The intent of this post is to create a wiki guide that any ‘trusted’ user can edit and update with current information on current regulations for paddling in different areas.
This resource has quite a bit of information but focuses more on powerboating.
If you have any information about current regulations on paddling in your area, please post them here. Be sure to include links to any resource you reference as well.
United States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
NY (and NJ and CT) reopened marinas for personal use as of Saturday, April 19. Social distancing rules remain in place. NO charter or rental services. Restaurants at marinas can open but can only serve take out or delivery. From article https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/n-y-n-j-connecticut-reopen-marinas-amid-calls-kick-n1187136
Quote third wk in April - " On Thursday, during Lamont’s daily update, Indra Nooyi, who is helping lead the Connecticut Reopen efforts said says COVID restrictions in the state won’t begin loosening until June and continue “to the end of the year.” Link for article - https://www.ctpost.com/news/coronavirus/article/Connecticut-s-coronavirus-restart-leaders-15201458.php)
Delaware
Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(Duvall County)
Beaches open (with limits) as of 4/17/20
FL ramp status
https://atoll.floridamarine.org/dle_gis/javascript/boat_ramp_status/
this seems to be kept up to date. eg: a few days ago Hanna Park was closed, now it’s open (when jax beaches opened)
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
As of 4/17/20, some beaches south of Portland closed. Boat launches open otherwise. Paddling permissible. Boat launch toilets closed. Folks coming from out of state must self quarantine for 14 days. Some state parks closed. The closed state parks and beaches include Reid State Park Popham Beach State Park Fort Popham Fort Baldwin Crescent Beach State Park, Kettle Cove State ParkTwo Lights State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park Ferry Beach State Park, Mackworth Island. Baxter is closed as well as several hiking areas in the mountains .
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
As of 4/17/20 Michigan state parks, recreation areas, trails and other state-managed lands remain open, provided all visitors adhere to the requirements for proper social distancing. Boating impacts: state harbors are closed through at least May 15. There will be no services available including bathroom buildings, electrical, fuel, pumpouts, etc and no slip reservations can be made. At this time, boat launches and parking lots at access sites remain open but fishing piers and vault toilets are closed.
Under the governor’s revised "Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-42, physical outdoor activity, such as kayaking, canoeing and sailing, remains permissible. See FAQ for details
Further FAQ re outdoor activities in Michigan can be found on the DNR’s website.
Minnesota
Mississippi
Gathered from various sources: MS Fish & Wildlife, Dept of Marine Resources (DMR), and Governor’s directives. The Governor supports individual exercise and family fishing (from shore or boat). However, almost all state parks and other public parks/beaches are closed. Boat ramps are open, however 6 foot distancing is required. Coastal beaches in the 3 southern most counties are all closed to all activity. Offshore barrier islands of the Gulf Islands National Seashore are all closed to visitors - fishing the waters by boat is allowed in accordance with other distancing rules.
Result for paddlers is: only launching/recoving is from an established boat ramp, private dock/property, or a rough makeshift launch. All beaches are still closed as of 4/17/2020/
Confusing issue for those in South Mississippi is DMR announced a “no boating” edict at the outset of the “stay at home” order which is different than the Governor’s directive. Apparently the “no boating” means no boating for partying purposes since inshore and offshore fishing & paddling is going strong. However that is my non-legal interpretation (and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night).
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
State of emergency extended 21 more days on April 24. Stay at home order effective thru May 4 w restrictions on gatherings and businesses.
New Jersey
NY (and NJ and CT) reopened marinas for personal use as of Saturday, April 19. Social distancing rules remain in place. NO charter or rental services. Restaurants at marinas can open but can only serve take out or delivery. From article https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/n-y-n-j-connecticut-reopen-marinas-amid-calls-kick-n1187136
New Mexico
New York
NY (and NJ and CT) reopened marinas for personal use as of Saturday, April 19. Social distancing rules remain in place. NO charter or rental services. Restaurants at marinas can open but can only serve take out or delivery. From article https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/n-y-n-j-connecticut-reopen-marinas-amid-calls-kick-n1187136
No official word on state boat launch change, but have seen boats on the water at a smaller state park for two weeks running now with no interference. Everyone respecting distancing.
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
The public boat landings and ramps in South Carolina reopened by order of the governor at noon on Friday April 17th.
The revision specifies that public boat landings and associated parking areas can now be opened at the discretion of the local government or other managing authorities of those landings.
The order also authorizes the managing authority of any public landing to close or otherwise restrict public access to that public boat ramp or landing if they determine that such action is necessary to preserve or protect public health
The revision does NOT address other facilities often co-located at public landings such as restrooms, piers, docks or designated bank fishing areas. Those types of facilities remain closed. The revision to Executive Order 2020-16, Section 1© reopens public boat ramps, landings and parking lots only for the limited purpose of launching and retrieving boats. Public beach access points remain closed.
The beaching or rafting of boats, whether on a sandbar, lakeshore, riverbank, or island, remains prohibited for the duration of the State of Emergency.
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Posted 4/22/2020
The governor has directed the closing of DNR managed state properties, including boat ramps for most of the southern portion of the state. Details and a link to a map are here:
Posted 4/30/2020
Selected parks and State Forests are being reopened. Fees will be charged. No bathrooms open. Info below:
