Bert Maxwell Boat Ramp sits on St. Johns River - Trout River (jacksonville) and serves as a dependable saltwater access point for anyone launching in Duval County. Whether you're chasing a morning bite or just getting the family out for a cruise, it puts you on the water fast. 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
- Duval
- City
- Jacksonville
- Waterbody
- St. Johns River - Trout River (jacksonville)
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 4
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- Floating Dock
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 40
- Restroom
- Portable Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- City of Jacksonville
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- 24 Hours
Address: 500 Maxwell Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32218 · Coordinates: 30.403377, -81.663512
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.
- 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 Mayport (Bar Pilot Dock), about 14 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Gear for a day on St. Johns River - Trout River (jacksonville)
Heading out from Bert Maxwell Boat 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.