Where to Dump Your Black Tanks in California
It’s a fact: Everyone goes No. 2. (And RVers everywhere love to talk about it.) But, if you ask RVers who goes #2 in their RV toilet versus who uses the campground bathroom to do their business, you likely stir up the …well, black tank. Now, if you are in the former category, it’s always good to have a few key resources in your back pocket, especially if you’re looking for somewhere to dump your black tanks in California. Despite high food and fuel prices, California remains a very popular destination for RVers. Fact is that few other places offer the incredible variety of landscapes, climates, national parks, and experiences. But with all of that diversity comes logistical complexity, especially when seeking reliable dump stations across the largest and most populated states in the West.
While California’s dump station infrastructure is extensive, it is somewhat unevenly distributed. We’ve actually seen rigs lined up 30 deep waiting to dump tanks and refill water at popular parks! Urban corridors along I-5 and I-10 have frequent options at truck stops and RV parks, while remote stretches of Highway 395 or the northern coast can leave you driving over 50 miles between dump stations. And, if you love to boondock or stay in off-grid campgrounds, you are likely to be even further from dump/refill services, so locating the nearest station quickly is a key step to happier camping.
So, here’s a little roadmap of resources for how and where to dump your black tanks in California.
For Starters, a Few Pro Tips for Black Tank Management
- Know the typical capacity of your tanks with normal usage (e.g., five days).
- Plan your dumps into your travel schedule – particularly during peak travel season when popular stations can have over30 minute waiting times.
- Download a couple of apps to your phone that will help you find dump stations in a jiffy. (We have several recommendations below.)
- Have a back-up poop plan. (Whether that’s carrying a portable toilet or simply trash bags that fit inside your toilet bowl.) It may sound silly, but it’s a great way to save both water and tank capacity while boondocking.
Authorized Places to Dump Your Black Tanks
Casinos
Some casinos offer overnight parking and/or fee-based campgrounds, as well as dump and water refill stations. Some require a dump fee if you are not staying in the campground, while others are free of charge — as a thank you for spending some money in their establishment.
Campgrounds and RV Parks
Campgrounds and RV parks in California (and all across the nation) typically allow RVers to dump their black tanks. A small fee may be charged if you are not staying overnight.
Rest Areas
Less common, but some larger, well-equipped rest areas on major highways offer dump stations.
Gas Stations and Car Washes
A growing number of independent gas stations or car wash facilities, especially in heavy RV-travel regions, are adding dump stations as an extra service. (Often for a small fee.)
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
In some rural areas, local municipalities may allow RVers to dump at their wastewater treatment facility, usually for a small fee or even free. Always call ahead and verify.
RV Dealerships, Maintenance, and Storage Sites
In a pinch (wink!), you’ll often find black water dump stations at RV dealerships, repair shops, storage locations, and stores that sell RV related items. Fees are set by individual businesses. However, we suggest that you call the store in advance to determine whether they can accept your black water.
Truck Stops and Travel Centers
Travel plazas like Flying J, Loves, and Pilot almost always allow RVers to dump their tanks. A complete list of truck stops offered by CalTrans can be found here.
State and National Parks in California
State Parks
There are over 280 state park units, covering more than 1.5 million acres of land. As of 2018, the Golden State has been adding fee-based, automated dump stations to several of their state parks, state beaches, and state recreation areas. Currently, there are 22 state park units with automated dump stations, all of which require a small fee ($10 per use, except as noted).
Keep in mind, these fees are above and beyond camping fees and entrance fees. If you are a frequent CSP visitor, purchasing the annual pass ($125 per year) may help off-set dumping fees since this pass will cover your entrance fee.
Since these dump locations are not easily found on the California State Park website, here is a list of the California State Parks that offer fee-based, automated dump stations (as of the date of this publication).
Historic Parks
- Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (1)
State Parks
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park (1, $20 fee)
- Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (2)
- Hearst San Simeon State Park (2)
- MacKerricher State Park (2)
- Malibu Creek State Park (1)
- Morro Bay State Park (1)
- Red Rock Canyon State Park (1, $20 fee)
- Saddleback Butte State Park (1)
- Van Damme State Park (1)
Beaches
- Doheny State Beach (1)
- Half Moon Bay State Beach (1)
- Huntington State Beach (1)
- New Brighton State Beach (4)
- Pismo State Beach (1)
- San Elijo State Beach (2)
- San Onofre State Beach (6)
- Silver Strand State Beach (1)
- South Carlsbad State Beach (2)
Vehicular Recreation Areas
- Oceano Dunes (3)
Recreation Areas
- Lake Perris (3)
- Silverwood Lake (2)
National Parks
California boasts nine very unique national parks within its border — the most of any U.S. state. Most offer conveniently located RV dump stations in/near the park campgrounds, while a few others require some planning ahead because they may not be located close to where you are actually camping.
Here’s the rundown on national parks with RV dump stations in the Golden State.
Death Valley
Dump stations are located at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Mesquite Springs Campgrounds (low elevation, open year-round, free for registered campers).
Joshua Tree
Dump stations are located in Black Rock Campground and near Cottonwood Campground (open year-round, $5 use fee).
Lassen Volcanic
Dump station is located between Loomis Plaza and Manzanita Lake Campground (near north entrance of Hwy 89, open mid-May to mid-October, $5 use fee).
Pinnacles
Dump station is located in Pinnacles Campground (east entrance off Highway 146, open year-round, free for registered campers, requires a key from camp store). It’s important to note that you cannot access this dump station from the west side as there are no roads between the east and west sides of this park.
Redwood
This park is co-managed between the NPS and California State Parks. While the federally-managed section does not offer a dump station, both Jedediah Smith Campground (open year-round, free) and Mill Creek Campground (open mid-May to early October, free) have dump stations for registered campers only. Both campgrounds are located within 10 miles of Crescent City.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Dump stations in Sequoia are available in/near the Potwisha Campground (low elevation, south side, open year-round, free), Dorst Creek Campground and Lodgepole Campgrounds (high elevation, summer to early fall only, free). While there are no dump stations in Kings Canyon National Park proper, campers can access the dump stations next door in Sequoia.
Yosemite
Dump stations are available in Upper Pines Campground (valley floor, open all year, free) and Wawona (south entrance, summer only, free) and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds (high elevation, open in summer only, free).
Key Resources to Help You Find The Nearest Dump Station
While nearly every RV travel app now has a filter or layer that you can add to help you find dump stations along your route — just look for the poop emoji — here are a few other resources to keep handy for when that black tank level indicator starts judging your choices!
- California RV Dump Station Directory. For a complete, county-by-county listing of every dump station across all 58 California counties — including addresses, fees, hours, and access notes.
- RV Dump Finder. A directory of RV dump stations across all 50 U.S. states. When you need to empty your black and gray tanks fast, this page uses your GPS to find the 10 closest dump stations. Here’s a direct link to those black tank dumping options in California.
- RVing Life. Perhaps the most comprehensive database, listing thousands of dump stations worldwide, often with user reviews, photos, and information on cost, accessibility, and amenities. All California RV dump stations are listed here.
Freedom in a Can
You might also like
