RV Dump Stations In Clovis, California

Clovis has several RV dump stations and some free options. You'll need to pay a fee at both locations in town. If you're heading to Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, their dump station is free for registered campers, which is a smart way to save a few bucks if that's on your route anyway. The stations in Clovis are accessible from the main roads through town, making them convenient before or after a Sierra Nevada trip. We recommend checking the individual listings on this page for the most current hours, fees, and access details, since conditions can change seasonally and some facilities adjust their policies without much advance notice to the public.

This is an important one. Clovis has a municipal ordinance that says recreational vehicles over 25 feet can only be parked in public view for 24 hours. That means you can't just street-park your rig for an extended stay. Violations start with a warning but escalate to fines beginning at $100, then $500, then $1,000. Bona fide guests can park on the street in front of a host's home for up to seven days with police notification. If you're staying in the area, use a proper campground or RV park to avoid any hassle.

Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is our top pick. It's about 27 miles northeast of town and the Meadows campground has full hookup sites (numbers 120 through 144) plus standard sites. There's a free dump station, potable water, flush toilets, and showers. Sites accommodate RVs up to 36 feet. For dispersed camping, Sierra National Forest has free sites at higher elevations that are great during summer. Book Millerton Lake through ReserveCalifornia, especially for summer weekends, because those full hookup sites go fast.

Tule fog is a thick ground fog that forms in California's Central Valley, typically from late November through February. It's named after the tule grass that once grew around the old Tulare Lake. This fog can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds and has historically been the leading cause of weather-related accidents in California. Multi-vehicle pileups on Highway 99 and other valley roads are not uncommon during heavy fog events. If you're RVing through Clovis in winter, avoid early morning travel, use low-beam headlights, and pull off safely if you can't see.

Clovis is an excellent staging point for Sierra Nevada adventures. SR-168 runs straight from town up to Millerton Lake, Shaver Lake, and Sierra National Forest. You can stock up on groceries, fuel, and supplies here where prices are reasonable, then head into the mountains fully prepared. There are also RV repair shops in the area (CTS RV and RVs 4 Less) if you need to handle any maintenance before tackling mountain roads. Just keep your rig size in mind since some forest roads have length and width restrictions.

CTS RV and RVs 4 Less both operate in the Clovis and Fresno area and can handle a range of RV repairs and service work. The broader Fresno metro also has Paul Evert's RV Country on South Maple Avenue, which is a large dealership with a full service department. For mobile RV repair (someone comes to your campsite), search the Fresno area listings since several independent techs serve the region. If you're heading into the Sierra, get any known issues fixed in town first because service options disappear quickly once you're in the mountains.

Old Town Clovis is a walkable downtown district with antique shops, restaurants, and a genuine western small-town feel. The Saturday farmers market runs year-round (9 to 11:30 AM), and the Friday Night Farmers Market from May through September is a community event with food trucks, live entertainment, and craft vendors. Big Hat Days in April celebrates Clovis's western heritage with parades, rodeo events, and street activities. ClovisFest in September is another major event. There's also a good selection of local restaurants and cafes along the main drag.

Very hot. Summer highs average around 98F with lows near 67F. July and August are the worst months, with many days hitting triple digits. If you're camping in the valley without hookups for air conditioning, you'll be uncomfortable at best and potentially dealing with heat-related health issues at worst. Most experienced RVers in this region head for the Sierra Nevada during summer, where elevations above 5,000 feet bring temperatures down 20 to 30 degrees. Millerton Lake can also be hot since it sits at a lower elevation, but at least you can swim.

Yes, and it's free. Sierra National Forest allows dispersed camping in most areas with a 14-day stay limit. You'll need to be self-contained since there are no hookups, water, trash service, or dump stations at dispersed sites. Pack in everything and pack out everything. Fire permits are required for any campfire or stove use, and fire restrictions are common during summer and fall when conditions are dry. Some forest roads aren't suitable for larger RVs, so check road conditions and clearances before venturing onto unpaved forest routes with a big rig.

Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is a popular reservoir about 27 miles northeast of Clovis. The Meadows campground has full hookup sites (120 through 144) with water, electric, and sewer, plus standard sites without hookups. There's a free dump station, potable water fill, flush toilets, and showers. The lake itself is great for boating, fishing, and swimming. Maximum RV length for the full hookup sites is 36 feet. Summer weekends get packed so reservations are essential. Weekdays are much calmer and you'll have more space to enjoy the lake.

The Clovis Rodeo is held every April and it's been running for over a century. It's a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event featuring bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and all the classic rodeo competitions. The event includes a parade through Old Town Clovis, concerts, and dances. It coincides with Big Hat Days, so the whole town gets into the western spirit. If you're an RVer passing through in April, it's worth planning your visit around the rodeo weekend. Just be aware that campgrounds and RV parks fill up faster than usual during the event.

SR-168 from Clovis to the Sierra Nevada is a well-maintained highway that handles RVs fine up through Shaver Lake. The road climbs steadily from the valley floor (about 350 feet elevation) to over 5,000 feet at Shaver Lake, with some grades and curves that require attention in a larger rig. Beyond Shaver Lake toward Huntington Lake, the road narrows and gets more challenging. Use lower gears on steep descents, keep an eye on your brake temperature, and pull over at turnouts to let faster traffic pass. Fuel up in Clovis before heading up since gas stations are limited and pricey in the mountains.

Clovis has {{stationCount}} dump stations available for motorhome waste disposal. Most are located at private motorhome parks and campgrounds along Highway 168 and Clovis Avenue. These facilities typically accommodate rigs up to 45 feet and provide fresh water for tank rinsing.

Currently, {{freeCount}} free dump stations operate in Clovis, meaning you'll need to pay for dumping services. Most private facilities charge between $8-12 for non-guests, which often includes fresh water fill-up. Some offer discounts for Good Sam members or fuel purchases.

Service point fees in Clovis typically range from $8-12 for non-guests at private motorhome parks. This pricing includes fresh water access for rinsing tanks and hoses. Some locations offer slight discounts during off-peak times or for membership holders like Good Sam or FMCA.

Pack disposable gloves, your own sewer hose with proper fittings, and a water hose for rinsing if the facility doesn't provide one. Bring exact change since some stations operate on honor system payment. Consider bringing a small bottle of tank treatment to add after dumping for odor control.

Yes, dump stations remain open during harvest season from June through October, though expect increased traffic from work campers and seasonal agricultural workers. Plan for slightly longer wait times and consider visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak usage periods.

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Clovis.