Elmwood Township Marina

This isn't your typical unmanned ramp — the dock staff will actually help you launch and retrieve, which is huge if you're solo or new to trailering. Seven wide lanes with guide lines painted in, so even a first-timer can back down clean on the first shot.

Daily launch is $10 for a single axle, $20 for a double, and $25 for a triple. Seasonal passes have been climbing — went from $50 to $75 and now $150. One pass covers one vessel only, so if you want to run a jet ski too, that's another $75. Budget accordingly.

There are zero designated trailer parking spots at the marina. Non-tow vehicles get sent off-site to park, so plan your logistics around that. It keeps the facility from turning into a congested mess, but it means you need a driver to shuttle the truck and trailer after you drop the boat in.

Deep water at the ramp and wide lanes mean you can comfortably put in a 30-footer here. If you've ever tried Clinch Park launch in Traverse City with anything substantial, you know how tight and sketchy that gets — Elmwood is the answer. This is the go-to pull-out spot for bigger sailboats and cruisers on West Bay.

Cleanest restrooms you'll find at any public launch in Grand Traverse County, no exaggeration. Fish cleaning station is enclosed and refrigerated — they store entrails in sealed barrels so there's zero smell or flies. Landscaping, docks, everything is maintained like a private yacht club.