If you’re an RV owner, you know that finding a dump station is an essential part of the RV lifestyle. When your tanks are full, you need a place to dump your waste and fill up on fresh water. Fortunately, there are a few ways to find RV dump stations near you.

1. Use an RV Dump Station Locator App

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to find RV dump stations near you is to use an RV dump station locator app. There are several free and paid apps available for both iOS and Android devices that can help you find the closest dump station.

The app will show you the nearest RV dump stations and provide information such as the location, hours of operation, and fees. Some apps even allow you to filter the results by type of dump station (such as free or fee-based) and amenities available.

Some popular RV dump station locator apps include:

• RV Dump Stations ($0.99)

• Sanidumps RV Dump Station Locator ($2.99)

• Allstays Camp & RV ($9.99)

• iExit Interstate Exit Guide (free)

2. Use a Website or Online Directory

If you don’t have a smartphone or prefer to use a computer, you can also find RV dump stations using a website or online directory. Many of these websites and directories are free to use and offer similar information to RV dump station locator apps.

Some popular websites and directories include:

• Sanidumps.com: This website offers a comprehensive directory of RV dump stations in the United States and Canada, with over 12,000 locations listed. You can search by city, state/province, or zip/postal code.

• RVDumps.com: This website offers a database of dump stations across the United States, Canada, and Australia. You can search by location or use the interactive map to find dump stations along your route.

• Campendium.com: This website is primarily a campground directory, but it also includes a section for dump stations. You can search by state or use the interactive map to find dump stations near you.

• RVparky.com: This website includes a directory of RV parks and campgrounds, as well as a section for dump stations. You can search by location or use the interactive map to find dump stations along your route.

3. Check with Local RV Parks and Campgrounds

If you’re staying at an RV park or campground, they may have a dump station available for guests to use. Some RV parks and campgrounds may also allow non-guests to use their dump stations for a fee. To find out if a nearby RV park or campground has a dump station, you can:

• Check their website: Most RV parks and campgrounds will list their amenities on their website, including whether they have a dump station.

• Call or email them: Contact the RV park or campground directly and ask if they have a dump station available for use by non-guests.

• Check in at the front desk: If you’re staying at an RV park or campground, ask the front desk if they have a dump station available for guests and non-guests.

4. Use a GPS Navigation System

Some GPS navigation systems, such as Garmin and TomTom, include RV-specific points of interest (POI) databases. These databases include RV dump stations, as well as campgrounds, fuel stations, and other useful locations for RVers.

To find RV dump stations using your GPS navigation system, you can:

• Search for “RV dump station” in the POI database: Many GPS navigation systems allow you to search for specific POIs, such as “RV dump station.” Once you find a dump station, you can get turn-by-turn directions to the location.

• Use the “Near Me” feature: Some GPS navigation systems have a “Near Me” or “Points of Interest” feature that can help you find RV dump stations nearby. This feature typically allows you to search for a specific category of POI, such as “RV dump station,” within a certain distance of your current location.

To use the “Near Me” feature on your GPS navigation system to find RV dump stations near you, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your GPS navigation system and make sure it has a current map update.
2. Select the “Near Me” or “Points of Interest” option on the main menu.
3. Choose the “RV dump station” category from the list of available POIs.
4. Enter the distance you’re willing to travel to find a dump station.
5. The GPS navigation system will display a list of all the RV dump stations within the specified distance from your current location.
6. Select the dump station you want to use, and the GPS navigation system will provide turn-by-turn directions to the location.

Note that not all GPS navigation systems may have an RV dump station category in their POI database. If your GPS doesn’t have this category, try searching for other related categories, such as “campgrounds,” “RV parks,” or “travel centers.” You may find dump stations listed under these categories.

6. Use Social Media or Online Forums

Social media platforms such as Facebook and online forums such as RV.net or iRV2 can be great resources for finding RV dump stations. You can post a question asking for recommendations for dump stations near you and get responses from fellow RVers. Some RV groups on Facebook even have files or resources with lists of dump stations by state or region.

7. Check with Municipalities or Rest Areas

Some municipalities may have dump stations available for public use, such as at a wastewater treatment plant or public works facility. Rest areas along highways may also have dump stations available for RVers to use. To find out if there are any municipal or rest area dump stations near you, you can:

• Check the website of the municipality or rest area: They may have information about available amenities, including whether they have a dump station.

• Contact the municipality or rest area directly: You can call or email to inquire about dump stations.

• Check a rest area guide: Some rest area guides or apps, such as Rest Stops Plus, include information about available amenities, including dump stations.

8. Ask Other RVers

If you’re at a campground or RV park, don’t be afraid to ask other RVers if they know of any nearby dump stations. Many RVers are happy to share their knowledge and experiences, and you may discover a hidden gem that isn’t listed on any websites or apps.

In conclusion, finding RV dump stations near you is essential for the RV lifestyle. There are several ways to find dump stations, including using an RV dump station locator app, a website or online directory, checking with local RV parks and campgrounds, using a GPS navigation system, using social media or online forums, checking with municipalities or rest areas, and asking other RVers. With these resources at your disposal, you should have no trouble finding a dump station whenever you need one.