It just got easier to enjoy Baltimore’s Inner Harbor waters.
City and state leaders, as well as leaders from the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, on Friday opened the first public kayak launch in Baltimore’s harbor.
“Our waterfront is one of Baltimore’s greatest assets,” Mayor Brandon Scott said. “Investments like this create new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic activity while making the harbor more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors alike.”
Located at Rash Field Park, the new ADA-accessible launch provides residents and visitors with a dedicated place to access the water in a kayak and other paddlecraft.
Don’t have your own boat or equipment? No problem.
There are also now two new self-service kayak rental stations, located at Rash Field in the Inner Harbor and Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point. Residents and visitors can use a mobile app on their smartphones to rent and unlock a kayak.
“There is nothing like experiencing Baltimore from the water, and the Inner Harbor is the perfect starting point to explore our city,” said Dan Taylor, president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. “Creating more opportunities for people to have that experience helps strengthen our connection to the harbor and supports a more vibrant and inclusive waterfront for everyone.”
The new kayak launch and rental stations are part of the city’s Baltimore Blueway initiative to create a 30-miles network of water trails and public access sites along the Baltimore waterfront.
The Baltimore Blueway Master Plan was adopted in 2023. Since then, public and private partners have been expanding opportunities to kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and more on Baltimore’s waterways.
“Projects like this build on years of progress toward a healthier harbor,” said Adam Lindquist, vice president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. “Improving water quality and expanding public access go hand in hand. As conditions continue to improve, we’re creating more opportunities for people to paddle, explore, and experience Baltimore’s waterfront firsthand.”
In fall 2023, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore declared that the city’s harbor was finally safe enough to swim in under the right conditions.
The following summer, in June 2024, the partnership hosted its inaugural Harbor Splash event, the first public swim in the Inner Harbor in four decades.
This year, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore announced pop-up swimming events. Those who wish to participate in one of the pop-ups can sign up for the Harbor Splash newsletter for updates on when the next swimming event is and get priority access to registration.
