6 verified public launches
Public Boat Launches Near Chicago
Trailer-in access from the Chicago lakefront to Wisconsin and the Fox River chain. Launch fees, permits, and stickers are set by the operating agency — we link you to the page that publishes them.
Before you go: Verified from official sources; operational details change — always confirm with the linked source.
Finding a ramp near Chicago
Public launches below are verified against municipal, park-district, county, or state sources. We publish a launch page only when that official listing exists — incomplete tips stay out of the index.
Before you tow: confirm fees and stickers on the linked source, check marine weather, and read the matching destination page for harbor context. Lake Michigan ramps and inland-chain ramps follow different agencies and rules.
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Lake Michigan
Lincoln Boat Launch — Montrose Harbor
Chicago Park District motorized boat launch at Montrose Harbor on the north lakefront.
Chicago Park District — Lincoln Boat Launch Montrose Harbor · verified Aug 25, 2026
Burnham Boat Launch — Burnham Harbor
Chicago Park District boat launch serving Burnham Harbor near Museum Campus.
Chicago Park District — Burnham Boat Launch Burnham Harbor · verified Aug 25, 2026
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Lake Michigan
Waukegan Harbor Launch Ramps
Public launch ramps at Waukegan Harbor & Marina. Daily and season pass fees are published on the marina’s official launch page.
Waukegan Harbor — Launch Ramps · verified Aug 25, 2026
Chain O' Lakes, IL
Illinois · Chain O' Lakes / Fox River
Chain O' Lakes State Park Boat Launch
Public launch at Chain O' Lakes State Park in Spring Grove. Fox Waterway Agency and IDNR materials describe park launching with separate waterway user-fee sticker requirements for boats on the chain.
Fox Waterway Agency — Where can I launch? · verified Aug 25, 2026
Lake Geneva, WI
Wisconsin · Geneva Lake
Fontana Public Boat Launch
Village of Fontana public boat launch on Lake Avenue (Geneva Lake). Official village page publishes resident and non-resident fee tables and notes 24-hour ramp access with an honor box when unstaffed.
Village of Fontana — Public Boat Launch · verified Aug 25, 2026
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Lake Michigan
McKinley Marina Boat Launch
Public launch at Milwaukee County’s McKinley Marina. County Parks states launch permits also cover South Shore Park, Bender Park, and Riverfront launch sites.
Milwaukee County Parks — McKinley Marina · verified Aug 25, 2026