Overview
Boaters looking for public lake access near Horizon West will find two Orange County ramps in Windermere in the facts below: the boat ramp at R. D. Keene Park and the Lake Down Boat Ramp. They differ in important ways, especially parking and fees, so it pays to know which one fits a trip before hitching up a trailer. This guide covers what the county publishes for each. For other outdoor ideas, see the site's things to do page.
R. D. Keene Park boat ramp
R. D. Keene Park is in Windermere. The county's park page lists the details that matter most to someone planning a launch.
Hours
The park is open Sunday to Saturday. In summer the hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and in winter they are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Because the closing time changes with the season, check which schedule applies before planning a late afternoon outing.
Fees
Vehicles with trailers and motorized watercraft pay $5 per day to use the boat ramp. The county's note says to pay with exact change or check at the ramp, so bring the right amount rather than counting on getting change.
For frequent users there is also a boat ramp annual pass, which costs $150. The county's page says to see below on that page for details, so read the pass information there before buying.
Parking
The boat ramp has parking for up to 49 vehicles and trailers. That is a fixed number, so arriving earlier in the day gives a better chance of finding a space, though the county does not publish any guidance on busy times.
Boating courtesy
The county's guidance at the Keene Park ramp is direct: Mind your Wake! Boaters are asked to use caution and reduced speed to minimize wake near shorelines and structures. Wake can damage docks and shorelines, and slowing down near them is the simplest way to follow that request.
Lake Down Boat Ramp
The Lake Down Boat Ramp is at 9619 Conroy Windermere Rd in Windermere. The county's Lake Down page covers the basics.
Hours
The ramp is open Sunday to Saturday. In summer the hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and in winter they are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Note that these hours start later in the morning than the Keene Park hours.
Parking
The county posts a clear notice: there is no public parking at the Lake Down Boat Ramp. Anyone planning to launch there should not assume a place to leave a vehicle and trailer, and should look at the county page before going. If parking is a must, the Keene Park ramp, with its parking for up to 49 vehicles and trailers, is the one the county describes as having it.
Comparing the two ramps
- Location: both are in Windermere.
- Hours: Keene Park opens at 6:30 a.m.; Lake Down opens at 8 a.m. Both are open Sunday to Saturday, with longer summer hours and earlier winter closing.
- Closing times: both close at 8 p.m. in summer and 6 p.m. in winter.
- Parking: Keene Park has parking for up to 49 vehicles and trailers; Lake Down has no public parking.
- Fees: Keene Park charges $5 per day for vehicles with trailers and motorized watercraft, and offers a $150 annual pass. The facts here list no fee for Lake Down.
Planning tips
- Pick the ramp based on parking first, since Lake Down has none for the public.
- Check the season, because both ramps close earlier in winter.
- At Keene Park, bring exact change or a check for the $5 daily fee.
- If you launch often, look at the $150 annual pass details on the county page.
- Keep your speed down near shorelines and structures.
The county pages are the authority on rules, so read them again before each season, since hours and fees are set by the county and can be updated.
Who to contact
Both ramps are managed by Orange County Parks and Recreation. Its pages for R. D. Keene Park and the Lake Down Boat Ramp are the places to confirm hours, fees and notices before heading out.
Sources
Compiled from the official sources below.