Hey looking for the location/name/directions of a boat ramp on the va side of the river up close to DC. Taking a cousin out on the river tomorrow and she wants the dc tour from the water. In the past I've made the run up from my normal launching spot (Pohick Bay). But I've been told multiple times theres a boat ramp right up there thats perfect. If anyone could fill me in that'd be awesome thank you!

Just did some google earth detective work looks like theres two possibities theres the "comlombia island marina" from above looked like it may not be a public ramp...and then more promising was a ramp at the end of reagan airport runway...think this may be the one my friend kept telling me to use, can anyone confirm this for me?

There is a ramp just north of National Airport.  It's called Roaches Run or Gravely Point.  You can only access it from the northbound lanes of the GW Parkway.  For tomorrow, I suggest you go early because that ramp will become a zoo very early in the day.

think my cousin was hoping for a late afternoon / evening cruise to avoid the heat...beats me what the ramp will be like i'm pretty set in my habits of pohick at 6 never had a problem...rarely done this afternoon launching nonsense. Think I'll find a spot to be able to launch and park my truck/trailer say around 3ish?

Another option is Belle Haven but that ramp sucks and there isn't much room on a normal day. You have to remember that everyone and their mother will be out in their boats tomorrow. Be prepared for lots of boat traffic, choppy water, and most likely a few idiots at whatever ramp you decide to use.

think my cousin was hoping for a late afternoon / evening cruise to avoid the heat...beats me what the ramp will be like i'm pretty set in my habits of pohick at 6 never had a problem...rarely done this afternoon launching nonsense. Think I'll find a spot to be able to launch and park my truck/trailer say around 3ish?

I highly doubt you will find much.  If you are there early, the second you move your truck and trailer to pull, 3 cars are in your spot.  Even in the 'Boats Only' parking area or on the grass.  But if you are not in a hurry, you might just have to look around for a while...  I was at Pohick yesterday, it was exactly like Dan said, EVERYONE was there.  People had to walk way up the road to get their trailers. 

There's also a ramp at Columbia Island. It's here http://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.87546,-77.049256&num=1&sll=38.87997,-77.10677&sspn=0.069506,0.128059&ie=UTF8&ll=38.875006,-77.050735&spn=0.007442,0.008336&z=17. You have to be coming South on the GW parkway to access it (unlike Gravely Point where you have to be going Northbound). It's actually very nice, but there's no real trailer parking... I generally unhook my trailer and take two spaces (but my trailer is easy to move around by hand). It's $5 to launch. Not sure how crowded it will be today. Sometimes even the dock master isn't there to collect the ramp fee...

Also, I've been hearing talk recently about DC boating regs requiring boat operators to have taken a boating safety class. You might want to investigate that just to be sure.

it was a zoo to say the least...and yea above the bridge you need a safety course best one (easiest) to take is the american boaters course cost like 15 bucks. can't wait for all the jet skis to be off the water