Set on Shoal River, Ray Lynn Barnes Public Boat Ramp offers Okaloosa County boaters a straightforward freshwater launch with a short run to productive water. It's a practical, no-drama ramp that does exactly what a good launch should. With 2 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- Okaloosa
- City
- Crestview
- Waterbody
- Shoal River
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 2
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- No Docks
- Parking surface
- Not Paved - Gravel/Limestone/Packed Soil
- Trailer parking
- 12
- Restroom
- No Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Okaloosa County
- Status
- Open for Business
Address: 3390 Hwy 90 East, Crestview, FL, 32539 · Coordinates: 30.753426, -86.509685
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Clean, drain, and dry your boat between freshwater launches to help stop the spread of invasive plants like hydrilla.
- 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 Pensacola, about 48 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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