There are certain phrases that are music to an RVer’s ears. “Flat tire is fixed.” “The campground has one last spot.” And, perhaps the most beautiful of all: “free RV dump station.” In a world where it feels like every service comes with a fee, finding a well-maintained, complimentary dump station feels like striking gold. And that’s exactly the treasure you’ll find at John Stretch Memorial Park, a wonderful county park located in Lake Harbor, Florida, right on the southern edge of the vast Lake Okeechobee.
This isn’t just a pull-off on the side of the road with a drain. This is a full-fledged, 55-acre park that offers a complete reset for the weary traveler. Situated conveniently along US-27, it’s the perfect pit stop for anyone journeying between Florida’s east and west coasts, or for those exploring the unique ecosystem of the state’s inland sea. The park hugs the rim canal of the lake, offering sprawling green lawns, picnic pavilions, and a boat ramp. The fact that they provide a free dump station with fresh water on top of all that is a testament to the welcoming spirit of Palm Beach County. It’s a place that genuinely seems to value the traveling community.
Driving through this part of Florida is an experience in itself. You leave the coastal congestion behind and enter a world of vast, open skies and endless fields of sugar cane. It’s rural, it’s flat, and it has a unique, calming beauty. Lake Okeechobee, the state’s largest freshwater lake, is a legendary destination for bass fishing, and John Stretch Park serves as a perfect gateway to that adventure. One of the park’s best features is its direct access to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST). This is a 109-mile paved path that runs along the top of the massive Herbert Hoover Dike, which encircles the entire lake.
It’s an incredible resource for cyclists and walkers. You can hop on the trail for a short stroll or a long ride, enjoying panoramic views of the lake on one side and the agricultural canals on the other. If you’re a birder, this place is paradise. Bring your binoculars, especially in the winter months, when the area is teeming with wading birds like herons, egrets, and ibis. Keep your eyes peeled and you might even spot a majestic bald eagle soaring overhead. After you’ve dumped your tanks and stretched your legs, the charming town of Clewiston, which proudly calls itself “America’s Sweetest Town,” is just a ten-mile drive west. You can learn about the region’s primary industry with a tour of a sugar mill and enjoy some small-town hospitality. It’s a wonderful way to round out your stop.
So what’s it like to use a dump station in a public park like this? In a word, relaxed. The setup is utilitarian but effective. You’ll find a single lane with a concrete apron and a rinse hose. The real luxury here is space. There’s a massive adjacent parking lot, which means you can get staged and ready with your hoses and gloves without blocking anyone. If someone else is using the station when you arrive, you can simply pull into a parking spot and wait your turn without any pressure. There’s also a convenient loop for the boat ramp that circles behind the dump station, which can be handy for turning around if you’re towing a trailer or have an exceptionally large rig.
Because the service is free, there’s an unspoken code of conduct among fellow RVers. Everyone tends to be a bit more courteous. You take care to clean up any spills thoroughly, you don’t hog the fresh water by filling your tank for an hour, and you give a friendly wave to the next person in line. It’s a community-minded atmosphere that I really appreciate. It’s about being a good steward of a fantastic resource so that it remains available for everyone to enjoy.
The amenities here are surprisingly robust for a free facility. Of course, the main attraction is the dump station itself. Fresh water is available, but the faucets are located about 25 feet from the curb. This is a key piece of information. You’ll definitely need a longer hose or an extension to reach your fresh tank. It’s a small detail, but knowing it in advance saves a lot of frustration. For pet owners, this park is a dream. Leashed pets are welcome, and the wide-open spaces and the levee trail are perfect for giving your four-legged co-pilot a much-needed run.
The park also features recently renovated restrooms, which are clean and well-stocked, and there are multiple trash cans throughout the grounds, making it easy to keep your rig tidy. The most surprising amenity is the presence of a few 30-amp electrical posts near one of the picnic pavilions. While this isn’t meant for overnight camping, it can be a lifesaver if you need to top off your house batteries or run your microwave for a few minutes. The official policy on their use can change, so it’s always a good idea to call Palm Beach County Parks to confirm if they are available for public use. What you won’t find are things like propane, showers, or full hookups for overnight stays. This is strictly a day-use area, but it’s one of the best you’ll ever find.
The value here is, quite literally, unbeatable. It costs nothing. In South Florida, where private RV resorts can charge upwards of $20 just to pull up and empty your tanks, a free and clean facility is a massive win for the budget-minded traveler. The trade-off, of course, is that it’s a first-come, first-served facility with daylight-only hours. But when you can pair a necessary chore with a beautiful lakeside picnic, a walk on the dike, and maybe even wetting a fishing line, it transforms the task into a genuinely enjoyable part of your travel day.
To make your visit as smooth as possible, here are a few insider tips. Try to arrive on a weekday if you can. The park is very popular with local weekend anglers and boaters, and the lines for the ramp and dump station can get long, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Also, this is South Florida, so be sure to pack insect repellent. In the late afternoon, especially during the warmer months, the mosquitoes can come out in force from the canal reeds. If you’re a cyclist, this stop is a must. The ample parking makes it easy to unload your bikes, and a ride along the dike is an experience you won’t forget. Lastly, keep an eye on the sky. South Florida thunderstorms can build up incredibly fast. Check the radar before you start the dumping process to avoid getting caught in a sudden downpour. John Stretch Memorial Park is a shining example of public infrastructure at its best, offering a rare and valuable combination of free sanitation, beautiful scenery, and easy highway access.
47225 US-27, Lake Harbor, FL 33459
(561) 924-2728
Cost: FREE
Category: Park
Has Water
discover.pbcgov.org/parks/locations/john-stretch.aspx