Key takeaways
- Bring disposable gloves, your sewer hose and a rinse hose – never use the drinking-water hose for rinsing.
- Empty the black tank first, then the gray tank – the gray water rinses the hose.
- Dump stations at rest areas and some state facilities are often free; campgrounds and travel centers may charge a fee.
- Etiquette: be ready before you pull up, don’t rinse your whole RV, and leave the station cleaner than you found it.
On this page
What is an RV dump station?
An RV dump station (sanitary dump station) is an inlet connected to a sewer or septic system where RVs empty their black tank (toilet) and gray tank (sinks and shower). Most have a non-potable water hose for rinsing and a separate potable water tap for filling your fresh-water tank.
We list 1,547 RV dump stations on our dump station map – at rest areas, travel centers, campgrounds and city facilities.
What you need
- Disposable gloves (and a second pair for afterwards).
- Your sewer hose with fittings, plus a hose support if the inlet is far.
- A clear elbow fitting, so you can see when the tank runs clear.
- A separate rinse hose – never use your drinking-water hose at the dump inlet.
- Hand sanitizer and paper towels.
How to use a dump station, step by step
- Pull up so your tank outlet is on the side of the inlet. Most stations are built for the driver’s side; check before you stop.
- Put on gloves. Open the inlet cover (usually with your foot on a pedal or by hand).
- Connect the sewer hose to your RV first, then put the other end firmly into the inlet. Some drivers weigh it down or use a threaded adapter.
- Open the black tank valve. Let it drain completely.
- Close the black valve, open the gray valve. The gray water rinses the hose.
- Rinse the black tank if your RV has a flush inlet, then drain again.
- Close all valves. Lift the hose to drain it, disconnect from the RV first, then from the inlet.
- Rinse the hose and the inlet area with the non-potable hose, close the inlet cover and store your gear.
- Refill fresh water only from the potable tap, with your drinking-water hose.
What does a dump station cost?
Prices vary widely. Dump stations at state rest areas and some city facilities are often free. Travel centers and campgrounds may charge a fee for non-guests or include it with fuel or a stay. The fee is usually posted at the station or paid inside.
RV dump station etiquette
- Have your gloves on and your hose ready before you pull up.
- Only dump and rinse – don’t wash your RV or fill tanks for a long time while others wait.
- Never leave the station dirty. Rinse spills into the inlet.
- Use the potable tap only for drinking water and never put the sewer hose near it.
- If there’s a line, pull forward to finish putting gear away.
- Don’t dump gray water on the ground – at rest areas or anywhere else.
Where to find a dump station
Open the RV dump station map to see stations near you or along your route. Some rest areas have dump stations – filter the map by “Dump station”. Many travel centers and truck stops on interstates have one too, as do state parks and campgrounds.
Common mistakes – and how to avoid them
- Opening the valve before the hose is secure. Always connect both ends first and check the fit at the inlet.
- Dumping gray before black. You lose the rinse – the black residue stays in your hose.
- Using the wrong hose. The drinking-water hose never touches the dump inlet or the rinse tap; label your hoses.
- Leaving the valves open at a campsite. Liquids drain, solids stay – and build up into a hard-to-clear pyramid in the black tank.
- Forgetting the cap. Put the cap back on your outlet before you drive off; a leaking valve can drip on the road.
Tank care between dumps
Use toilet paper that breaks down quickly (RV or septic-safe), and enough water with every flush. Many RVers add a tank treatment to control odors. If your tank sensors read “full” right after a dump, the sensors are probably coated – a thorough rinse or a tank wand usually fixes it.
In freezing weather, keep valves closed and add RV antifreeze to the tanks if you’re not using them; frozen valves and hoses crack easily. Some dump stations close in winter, so check before you count on one.
Dump stations at rest areas
Some states have dump stations at rest areas or welcome centers, often free of charge. They’re convenient because you don’t have to leave the interstate – but they can close for the season or for repairs. On our map, filter rest areas by “Dump station” to see which ones have one, and check the rest area’s page before you rely on it.
Find the next rest area on your route
Every stop with direction of travel, exit and amenities.
Frequently asked questions
Do you dump black or gray water first?
Black first, then gray. The gray water flushes the hose after the black tank.
How much does it cost to use a dump station?
Many rest area and city dump stations are free; travel centers and campgrounds may charge a fee for non-guests. Check the sign at the station.
Can you dump gray water on the ground?
Generally no. Most states and localities prohibit it. Use a dump station.
How often should I empty my RV tanks?
When they’re about two-thirds to three-quarters full – a fuller black tank flushes better than a nearly empty one.
Sources
Rules change. If you find an error, tell us – see our editorial policy for how we check facts.
IT enthusiast · builds free data tools
Sinan is an IT enthusiast from Bad Homburg, Germany, who builds free tools that turn open data into answers for everyday problems – from bike pumps (bike-pump.com) to rest stops. He doesn’t drive a truck for a living; every rule in these guides comes from the state or federal source linked next to it.