Let me tell you, navigating the sprawling concrete jungle between Seattle and Tacoma with your black tank indicator blinking red is a special kind of RVing stress. You’re weaving a forty foot coach through aggressive traffic, trying to find an exit that looks big rig friendly, all while praying the next gas station has more than just a car sized parking lot. It’s in these moments that you truly appreciate the quiet, orderly world of a military FamCamp. For those of us with the right ID card in our wallet, the Holiday Park FamCamp on Joint Base Lewis-McChord isn’t just a dump station; it’s a full on exhale. It’s a sanctuary.
Getting there is half the story. You pull off the chaos of Interstate 5 and suddenly you’re in a different reality. The pace slows immediately. You’ll need to navigate to the right gate, have your military or DoD ID, registration, and proof of insurance ready for the guards. Don’t be in a hurry. They are thorough, and that’s part of what you’re paying for with your service, a sense of security. Once you’re through the gate, the base itself unfolds. It’s a city within a city, with its own roads, neighborhoods, and a surprisingly green, wooded landscape. On a clear day, you’ll catch yourself staring at the absolutely majestic sight of Mount Rainier looming in the distance, a massive snow-capped volcano that seems to watch over the entire Puget Sound region. It’s a powerful reminder of where you are.
Finding the FamCamp itself is straightforward. The signage on base is usually excellent. You follow the roads back to a secluded loop that feels more like a state park than anything else. This is the beauty of it. Instead of jockeying for position with eighteen wheelers at a fuel plaza, you’re pulling into a dedicated campground loop. The air smells like pine trees, not diesel fumes. You’ll check in at the small camp office, usually staffed by a friendly retiree who knows the ins and outs of the whole operation. Be sure to check their hours, as they aren't a 24/7 commercial enterprise. Afternoons on weekdays are usually a safe bet.
The dump station itself is exactly what you hope for. It’s clean, it’s level, and it’s spacious. You’re not trying to contort your sewer hose around a poorly placed curb while cars are trying to squeeze past you. Here, you have room to breathe and work. You can take your time, get out your gloves, and do the job right without feeling rushed. And here’s the kicker, they have potable water right there. This isn’t just a non-potable rinse spigot. This is good, clean water you can use for a proper black tank flush with your built in system or a flush wand. Any seasoned RVer knows that a good, thorough flush is worth its weight in gold for keeping odors at bay. It’s a small detail that makes a world of difference.
While you’re there, you might as well take advantage of the other perks. The campground has clean restrooms and showers, a welcome luxury after a few days of boondocking or dry camping. There's also a laundry facility. For full-timers or those on a long trip, being able to dump the tanks, take a long hot shower, and get all your laundry done in one quiet, low stress stop is the trifecta. It’s a total system reset. If you decide to stay the night, which is a fantastic option, many of the sites are full hookup. That means you can handle all your business right at your site and skip the communal dump station entirely.
Of course, it’s not a commercial travel center, so you need to plan accordingly. There's no fuel or propane at the FamCamp itself. You’ll want to handle that at one of the big stations off the interstate before you come through the gate. And while they have a small exchange on base, it’s not going to be stocked with a wide array of RV specific chemicals or parts, so make sure you have your holding tank treatments, your dedicated rinse hose, and any other supplies you might need. Think of it as visiting a well maintained park, not a one stop shop.
The value here is off the charts. While the exact price can vary, you’re typically looking at a fee that is incredibly reasonable, often just a few dollars, for a standalone dump. For the quality of the facility and the peace and quiet, it feels like the best deal in the state. So, is this the spot for you? If you’re a military member, retiree, or authorized DoD civilian, absolutely. One hundred percent. It’s a calm, clean, and secure oasis in the middle of a very busy region. It’s the perfect place to dump your tanks, recharge your batteries, both literally and figuratively, and prepare for your next adventure, whether that’s exploring the amazing Museum of Glass in Tacoma or heading east to circle that beautiful volcano that dominates the skyline. Just call ahead, have your ID ready, and enjoy the peace.
Bldg, 260 Outer Dr, McChord AFB, WA 98438
(253) 982-5488
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
jblm.armymwr.com/programs/travel-camp-and-cabins