Vernita RV Dump Station

We stopped here after staying at the Vernita Bridge boondocking spot less than a mile away (see our other review!). It’s a free dump station 💩 with a fresh water station as well. Easy in and easy out!

We did not stay overnight here because the RV parking area is right by the road and we opted for boondocking down the road. The sign here says no camping... maximum stay 8 hours. This leads me to interpret that you could come in late at night for truly a “rest” and head out 8 hours later. 😊

Clean, accessible RV dump with both potable and dump water. Looks like a quiet overnight rest stop.

Dump stations at Washington State rest areas are generally in decent condition. The heavily used dump stations are along major highways, like Interstates and other highways in higher population centers. You are almost guaranteed to wait in line on a busy weekend at the Interstate rest stops.

The Vernita Rest Area, located along highway 24 in Central Washington is basically in the middle of nowhere. Traffic here consists mostly of trucks moving agricultural produce and supplies to the rural towns of the area, along with vacation travelers and depending on the time of year, students commuting to and from Washington State University. RVers that are out here are often dry-camping or boondocking someplace, in the vast wilderness of Eastern Washington, like the nearby Vernita Bridge area.

There is one dump station which is located in a nicely graded concrete catch basin with curbs and a rinse hose. This rinse hose is not your potable water fill, that is located elsewhere. This is typical for most Washington rest area dump stations.

The rest of the rest area is also very typical Washington State gear. Flush toilets, running water, soap and hand dryers. Cleanliness is acceptable, better than at a rural gas station or under-maintained mini-mart, but the rest stops are pretty heavily utilized. Again, being in the middle of nowhere is good for this rest stop because it is less utilized than the frequently mentioned Interstate rest stops. This facility has been through a remodel in the past 10-15 years brining the restroom facilities up to similar standards that are found in other parts of the state.

Picnic tables, grass areas and parking are all sufficient for the size of the location. Big rig parking is more limited, but almost never totally full. The 8 hour stay limit is also typical of Washington State rest areas, however I’ve never been bothered or harassed by anyone when making an extended stay at a rest stop. Generally speaking the state patrol would rather you be asleep at a rest stop than tired and out on the road potentially being a hazard to yourself and others.

Looking to camp in this area, a Washington State Discover Pass area near the base of the Vernita Bridge is right “next door”. It is utilized mostly by boaters for access to the river, but anyone with a Discover Pass can camp out there. No services.

Free dump site and free potable water! Easy off and on access from the main road. Nice place!