1598 Marlboro Rd, Lothian, MD 20711, USA
Car Top Boat Launch is a small boat launch located at 1598 Marlboro Rd in Lothian, Maryland, within Anne Arundel County near the Patuxent River watershed.
No posted hours are available for this site, and there's no listed information on permits or launch fees, so boaters should plan to check locally or call ahead if they need confirmation before arriving.
As the name suggests, this launch is set up for car-top vessels like kayaks and canoes rather than trailered boats, so don't expect a paved ramp or bulkhead built for larger craft. Facility details beyond the launch itself aren't documented, and parking appears limited to roadside or a small adjacent area. The site sits at approximately 38.8115°N, -76.7105°W.
The surrounding area is rural and wooded, typical of the Marlboro Rd corridor in Lothian, with access leading toward tributary waters that eventually connect to the Patuxent River. Paddlers can expect quieter, more sheltered conditions here compared to larger public ramps designed for powerboats.
Best suited for: Kayakers, canoeists, and other car-top boat owners looking for a low-key, no-frills put-in rather than trailer-boat access.
What visitors say
Mixed reviewsCar Top Boat Launch offers convenient close-to-water parking with a floating dock and gravel ramp for kayak launches, though the shallow water at low tide requires planning around high tide cycles. The small parking lot can fill quickly on weekends and may overflow onto Route 4 shoulders, though drop-and-drive parking is available. The launch provides good access to the Patuxent River's upstream Back Channel and downstream Western Branch, with a portable toilet on-site, though the area lacks amenities like picnic tables and can feel crowded during peak fishing times.
Based on 13 Google reviews