Public Landings

Locations and Specifications

Cost of Annual Boat Trailer Permits
Resident - $30.00 (Application Form)
Non-Resident - $75.00(Application Form)
Three Day Trailer Permit - $30.00 (Application Form)

Send completed application and payment (payable Kent County Commissioners) to:
Kent County Environmental Operations,
Trailer Permits
709 Morgnec Road
Chestertown, MD 21620

* Soft Launch Only - Indicates that the landing does not have a concrete ramp.  Landing has sand/dirt surface to launch kayaks, canoes and small boats by hand.

* Soft Launch Only - Indicates that the landing does not have a concrete ramp.  Landing has sand/dirt surface to launch kayaks, canoes and small boats by hand.

Request for Use:
Civic Organizations, Towns and other agencies may request to use part of a public landing for specific activites.  Contact Environmental Operations division at 410-778-2600 or email tfletcher@kentgov.org to obtain information on requesting use of a public landing.

Rules and Permits

Cost Of Annual Boat Trailer Permits
Resident - $30.00 (Application Form)
Non-Resident - $75.00(Application Form)
Three Day Trailer Permit - $30.00 (Application Form)
Send completed application and payment (payable Kent County Commissioners) to: 
Kent County Environmental Operations,
Trailer Permits
709 Morgnec Road
Chestertown, MD 21620

Pursuant to bill no. 4-80 enacted into law on july 1, 1980, by the Kent County Commissioners, effective January 1, 1981, an annual permit will be required for all vehicle trailers using the public landings in Kent County.

Car-top boating (watercraft that is transported on top of car or in the bed of pickup truck) does not require a trailer permit. 

1. All trailers using the Kent County public landings must have a current sticker located on the trailer tongue, one foot from the hitch on the left side (driver's side). Kent County will not replace lost or damaged trailer permit stickers. A replacement sticker must be purchased and displayed on the trailer.

2. When purchasing a trailer permit, applicant must provide driver's license, trailer tag registration and vessel registration, and if out-of-state resident but own property in Kent County, must provide proof of ownership (such as property tax bill, receipt or deed).

3. Park in designated areas only.

4. No admittance between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

5. No camping, campers, or open fires.

6. Do not block ramps.

7. Do not dock in posted areas.

8. No person shall leave equipment or boats on a landing for more than fifteen (15) days.

9. No sunken vessel shall remain for more than five (5) days.

10. Violators of any regulation shall be fined $100.all fines and fees will be used for upkeep and maintenance of the public landings.

Three day permits are available for 3 consecutive days only. The cost is $30 each. They may be obtained from the vendors listed below.

Non-Resident Permits (Non-Resident is anyone who is not a Maryland resident, does not own property in Kent County, MD or does not have a boat registered in Maryland.  Non-Resident permits are available at a cost of $75.00) They may be obtained from the vendors listed below.

Resident permits (Maryland residents, Kent County, Maryland property owners, and/or persons who have their vessels registered in Maryland) may be obtained from the following vendors.
Maps are available at these vendors.

Mooring Buoys:
1. A permit is required for any mooring buoy within the waters of Kent County, Maryland. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 410.778.7439.

Request for Use:
Civic Organizations, Towns and other agencies may request to reserve part of a public landing for specific activities.  Click here for form.  Email request form to tfletcher@kentgov.org.

Transient and Rented slips

Transient Boat Slip Information:
1. Betterton is the only landing with transient slips. Transient slips are available on a first come, first served basis. There is no charge and transient vessels are only allowed a 72-hour stay.

Mean Low water depths range from 4' to 6'.

Rented Boat Slip Information:
1. Slips may be rented at Bayside Landing Park, Long Cove, Quaker Neck, Skinners Neck and Spring Cove Public Landings.
2. There are waiting lists for all rented slips. To be placed on a waiting list you must submit a written request (click here for form). You must own a boat to rent a slip and your boat must either be documented or registered in the state of Maryland.
3. Public Landings that have boat slips, their sizes, the fees,and the available services at each one are listd below.