Ozello Park - John Brown Drive Airboat and Johnboat Sand Ramp anchors saltwater access on St. Martins Marsh - Salt River in Citrus County. It's a reliable jumping-off point whether you're wetting a line, running the flats, or simply logging a lazy afternoon on St. Martins Marsh - Salt River. With 4 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.

At a glance

County: Citrus
City: Crystal River
Waterbody: St. Martins Marsh - Salt River
Water type: Salt or Brackish Water
Ramp type: Stand Alone Ramp
Launch lanes: 4
Ramp surface: Sand, Dirt, Mud
Dock: No Dock
Parking surface: Not Paved - Gravel/Limestone/Packed Soil
Trailer parking: 14
Restroom: No Toilet
Fee required: No
Managed by: Citrus County
Status: Open for Business
Hours: 24 Hours

Address: 2045 S. John Brown Drive, Crystal River, FL, 34429 · Coordinates: 28.831418, -82.656116

Where it is

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Marker location from the FWC boat ramp inventory.

What to know before you launch

Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
There are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly before you head out.
Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.

Tides at the nearest station

The closest NOAA tide station is Cedar Key, about 31 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):

High tide

5:50 AM

3.352 ft (MLLW)

Low tide

11:26 AM

1.531 ft (MLLW)

High tide

5:03 PM

3.79 ft (MLLW)

Low tide

11:55 PM

0.348 ft (MLLW)

See the 7-day tide chart →

Gear for a day on St. Martins Marsh - Salt River

Heading out from Ozello Park - John Brown Drive Airboat and Johnboat Sand Ramp? A few essentials make any Florida launch smoother — a reliable chartplotter, a properly sized life jacket for everyone aboard, and a cooler that survives the heat.

Best marine GPS chartplotters — navigate the flats and channels with confidence.
Best life jackets (PFDs) — Florida law requires one per person aboard.
Best coolers for boats — keep your catch and drinks cold in the sun.

Ramp data from the FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission). Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS station 8727520. Conditions change — verify status locally before you go. This site is not for navigation.