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Rules and FAQ's

You may:

  • Park only in designated parking areas for a maximum of 8 hours, unless otherwise posted.
  • Walk your pet, only if it is on a leash and in a designated pet area.
  • Place only your picnic or automobile litter in trash receptacles.
  • Use small stoves, but no open fires.
  • Dump sanitary wastes only from RV holding tanks at designated dump stations.

You may not:

  • Camp or pitch a tent.
  • Consume alcoholic beverages.
  • Discard litter, except in containers provided.
  • Aggressively solicit money or goods.
  • Sell goods or conduct commercial activities, except by permit.
  • Cut, pick, or damage vegetation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are designated "pet areas" at the rest areas only for dogs?
    Designated pet areas are intended for service animals and household pets on a leash.  Typically this would be cats and dogs.  These areas are not meant or designed to exercise large animals. 
  2. Are commerical activites such as selling food products allowed at rest areas?
    Commercial sales of any product or service are not permitted at SRA's, with the exception of articles sold through vending machines.  The restriction is based on Section 111 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) of 1982.
  3. Are vehicles other than recreational vehicles allowed to use the "RV Dump Stations"?
    The disposal systems are for dumping sanitary wastes only from personal recreational vehicles; no use by commercial vehicles are allowed.  The construction, maintenance, and operation of RV dump stations at safety rest areas are all funded by RV owners through special fees.
  4. Can I leave my trailer or vehicle at the SRA for a short time?
    Unattended trailers (private and commercial) limit the number of parking spaces for travelers.  If your vehicle becomes disabled at an SRA put a note in the window with your name, phone and address, indicating the vehicle is disabled and that you will return within 8 hours to repair to have towed.
  5. I want to place a vending machine in an SRA; whom do I contact? 
    Vending at SRAs is managed through an agreement with the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB).  Their contact information is:
    DSB
    Business Enterprise Program,
    Jeanne Gallo: jeagallo@dsb.wa.gov,
    Phone: 1-800-55-7103 
  6. I want to provide coffee and cookies at a rest area; whom do I contact?
    The "Safety Break" program at SRAs is structured to allow nonprofit groups to dispense refreshments in the rest areas to improve traveler safety.  A permit is granted on a first come first serve basis at no cost to the group.  The refreshments must be offered free to the public, but donations can be accepted. 

    Each SRA is managed by a regional office.  The local regional office should be contacted to schedule a date.  The following is a list of the contact phone numbers:
     Safety Rest Area  State Route  Direction  Phone Number
    Bow Hill 5 NB/SB 360.788.2500
     
    Custer 5 NB/SB
    Sea Tac 5 NB 253.872.6470
    Silver Lake 5 SB 425.339.1780
     
    Smokey Point 5 NB/SB
    Nason Creek 2 MD 509.667.2811
    Quincy Valley 28 MD 509.754.2056
    Blue Lake 17 MD
    Winchester 90 EB/WB
    Elma 8 EB 360.533.9346
    Maytown 5 SB 253.589.7255
    Scatter Creek 5 NB
    Chamberlin Lake 14 MD 509.773.5633
    Gee Creek 5 NB/SB 360.905.2202
    Megler 401 MD 360.942.2092
    Toutle River 5 NB/SB 360.748.2181
    Indian John Hill 90 EB/WB 509.575.2827
    Ryegrass 90 EB/WB
    Prosser 82 MD No Free Coffee
    Selah Creek 82 EB/WB 509.575.6583
    Vernita 24 MD
    Hatton Coulee 395 MD 509.324.6583
    Schrag 90 EB/WB
    Sprague Lake 90 EB/WB
    Telford 2 MD
    Horn School 195 MD 509.324.6581

    More information can be found on the WSDOT Free Coffee Program website.

  7. What are the locations of SRAs with separate family/ADA restrooms?
    The following SRAs are on Interstate 5 and 90 have separate restrooms for family/ADA use:

    Interstate 5 -
    Toutle River NB, MP 54
    Toutle River SB, MP 54

    Interstate 90 -
    Winchester EB, MP 162
    Winchester WB, MP 162
    Schrag EB, MP 198
    Schrag WB, MP 198
    Sprague Lake EB, MP 242
    Sprague Lake WB, MP 242

All safety rest areas in Washington State have wheelchair accessible restrooms. 

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