Let me paint you a picture. You’ve been pushing your rig down Interstate 79, deep in the rolling hills of West Virginia. The mountains are beautiful, no doubt, but your tank sensors are starting to flash those urgent little lights. You’re not quite ready to pull into a campground for the night, you just need that essential reset, a place to empty the tanks and maybe catch your breath. Finding a good, clean, and most importantly, free dump station in these situations can feel like a quest for the holy grail. That’s why the I-79 Rest Area and West Virginia Welcome Center, just south of Morgantown, is a spot every RVer traveling this corridor should have marked on their map. It’s not just a pit stop; it’s a sigh of relief.
This isn’t some grimy, forgotten pull-off. As an official state Welcome Center, it’s designed to be a traveler’s first positive impression of the Mountain State. And for us RVers, that impression starts with the beautiful, beautiful sight of a complimentary sanitary station. It’s one of those little travel victories that makes a long day on the road feel worth it. You can pull in, handle your business with the grey and black tanks without spending a dime, and then take a moment to actually enjoy the stop. The grounds are well kept, the restrooms are consistently reported as clean, and the whole place is well lit at night, which is a huge plus for those of us who end up traveling after sundown.
Getting there is as straightforward as it gets, right off the interstate at Exit 155. But here’s the first piece of insider advice, and it’s a big one. The dump inlet itself is located on the outbound ramp as you’re leaving the facility. It’s marked, but if you’re not actively looking for that little brown sign that says “Sanitary Station,” you could easily cruise right past it. I’ve learned the hard way at other rest areas to always creep along the exit ramp. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing the dump station in your rearview mirror after you’ve already merged back onto the highway. So, keep your eyes peeled as you leave the main parking area.
Once you’re there, you’ll find it’s a fairly standard rest area setup. Because it’s not a truck stop, the commercial traffic is much lighter, which means you generally have a good amount of space to maneuver. I wouldn't think twice about pulling a 45-foot Class A with a toad through here. The loop is generous enough. The only time it might get a little tight is late at night when the semi-truck drivers have settled in for their mandatory rest. They tend to fill up the outer edges of the lot, so just be mindful of your turning radius.
Now let’s talk about what this place offers, and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. The key amenity is, of course, the free dump. But right next to it, you’ll find a non-potable water spigot. This is strictly for rinsing your sewer hose and the dump pad area. Do not, under any circumstances, use this water to fill your fresh tank. It’s a classic rookie mistake, and one that can make for a very bad week. Always keep a dedicated non-potable water hose, preferably a different color from your fresh water hose, just for this purpose. I always recommend having a few gallons of your own clean water on hand for a final rinse of your connections anyway, especially in colder months when these outdoor taps can be turned off to prevent freezing.
For our furry travel companions, there’s a designated pet walk area. It’s a grassy spot perfect for letting them stretch their legs after being cooped up in the cab. It’s a simple thing, but having a safe, clean space for your pet to do its business makes the stop so much more relaxing for everyone. As always, keep them on a leash and be a good neighbor by cleaning up afterward. Inside the welcome center itself, you can grab all sorts of travel brochures and maps for West Virginia. The staff are usually pretty friendly and can give you tips on local road conditions or attractions. The restrooms are clean and accessible 24/7, and there are plenty of trash barrels around, so you can empty your onboard trash cans at the same time you empty your tanks.
What you won’t find here are the services of a full-fledged travel center. There’s no gas, no diesel, and no propane. So make sure your fuel tank is in good shape before you pull in. If you are running low, the Flying J at exit 146 is about ten miles up the road toward Morgantown and can get you sorted. You also won’t find showers, laundry, or electric hookups. This is a "dump and dash" spot, not a place to camp out. While overnight parking is generally permitted at rest areas for safety, it’s not an invitation to set up camp. If you need to stay the night, be considerate with your generator use. A quiet hum is one thing, a roaring contractor-grade generator is another.
The real value here is the cost, or lack thereof. A zero dollar dump is a rare find, especially one so clean and conveniently located. Private campgrounds in the area will easily charge you ten or fifteen bucks for the same service if you’re not a registered guest. For a full-timer or a family on a long cross-country trip, those little savings add up fast. The convenience is the other half of the equation. Easy on, easy off, and open 24 hours a day.
So, is this the right stop for you? If you’re self-contained, have your own potable water, and just need a quick, clean, and free place to handle your tanks, absolutely. It’s a dependable workhorse of a dump station. The lack of fuel and a proper fresh water fill-up means you need to plan ahead slightly, but the cost savings and the peaceful, pet-friendly environment make it a top-tier choice for any RVer traveling through northern West Virginia. Just remember to go slow on the exit ramp, and maybe grab a brochure for your next Mountain State adventure while you’re there.
Morgantown, WV 26501
Cost: FREE
Category: Rest stop
Has Water
i-79-rest-area.keeq.io