Complete Guide To RV Dump Stations In Washington State
Don’t be caught unaware; when you’re RVing, it’s vitally important to know where all the RV dump stations are near you! Although it’s not the most glamorous aspect of RVing, knowing how to properly use dump stations and keep your black and grey water tanks clean is paramount to having a pain-free (and mess-free) RV experience.
If you’re planning on a trip to Washington state, there’s no need to worry about finding places to stop. Thankfully, there are plenty of RV dump stations in Washington and its neighboring cities.
In our article today, we’ll be going over the ins and outs of everything dump station related— no pun intended. Plus, where to find RV dump stations in Washington state no matter where you are in the area.
Grab your sanitary gloves and sewer hose, and let’s get to it!
But First: How Do RV Dump Stations Work?
Before we get into the semantics of how to use a dump station properly, we have to get the golden rule out of the way first. Always remember to empty the black tank first. By emptying the grey water tank after the black tank, you’ll ensure that any residue leftover in the sewer hose is cleared out.
To empty your black and grey water tanks, you’ll first need to line up your RV with the dump station. With gloves on, attach the sewer hose to your RV using the transparent elbow; make sure that it’s firmly attached within the sewer dump inlet. Then, firmly attach the sewer end of the hose to the dump station’s drain. Open the black tank valve by pulling on the handle.
After this is done, close the black tank valve and open the grey water valve. When it’s done draining, you’ll be able to open the black tank valve again after the grey tank has been closed. Using the RV’s flush-out hose and the station’s water tap, you can now fully rinse out the black water tank and the sewer hose.
And that’s it!
Does My RV Come With A Sewer Hose?
If you’re buying an RV, it will not come with a sewer hose and you’ll have to purchase one. RV rentals should come with a sewer hose, but be sure to check with your RV’s host ahead of time just in case.
How Long Does It Take To Empty Black And Grey Water Tanks?
You should factor in at least a half hour to fully clean out and empty the tanks. For this reason, and also due to the fact that you can’t always count on an RV campground to have a dump station, we strongly recommend scheduling your dump station stops beforehand.
You don’t want to have a literal mess on your hands.
Where Can I Find RV Dump Stations?
The main sources for RV dump stations are in RV campgrounds/parks and in wastewater treatment facilities or transfer stations.
Although many RV campgrounds have dump stations on site, you shouldn’t assume that all will. Many campgrounds in state parks that have minimal to no hookups often don’t have dump stations, for instance. And while RV campgrounds typically allow guests free use of their stations if they do have them, people looking to use the dump station that aren’t staying at the park will be charged a fee.
Because wastewater treatment facilities and transfer stations can be found in the majority of cities, you don’t necessarily have to rely on RV campgrounds to provide a dump station for you. However, they are incredibly convenient if you’re staying overnight in them!
Where To Find RV Dump Stations In Washington State
Where To Find RV Dump Stations In Seattle
Although Miami is one of the most popular destinations in the US for RV travel, the city itself is notoriously sparse when it comes to RV campgrounds. As such, we’ve provided a list of places as close to Miami as you can get to access RV dump stations.
Evergreen RV Supply
Evergreen RV Supply is the closest RV dump station to Seattle. At 12 miles north in Shoreline and only 20 minutes away, Evergreen is handy for people that are coming in and out of the city. It costs $3.00 to use the dump station, and is open year round from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Lake Pleasant RV Resort
One of the closest RV campgrounds to Seattle, Lake Pleasant RV Resort provides free dump station use to registered guests. The park is located 20 miles outside of Seattle in Bothell, and also provides rinsing and potable water. The park is located at 24025 Bothell Way.
Issaquah Village RV Park
Issaquah Village RV Park is also a short driving distance from Seattle at 18 miles away in the town of Issaquah. The dump station is free for registered guests to use and otherwise costs $10. Rinse water and potable water are also available. The park can be found at 650 1st Avenue Northeast
Where To Find RV Dump Stations In Tacoma
Federal Way Rest Area
You can find an RV dump station on Mile 140 Northbound outside of Tacoma. The dump station is free to use at this Rest Area and located approximately 15 minutes outside of the city.
Dash Point State Park
Dash Point State Park is located 20 minutes from downtown Tacoma to the northeast. Use of the dump station is $5 for visitors passing through or free for registered guests. Dash Point can be found at 5700 SW Dash Point Road in Federal Way.
Sumner Sewage Treatment Plant
Southeast of Tacoma, the Sumner Sewage Treatment Plant provides free dump station use for the public. The facility is located at 13114 63rd Street East in Sumber, 20 minutes outside of Tacoma.
Where To Find RV Dump Stations In Spokane
Riverside State Park
One of the most popular parks in the Spokane region is Riverside State Park, which is 25 minutes drive northwest of the city. The state park provides free dump station use for registered guests or a $5 fee for non-visitors. The state park is open from mid-May to mid-September.
North Spokane RV Campground
One of the closest RV campgrounds to Spokane city center is North Spokane RV Campground, 23 minutes away. The campground provides free use of its dump station for registered guests and otherwise costs $20. The park is located at 10904 North Newport Highway in Spokane.
Spokane KOA Journey
The KOA brand’s home in Spokane is located at 3025 North Barker Road in Spokane Valley. The resort is loaded with all of the family friendly amenities that the brand is known for, and is conveniently located only 20 minutes drive from the city center.
Use of the resort’s dump station is free for registered guests. For outside visitors, inquire at Spokane KOA Journey’s website here.
There are plenty of RV dump stations in Washington due to the high popularity of the city as an RV destination! So no matter where you are on your trip, you’ll be all set as long as you plan accordingly. Make sure your RV rental is squared away and then get on the road!