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Ontario Boat Ramps › Hamilton & Burlington Boat Ramps

Hamilton Harbour & Burlington Boat Ramps — 2026

Public boat launches in Hamilton Harbour, Cootes Paradise, and Burlington on Lake Ontario. Ramp locations, fees, and access rules for Hamilton-area boaters.

PCL Requirement Reminder

All motorized pleasure craft must display the Pleasure Craft Licence number on both sides of the bow in block letters, minimum 75 mm (3") tall, contrasting colour — Transport Canada SOR/2010-91. Hamilton Harbour Coast Guard and Hamilton Harbour Police enforce this. Get compliant marine vinyl decals →

Hamilton Harbour Boat Launches

Public and semi-public boat ramps in Hamilton Harbour. The harbour is overseen by the Hamilton Port Authority — stay clear of the commercial shipping channel.

Hamilton Harbour Notice: Hamilton Harbour is an active commercial port. Pleasure craft must avoid the shipping channel and follow Hamilton Port Authority navigation advisories. During harbour dredging or vessel movements, pleasure craft may be asked to hold position by Coast Guard radio (VHF Ch. 16).

Pier 4 Park Boat Launch

Hamilton Harbour · North Shore
Fee:Fee City of Hamilton daily fee
Ramp:Concrete ramp, suitable for mid-size trailered boats
Parking:Pier 4 Park lot off Bay Street N — ample trailer parking
Access:Seasonal. Near HMCS Haida and Hamilton waterfront
Address:1 Discovery Drive, Hamilton (Pier 4 Park)
Notes:Most accessible public launch in Hamilton Harbour; direct access to Lake Ontario via the harbour channel

Confederation Park Boat Launch

Stoney Creek · Lake Ontario
Fee:Free No launch fee (City park)
Ramp:Concrete ramp on Lake Ontario east of the harbour cut
Parking:Large Confederation Park lot — good trailer space
Access:Year-round when ice-free. Open Lake Ontario exposure — check wind/wave forecast
Address:Confederation Park, Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton (Stoney Creek)
Notes:Free and open — one of the best access points on the Hamilton waterfront for trailered boats

Van Wagners Beach Boat Ramp

Hamilton Beach Strip · Lake Ontario
Fee:Free No formal fee
Ramp:Informal launch at Beach Blvd — small boats and PWC only
Parking:Limited roadside parking on Beach Blvd
Access:Year-round, hand-carry access also available for kayaks/canoes
Address:Beach Blvd (Hamilton Beach Strip), Hamilton
Notes:No formal dock facilities; best for small trailered boats or PWC

Burlington Boat Launches

Public and marina boat ramps in Burlington on Lake Ontario.

LaSalle Park Marina Boat Launch

Burlington · Lake Ontario inlet
Fee:Fee City of Burlington seasonal and daily rates
Ramp:Concrete ramp in sheltered marina basin, double-lane
Parking:LaSalle Park lot off Plains Rd W — good trailer parking
Access:Seasonal (May–October). Sheltered from west winds — easier launch than exposed Lake Ontario
Address:60 LaSalle Park Rd, Burlington (off Plains Rd W)
Phone:905-335-7777 (City of Burlington Parks)

Burlington Lift Bridge Launch Area

Burlington Canal · Lake Ontario channel
Fee:Free Public access
Ramp:Beach / informal hand-carry access near canal mouth; not a formal trailer ramp
Parking:Lift Bridge Park area, limited
Access:Hand-carry kayaks, canoes. Motorized boats must use lift bridge channel — stay clear of ship traffic
Notes:Burlington Canal is a controlled navigation channel. Commercial ships use this route. Pleasure craft must respect traffic patterns and VHF Ch. 16 instructions.

Cootes Paradise — Non-Motorized Access

Cootes Paradise is a protected marsh at the west end of Hamilton Harbour. Motorized access is restricted. Non-motorized canoe and kayak access is permitted with HRCA permits.

No Motorized Boats in Cootes Paradise: The Hamilton Region Conservation Authority (HRCA) restricts motorized vessel access to Cootes Paradise to protect the marsh restoration project. Carp barriers control species entering the marsh. Canoes and kayaks may enter via Cootes Paradise Canoe Rentals (located in Westdale) or via designated HRCA access points. No trailer launches into Cootes Paradise are available.

For non-motorized access, contact: Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) at barc.ca or call 905-525-2181 ext. 128.

Boat Registration Decals — Required on Hamilton Harbour

Every motorized pleasure craft on Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario must display its Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) number on both sides of the bow. Minimum 75 mm (3") tall block letters, contrasting colour to hull. Marine-grade vinyl decals hold up to sun, salt spray, and seasonal docking — 5-year outdoor guarantee.

Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations SOR/2010-91 · Last Verified March 2026
Order Compliant
Decals →

Frequently Asked Questions — Hamilton Boat Launches

Where is the best public boat launch in Hamilton?
Confederation Park in Stoney Creek (east end of Hamilton) offers a free concrete ramp with good trailer parking and direct Lake Ontario access. For Hamilton Harbour access, Pier 4 Park charges a fee but puts you directly in the harbour near the waterfront district.
Can I launch a boat in Cootes Paradise in Hamilton?
No motorized boats are permitted in Cootes Paradise. The HRCA protects this marsh with restricted access. Non-motorized paddlers can access the marsh via designated HRCA entry points. Contact the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority for current permit requirements.
What are the boating rules in Hamilton Harbour?
Hamilton Harbour is governed by the Hamilton Port Authority. Pleasure craft must: stay clear of the commercial shipping channel, follow posted speed limits (5 km/h in the inner harbour), maintain PCL numbers on bow (75mm minimum), carry all required safety equipment, and monitor VHF Ch. 16 for port authority communications.

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