Providing visitors a safe and easy way to access your water trail is of the utmost importance. When developing access, you should involve experts who can provide information on legal matters, hydrology, riparian ecology, and other factors.

Below are two resources that will help you get started.

Logical Lasting Launches, produced by the National Park Service, offers detailed guidance in designing launches for a variety of access sites, general launch descriptions, materials, design specifications and variations, advantages and disadvantages of launch types, case studies, and photos.

Case Studies On Volunteer-Led Work by the Skunk River Paddlers, developed by the Iowa Water Trails Program, provides information on how to create sustainable launches on small to mid-sized rivers.