Southern California is a dream destination for RVers, with its endless sunshine, stunning coastlines, and dramatic desert landscapes. But let’s be honest, the practical side of RVing in this densely populated region can be a real challenge. Finding a clean, accessible, and reasonably priced dump station in the Inland Empire, that sprawling area between Los Angeles and the desert, often feels like a quest for the Holy Grail. You’re either stuck navigating a cramped gas station that can barely fit a pop-up camper or paying exorbitant fees at a coastal resort. That’s why a place like Camper Resorts of America in Perris is such a welcome sight. It’s a straightforward, no-frills campground that offers a reliable solution for one of RVing’s least glamorous, but most necessary, tasks.
Located just off the Ramona Expressway, it’s positioned perfectly for travelers moving between the L.A. basin and destinations like Palm Springs or Joshua Tree. It’s far enough from the constant hum of Interstate 215 to feel peaceful, yet close enough that it’s not a major detour. This makes it an ideal pit stop to get your tanks in order before heading into the desert for some boondocking or tackling the notorious L.A. traffic on your way to the coast.
But here’s the most important thing you need to know about this place, and I’m going to say it right up front: you must bring your own rinse water. Let me repeat that. There is no non-potable water spigot at the dump station itself. This is a critical piece of information that can make or break your experience. Showing up with full black and grey tanks and no water to flush your hose and the sewer connection is a classic rookie mistake. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s not pretty. A smart RVer always carries a few extra gallons of water just for this purpose. I keep a five-gallon jug of non-potable water in one of my storage bays specifically for rinsing my sewer hose and the dump area. At a place like this, it’s not just a good idea, it’s essential.
Because this is a proper campground and not a high-traffic travel plaza, the experience is completely different. You’ll need to check in at the front office first. They’re friendly and will give you the gate code and direct you to the dump station. The pace is much slower here. You’re not fighting for position with a dozen other rigs. The dump lane is typically set off to the side, away from the overnight guests, so you have a bit of privacy. The space is generally generous enough for larger rigs, but like any campground, weekends can get a little busy, especially on a Sunday morning when everyone is packing up to head home. If you can time your visit for a weekday afternoon, you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.
While the lack of rinse water at the station is a significant drawback, the other amenities make up for it, especially if you decide to turn your quick stop into an overnight stay. The grounds are pet-friendly, with plenty of grassy areas for your four-legged co-pilot to stretch their legs after being cooped up in the cab. There are clean restrooms and showers, which feel like a five-star luxury after a few days of dry camping in the desert. And having a laundry facility on-site is a huge bonus. You can get a load of dusty clothes washing while your tanks are draining. It’s all about efficient multi-tasking on the road.
The real surprise of this location isn’t the campground itself, but what surrounds it. Perris is a hub for adventure. Just a few minutes down the road is the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, a beautiful reservoir perfect for boating, swimming, fishing, or just hiking along the shore. But the main event, the thing that puts Perris on the map, is Skydive Perris. It’s one of the largest and most famous skydiving facilities in the world. You can literally sit in your RV and watch parachutes dotting the sky all day long. Even if you’re not brave enough to jump out of a plane yourself, it’s an incredible spectacle. It adds a layer of excitement to what would otherwise be a mundane chore. Imagine telling your friends you emptied the black tank while watching skydivers fall from the sky. It’s a uniquely Californian experience.
As for the cost, you’ll need to call ahead to get the current rate. Most private campgrounds in Southern California charge between $10 and $20 for a dump station visit, and I’d expect Camper Resorts of America to be in that range. It’s a fair price for a clean, secure location, even with the bring-your-own-water caveat. And if you’re tired from the road, the option to grab an overnight spot with full hookups for a reasonable fee is a fantastic value proposition. You can dump, rinse with your own water, then pull into a site, hook up, and enjoy a quiet evening before hitting the road again, fully refreshed.
So, here’s my final take. Camper Resorts of America is a solid, practical choice for any RVer traveling through the Inland Empire. It’s not fancy, but it’s effective. The key to a successful visit is preparation. Call ahead to confirm their hours and the dump fee. And most importantly, have that jug of rinse water ready to go. If you do that, you’ll find this to be a convenient and low-stress place to take care of business. And who knows, you might just get inspired by the skydivers and decide to add a little adrenaline rush to your travel itinerary. It’s a stop that’s as much about the potential for adventure as it is about the practicalities of the RV lifestyle.
375 Ramona Expy, Perris, CA 92571
(951) 657-7497
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
No Water
camperresortsperris.com