How To Find Free and Low-Cost RV Dump Stations

Above, the dump station at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One "necessary evil" of RVing is emptying out the RV's holding tanks, especially the black water tank. When I lived in California, I used the dump station at Malibu Creek State Park. Their charge for this was $12. 

Camping World in Valencia, California offered free holding tank dumping if one was a Good Sam member. I don't know if they still do. But it was a 20-mile drive from home to go there.

Holding tank dumping goes equally for those who are in RV parks and dry camping out in the middle of nowhere. 

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on how to find free and low-cost RV dump stations when one is dry camping.

They begin it with:

If you spend much time dry camping or boondocking, dumping your RV tanks is part of the routine. Without full hookups, it’s not something you can put off or figure out at the last minute. Knowing where to dump and planning for it before your tanks are full makes off-grid travel far less stressful.

Paying $10–$25 just to use a campground dump station can add up quickly, especially when you’re not staying overnight. That’s why many RVers look for free or low-cost dump stations along their route. This guide covers where to find RV dump stations, how to locate them ahead of time, and what to expect when you pull in to dump.

To read more, go here.