Sometimes, the best RV spots are the ones you have to know about. They aren’t advertised with giant billboards on the interstate. They don’t have flashy signs or a bustling convenience store. They are the quiet, unassuming, almost secret locations that offer a solution without any of the usual chaos. The East Vancouver RV & Boat Storage is exactly that kind of place. For the RVer who cringes at the thought of navigating a crowded truck stop or waiting in line behind five other rigs at a state park, this spot is a true hidden gem. It offers a calm, private, and no-nonsense way to get the necessary chore of dumping your tanks done, just a stone's throw from the Portland metro area.
Think of this as the polar opposite of a travel plaza experience. This is a storage facility, first and foremost. Its primary purpose is to provide a secure home for people’s prized possessions, their fifth wheels, Class As, and boats. The dump station is an amenity for their long term customers, but many of these places are willing to let transient RVers like us use it for a small fee. The key, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you must call ahead. This is not a pull in and surprise them kind of establishment. The entire property is gated and secure. You’ll need to talk to someone in the office, make an appointment, and get a gate code and instructions. It feels a bit like being invited into a private club.
The journey to the facility itself takes you through the suburban landscape of Vancouver, Washington. It’s a great strategic location. You’re just across the river from Portland, close enough to enjoy everything the city has to offer, but far enough away to escape the traffic and congestion. This area is a fantastic base camp for exploring some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic scenery. You are at the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. From here, it’s an easy day trip to drive the historic highway, marvel at Multnomah Falls, and watch the windsurfers skim across the water at Hood River. You’re also minutes away from the historic Fort Vancouver, a fascinating look back at the region’s fur trading past.
Once you have your appointment and your gate code, the on site experience is one of pure tranquility, at least compared to the alternatives. You punch in your code, the heavy gate slides open, and you enter a world of neatly parked RVs and shrink wrapped boats. The roads are narrow, so take your turns wide and slow. Speed bumps are common. You’ll likely have the entire dump station to yourself. There’s no pressure, no one waiting behind you, no engine noise except your own. You can take your time, do a thorough job, and not feel rushed. It’s the perfect environment for a methodical tank cleaning, maybe even getting out the tank wand for a serious flush.
However, this privacy comes with a trade off. You must be completely self sufficient. Because this isn’t a retail environment, there are no extra amenities. There’s no fuel, no propane, no convenience store for a forgotten snack. Most importantly, there are often no public trash cans. The rule is pack it in, pack it out. Whatever trash you have, including your disposable gloves, needs to leave with you. The potable water spigot they have is a fantastic bonus, perfect for a good tank flush, but that’s where the services end. This is a purely utilitarian stop. You come, you do the job, and you leave.
The cost for this kind of service is usually very reasonable, often less than you’d pay at a busy private campground. You’re paying for access and privacy, not for a long list of amenities. When you call to make your reservation, be sure to confirm the exact price and what forms of payment they accept. Some smaller operations might be cash only. An insider tip for using storage facility dumps: bring a longer sewer hose than you think you’ll need. Sometimes the sewer connection can be in an awkward spot, set back a bit further than you’re used to, and having that extra five or ten feet of hose can save you a lot of frustration.
So who is this stop for? It’s for the seasoned RVer who values peace and quiet. It’s for the planner who doesn’t mind making a phone call to arrange access. It’s for the person who has their dumping routine down to a science and has all their own supplies ready to go. It may not be the best choice for a brand new RVer who might appreciate the amenities of a full service campground. But if you’ve been around the block a few times and you’re looking for a stress free dump near the Portland area, putting East Vancouver RV & Boat Storage in your phone’s contacts is a very smart move. It’s a clean, quiet, and efficient solution tucked away from the crowds.
1306 NE 172nd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684
(360) 254-8102
Cost: Price not available
Category: Boat storage facility
Has Water
vancouverrvstorage.com