Perryville

Susquehanna River, Chesapeake Bay

This ramp, on the Susquehanna River just north of the US40 (Hatem) bridge, is owned by the Town of Perryville. You need a Perryville town permit to launch boats on trailers from here, although canoes and kayaks do not need a permit. There is a large paved parking lot (with overflow parking across the street) and permanent restrooms. The ramp provides access to the river channel that is east of Garrett Island, which is the opposite shore that you see, 1000 feet away. The wider part of the river, which carries more boat traffic, is on the far side of the island.

Garret Island is part of Cecil County and is also now a part of a national wildlife refuge. The island is off-limits to people except for a small area surrounding a sandy beach, pictured below, that is just across the channel from the ramp and a bit to the south (left). The sign there explains the restrictions of use.

For paddlers, Garrett Island is an easy trip around; a complete circumnavigation is less than 3 miles. Be careful at the northern tip — there are some rocks there that are barely submerged, even at high tide. That area is popular with people fishing from boats. Late in the summer, there is a heavy buildup of submerged vegetation off the south end of the island, which should be avoided.

Just north of the ramp, near the railroad bridge, are some derelict structures and a rusting old barge that are evidence of a more industrial past, which is why there is a 50-foot-deep channel here. Port Deposit is about three miles upriver. Like the two Havre de Grace ramps, the Perryville ramp provides good access to the Susquehanna Flats area of the northern Chesapeake Bay.

— GHK