There are a few things that make a seasoned RVer’s heart truly sing: finding an empty, level boondocking spot with a killer view, stumbling upon a cheap propane fill right off the highway, and discovering a clean, well-maintained, and completely free municipal dump station. That last one can feel like finding a nugget of gold, especially when you’re exploring a high traffic tourist region like the gateway to Yellowstone. Let me tell you, the city-operated Cody RV Dump Station in Cody, Wyoming, is one of those precious nuggets. It’s a perfect example of a town that understands and welcomes the RV community. Located at 2301 Lt. Childers Street, right next to a pleasant park, it’s just minutes from the historic downtown and a straight, scenic shot of about 52 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park.
Cody isn’t just a pass through town; it’s a destination in its own right, steeped in the lore of the American West. It proudly calls itself the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” and with nightly rodeos all summer long, it’s not an empty boast. Before you even think about your tanks, you might find yourself lost for hours in the incredible Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is really five amazing museums under one roof. You can explore everything from classic Western art to the fascinating culture of the Plains Indians. Or maybe you’re just stocking up on supplies before making that breathtaking drive up the Wapiti Valley into Yellowstone. For those of us who travel by the season, knowing this spot is here makes planning that Yellowstone trip so much easier. You can roll in from the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, get your rig’s dirty work done, and then fully immerse yourself in the frontier spirit of the town without a single worry.
Using a municipal dump station like this one is usually a straightforward, no frills affair, and Cody’s is no exception. It’s all about function. The city keeps it open from dawn to dusk in the summer, with hours typically posted as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s situated in a large, paved lot with plenty of swing room, even for us folks with 40 footers and a toad. The lanes are angled for easy drive through access, so you don’t have to perform a twelve point turn to get lined up. It’s a simple, efficient design. Traffic is generally pretty moderate, but you can expect a short wait around 10 a.m. on any given morning. That’s prime checkout time for all the local campgrounds, so you might see a small convoy of rigs heading over to dump before they hit the road.
Now, let’s talk about the amenities, or the lack thereof, which is important to understand. The main event, the dump, is free. But the potable water isn’t. There’s a spigot for fresh water, but it’s coin operated. You’ll need quarters, and last I checked, about a dollar gets you around 20 gallons of fresh, clean water. It’s a small price to pay, but you have to be prepared with change. Dig into that center console for quarters before you pull up. Another key thing to note is the signage. The city asks that you keep your pets inside your vehicle while using the station. If your furry copilot needs to stretch their legs, the nearby Canal Park is a better option. Also, this is purely a water and waste station. There’s no fuel, no propane, no showers, and, importantly, no trash bins. You have to pack out your own refuse. It’s a small bit of etiquette that keeps the place clean and free for the next person.
The value proposition here is simple and powerful: it’s free. In a major tourist town just an hour from a national park entrance, that is huge. Private parks in the area will happily charge you ten, fifteen, or even twenty dollars for the same service. That’s money you can put toward a great steak dinner downtown, tickets to the rodeo, or just more fuel in the tank. To help keep this wonderful service going, there is a donation box on site. If you’ve got a few extra bucks, I highly recommend dropping them in. It’s a way of saying thank you to the city of Cody and ensuring this resource remains available for all of us down the road.
For a smooth visit, timing can be everything. If you can, aim for the late afternoon. The morning checkout rush is long gone, and any tour buses that might have stopped have also moved on. It’s usually wide open. Since you’re in Wyoming, always be mindful of the weather, especially in the shoulder seasons. The city only turns the water on after the risk of a hard freeze has passed in the spring. If you’re rolling through in May, it’s not a bad idea to call the Cody Parks Department just to confirm the water is flowing. And I can’t say it enough: bring quarters!
In the end, the Cody RV Dump Station is an absolute gem. It’s free, it’s clean, it’s easy to access, and it’s located in a town that’s a fantastic destination in its own right. As long as you remember to bring your own quarters for water and are prepared to pack out your trash, it’s an unbeatable pit stop on any Yellowstone adventure.
2301 Lt. Childers St, Cody, WY 82414
Cost: FREE
Category: Park
Has Water
