited in which to move your truck and trailer. There can be a lot of traffic and loose children around the ramp. The charge is $10 for each launch/retrieve cycle. There is a dollar charge to use a hose to rinse off your boat (coin operated.) Flushing engines are not allowed. The water pressure was extremely low when I attempted to use the wash-down station. There is no overnight parking (unless you�re camping there.) Experiences with this ramp might be better for those with shallower-draft boats and smaller trailers.
The two ocean-side ramps at Harry Harris County Park (mile marker 92.5 in Tavernier) look nice. There are only 20 spaces where you can park with a trailer. No overnight parking. Fees are charged on weekends.
Overall�don�t assume that there will be quality day use ramps available or places to park overnight. Know exactly where you will launch and park ahead of time. It�s ideal to find a hotel that has its own ramp, dock and overnight truck parking.