Gee Creek Rest Area Southbound: Washington’s Final Stop with Limited RV Services
The Gee Creek Rest Area Southbound at mile marker 12 on I-5 is your last major rest stop before leaving Washington State, located 8.1 miles south of Woodland in Clark County. The facility handles the essentials – restrooms, picnic tables, and a volunteer coffee program – but RV travelers should know the dump station has been closed for repairs with no timeline for reopening. It’s open 24/7 and gets the job done for most travelers’ final Washington break.
Gee Creek Rest Area Southbound Fast Facts
| Feature |
Detail |
| Location |
Clark County, Washington |
| Highway |
Interstate 5 Southbound Only |
| Mile Marker |
MP 12 |
| Status |
Open 24/7 – RV dump unavailable |
| Key Features |
Restrooms, coffee program, picnic areas |
| Parking Limits |
8 hours regular, 11 hours commercial |
| GPS Coordinates |
45.79914722, -122.6806075 |
What Works Here
You’ll find restrooms, picnic tables, and space to walk around before continuing into Oregon. Local volunteers serve free coffee and sometimes cookies during the day, which travelers consistently mention as a nice touch. Vending machines cover snacks and drinks around the clock, and there are pet areas for dog walks.
The facility does what most travelers need from their final Washington stop – a chance to regroup before the Oregon portion of their journey. It’s not fancy, but it covers the basics reliably.
What Doesn’t Work
The RV dump station is closed for mechanical repairs that require system upgrades. WSDOT hasn’t said when it might reopen. If you need to empty tanks, plan stops at other I-5 rest areas or continue to Oregon facilities that have working dump stations.
Some travelers report feeling less comfortable here during overnight stops, though experiences vary widely. The facility has had issues with people overstaying parking limits, leading to increased enforcement.
Planning Your Stop
This gets steady traffic as Washington’s final southbound facility. Early morning and late evening tend to be quieter than midday. Since it’s your last free rest area before Oregon, many travelers stop here even if they don’t urgently need a break.
The 8-hour parking limit for cars (11 hours for trucks) is being more actively enforced than at some other rest areas due to ongoing compliance issues.
Traveler Tips
• No RV dump station currently – plan alternative stops if you need waste disposal
• Coffee timing depends on volunteer schedules, typically during daytime
• Consider stopping even if you don’t need to – next facilities are in Oregon
• Respect parking time limits – enforcement has increased recently
• Pet areas available but keep dogs leashed per state law
What Travelers Say
The volunteer coffee program gets consistent praise when it’s operating. Overall facility reviews are mixed – some find it adequate for a quick final stop, while others prefer to push through to Oregon facilities. RV travelers are universally frustrated by the closed dump station, especially since alternatives require backtracking or continuing with full tanks.
Most agree it serves the basic purpose of providing a final Washington break, though it’s not the quality experience some other I-5 rest areas offer.
