Best boat ramps near Ames
19 boat ramps · 19 ranked · updated 2026-07-15 · off-season
Explore the best boat ramps near Ames, Iowa — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.
Showing the top 15 of 19 boat ramps · best 15 shown on the map
N⛰
#1
North Peterson Park Access
Prime
4.3 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - South Skunk River Near Ames· Patchy Fog · 68°F
North Peterson Park Access is a public boat launch on South Skunk River in Story County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and…
Why 53: live conditions (prime)
53Solid
D⛰
#2
Dogwood Ramp
16.4 mi away
Dogwood Ramp is a public boat launch on Des Moines River in Boone County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and buoys, alongside a…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
B⛰
#3
Big Creek Wildlife Area
17.0 mi away
Big Creek Wildlife Area is a public boat launch on Little Creek in Polk County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and buoys…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
W⛰
#4
Waterworks Ramp (Downstream)
18.1 mi away
Waterworks Ramp (Downstream) is a public boat launch on Des Moines River in Boone County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
W⛰
#5
West Riverside Road Story County
Prime
2.9 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - South Skunk River Near Ames· Patchy Fog · 68°F
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the West Riverside Road Boat Ramp in Story County is a concrete boat ramp that provides access to the South Skunk River. It…
Why 49: live conditions (prime)
49Rated
W⛰
#6
Waterbury Circle Ames
Prime
3.4 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - South Skunk River Near Ames· Patchy Fog · 68°F
Waterbury Circle in Ames, Iowa offers hand-carry only access to the water—there is no formal boat ramp (concrete, gravel, or dirt) available. The site is suitable for kayaks…
Why 49: live conditions (prime)
49Rated
2⛰
#7
250th Street Story County
12.0 mi away
250th Street in Story County, Iowa, provides a hand-carry-only water access point along the South Skunk River. There is no developed ramp—no concrete, gravel, or dirt launch—so it…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
2⛰
#8
255th Street Story County
12.5 mi away
255th Street in Story County, Iowa, offers a hand-carry only boat launch with no developed ramp—suitable for kayaks or canoes. There is no formal concrete or gravel ramp, and…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
N⛰
#9
Northwest 150th Avenue Polk County
16.0 mi away
Northwest 150th Avenue in Polk County, Iowa, offers a hand-carry only boat launch with no developed ramp—suitable for kayaks, canoes, or small watercraft. There is no concrete or…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
L⛰
#10
Little Wall Lake South Access Hamilton County
16.3 mi away
The Little Wall Lake South Access boat ramp in Hamilton County, Iowa is a concrete boat ramp that is 16 feet wide. It services Little Wall Lake, which is a 286-acre lake located…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
O⛰
#11
Opal Lane Boone County
16.7 mi away
Opal Lane in Boone County, Iowa, offers a hand-carry only boat launch on the Des Moines River, best suited for kayaks and canoes. There is no formal ramp—no concrete or gravel…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
N⛰
#12
Northwest Madrid Drive Polk City
17.3 mi away
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the boat ramp named Northwest Madrid Drive Polk City is a concrete boat ramp that is 18 feet wide. This boat ramp provides…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
N⛰
#13
Northwest Madrid Drive Polk City
17.3 mi away
Northwest Madrid Drive in Polk City, Iowa offers a concrete boat ramp on the west side of Saylorville Lake, providing trailer-friendly access suitable for most vehicles—4x4 not…
Why 40: public ramp & water access
40Rated
Boat Ramps near Ames
The Ames area has 19 boat ramps on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.
How we rank the best boat ramps near Ames
How are these boat ramps ranked?
Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.
How often does it update?
Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.
What do the numbers on the map mean?
Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.