A rope cleat including at least rope abutment and at least one cam mounted on a flat base surface. The cam is spring biased to rotate toward an abutment surface. A cover is positionable over the cam and abutment such that, in one position, the rope is restrained from inadvertent withdrawal from between the cam and abutment and in another position permits quick engagement and withdrawal of the rope from between the cam and abutment. One version of the invention is a sliding cover. Another version of the invention is a cover that is rotatable between the retain and withdrawal positions. Yet another version is a flip up cover. In one embodiment, a single cam-abutment-cover assembly is mounted on the base surface. In another embodiment, a cam-abutment-cover pair is mounted on the base surface. In another embodiment, a cam-cam-cover is mounted on a base surface where the cams rotate toward each other to secure the rope. In yet another embodiment, a cam-cam-cover is mounted on a base surface where the cams rotate toward the same abutment but start 180.degree. from each other on the same pin or two pins in line with the abutment. In this embodiment, once the rope is between the cams and the abutment it is prevented from moving in either direction until disengaged. The principles of the quick release cover of this invention are applicable to a plurality of cam-cam, abutment-cam combinations.