Dump Fee
A fee charged for using a dump station, typically at truck stops, private RV parks, or municipal facilities. Free at most NPS and state park campgrounds.
Also called: dump fee, dump station fee, sewage disposal fee
A dump fee is the charge for using a dump station, typically at truck stops, private RV parks, or municipal facilities. Free at most NPS and state park campgrounds for camping guests.
Typical dump fee structure
| Location | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| NPS/state park campground (for guests) | Free |
| NPS/state park campground (non-guests) | $5-$15 |
| Forest service dump stations | Free or $5 |
| Truck stops (Love’s, Pilot, Flying J) | $5-$15 |
| Private RV parks (for non-guests) | $10-$25 |
| Municipal dump stations | $5-$15 |
| Some highway rest areas | Free or $5 |
Where dump fees apply
Most fee-charging dump stations require:
- Cash or credit card payment
- Park here for limited time (typically 20-30 minutes)
- Wait in line during peak season
- Use facility-specific instructions
Free dump stations
Many locations offer free dumping:
NPS and state park campgrounds (for campers)
Free for registered campers at:
- All NPS campgrounds with dump facilities
- Most state park campgrounds
- Most municipal campgrounds
Walmart and similar locations
Some Walmart locations historically allow free overnight RV parking — but few have dump stations. Check before relying on this.
Highway rest areas
Some states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, others) have free dump stations at major highway rest areas. Check state DOT websites.
USFS forest campgrounds
Many forest service campgrounds with dump stations are free or low-cost.
Finding dump stations on routes
Apps and resources:
- Sanidumps.com — comprehensive directory
- Allstays App — paid app with dump station locations
- RVDumps.com — user-contributed dump station data
- iOverlander — international and US dump stations
For planning routes:
- Map dump stations every 200-400 miles on planned route
- Confirm operating hours for non-24/7 facilities
- Have backup options in case primary closed
Dumping at private campgrounds without staying
Some private RV parks allow:
- Dump-only access for $10-$25
- May require advance notice
- Often limited to specific hours
Always call ahead to confirm.
Avoiding dump fees
Strategies:
- Use NPS/state park campground dump when staying overnight (free for campers)
- Plan dump stops at free rest areas when traveling
- Time dumps with campground arrival (free at most campgrounds)
- Group dumps — do all tanks at once rather than partial dumps
Black + grey + propane combo
Some dump stations offer combined services:
- Black + grey dump: standard at most facilities
- Black + grey + propane refill: some Love’s, Pilot, Flying J locations
- Black + grey + fresh water fill: many state parks
- Combined fee: typically slightly less than separate
What to expect at a fee dump
Standard flow:
- Pull into dump station
- Pay fee (cash, card, app)
- Use facility for designated time
- Drain tanks per dump station procedure
- Rinse exterior of hose
- Add tank treatment
- Exit promptly to allow next user
In rental contracts
Most rental contracts include:
- Free dumping at end of rental when returned to home location
- Dump fee responsibility during trip
- Tank treatment sometimes provided in kit
- Sewer hose typically provided
Read your specific contract for dump-fee details.
Specialty: macerator pumps
Some larger Class A motorhomes have macerator pumps that allow dumping via small hose. This expands available dump locations to include sewer cleanouts at residential locations (with permission). Most rentals don’t have these.