Let me tell you, there’s a certain kind of emptiness you only find in West Texas. It’s a beautiful, sprawling void, where the sky feels bigger and the sunsets burn brighter. But when you’re piloting a big rig across I-20 and the tank indicators are creeping into the red, that emptiness can start to feel a little less romantic and a lot more urgent. Finding a reliable place to handle your necessary RV chores, specifically emptying the black and grey tanks, can feel like a genuine treasure hunt out here. You pass a lot of pumpjacks and not a lot of services. That’s why stumbling upon a place like Oasis RV & Boat Storage in Odessa feels like you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s not a flashy truck stop, and that’s precisely its greatest strength. It’s a secure, no-nonsense spot where you can get the job done without fighting for position among a sea of eighteen wheelers.
The journey to Odessa often involves long, straight stretches of highway, where the rhythm of the road can lull you into a trance. It’s the heart of the Permian Basin, an area that quite literally fuels America. You can feel the history and the industry in the air. Before or after your stop at Oasis, there’s more to this area than meets the eye. A short ten minute drive will take you to the University of Texas Permian Basin campus, where a surprisingly faithful replica of Stonehenge stands tall against the Texas sky. It's a fantastic, quirky photo op. If you’re up for a bit more of a drive, about thirty miles west, you’ll find the Monahans Sandhills State Park. Here, massive dunes of gypsum sand create a landscape that looks more like a snowy wonderland than a desert. You can even rent sleds and slide down the seventy foot slopes, which is a blast for kids and adults alike. It’s a perfect way to stretch your legs and burn off some energy after being cooped up in the RV. For those scorching hot Texas afternoons when you just need some air conditioning, Midland is just a short twenty minute drive east. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum there is genuinely fascinating, offering a deep dive into the geology and technology that shaped this entire region. Making Oasis your pit stop fits perfectly into a larger exploration of this unique corner of the state.
So what’s it actually like to use a dump station at a storage facility? It’s a world away from the chaotic energy of a major travel center. Because Oasis is primarily a place where people store their prized RVs and boats, the traffic is minimal. You won’t have a line of impatient drivers staring you down. When you arrive, you’ll either check in at the office during business hours or, if you’ve called ahead or you’re a tenant, you’ll use a keypad code to get through the secure gate. This 24/7 access is a game changer for full-timers or anyone who likes to chew up miles late into the evening. The whole place is fenced and monitored by security cameras, which provides a real sense of peace of mind when you’re handling your business in the dark. Once inside, you’ll find the drive aisles are incredibly wide. They have to be, to accommodate people backing in large fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes. This means you’ll have no trouble swinging your rig into position at the dump station, which is usually located along the perimeter to keep the main lanes clear. The lack of pressure is the best part. You can take your time, really flush your black tank thoroughly, and not feel rushed. It turns a stressful chore into a calm, methodical process.
When it comes to amenities, Oasis provides the essentials an RVer truly needs. There’s a water spigot right there at the dump station. This is critical for a proper black tank flush and for rinsing your sewer hose and any spills on the concrete pad. In West Texas, where a fine layer of dust seems to coat everything, being able to rinse things off is a small luxury. They also have a 110 volt electrical outlet nearby. This is a thoughtful touch. While your tanks are draining, you can plug in a small charger to give your house batteries a little boost. It’s not a full hookup site, but it’s a nice perk. The secure, gated access is probably the biggest amenity of all, especially for solo travelers or families.
You do need to be prepared, however. This isn’t a one stop shop. There’s no propane filling, no fuel, no convenience store, and no public restrooms or trash cans for household garbage. This means you need to plan ahead. Make sure your propane is topped off before you arrive, and have a separate bag for your trash that you can dispose of elsewhere. It's always a good idea to call ahead anyway, just to confirm their policies and see if anything has changed. And one important note for those of us who travel with our furry companions: pets are generally not allowed to be wandering the grounds of a storage facility, so they’ll have to wait patiently inside the rig while you’re outside.
The question of cost is always on an RVer’s mind. Oasis doesn’t post their dump station fees online, which is common for private facilities. You’ll definitely want to call ahead to ask about the price for non-tenants. Typically, you can expect to pay somewhere in the five to fifteen dollar range in this part of the country. For what you get, that’s a very fair deal. The 24 hour access, the security, and the on site water and electricity make it a great value, especially when other options are few and far between.
To make your visit as smooth as possible, a few tips from the road. First and foremost, call them. Confirm that they allow public dumping, check the current fee, and get instructions for after hours access. Second, get your gear ready before you pull up to the pad. Have your sewer hose, a clear elbow connector, and your trusty disposable gloves out and ready to go. Third, try to visit during off peak hours, like a weekday morning. You’ll likely have the entire place to yourself. Also, be mindful of the West Texas wind. It can kick up in a hurry, and a sudden gust can turn rinsing your hose into a very unpleasant experience. Keep the hose low to the ground. And finally, leave the place cleaner than you found it. Rinse down the pad and make sure the sewer inlet cap is securely replaced. It’s just good RV etiquette.
So, what's the final verdict? Oasis RV & Boat Storage is a solid, reliable choice for handling your tanks in the Odessa area. It offers a secure, quiet, and accessible solution that’s a welcome alternative to crowded truck stops. If you’re a self sufficient RVer who values peace of mind and doesn’t need all the extra bells and whistles of a travel plaza, this spot is worth bookmarking in your GPS.
4109 S County Rd 1297, Odessa, TX 79765
(432) 214-7866
Cost: Price not available
Category: RV storage facility
Has Water
oasisrvboat.com