There’s a certain magic to driving through the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. The landscape is a rolling sea of green, punctuated by the iconic black or white board fences of world famous horse farms. It’s a place that just begs to be explored in an RV, allowing you to pull over and soak in the scenery at your own pace. Lexington is the epicenter of this world, the self proclaimed “Horse Capital of the World,” and it’s a major draw for RVers. But with popularity comes demand, and the local campgrounds, especially the premier ones, can fill up fast, particularly during race meets or major equestrian events. So what do you do if you’re just passing through, or if you’re staying at a smaller park without its own facilities, and your tanks are nearing their limit? The city has a straightforward, no nonsense solution: the public dump station on Campground Road, located very close to the main entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park.
This isn’t a destination. It’s a tool. It’s a purely functional, get the job done kind of place, and sometimes, that’s exactly what an RVer needs. There are no frills here, no fancy amenities, just a reliable place to empty your grey and black tanks so you can continue your exploration of this beautiful part of the country. Its location is its biggest selling point. You’re right in the thick of things, surrounded by the very attractions that brought you to Lexington in the first place. You can spend your morning touring a legendary horse farm like Claiborne or Spendthrift, watching the thoroughbreds go through their morning workouts at the historic Keeneland Race Course, and then make a quick, convenient stop here to take care of business before heading out on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Distilleries like Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace are just an easy, scenic drive away. And if you’re craving a bit of wilderness, the stunning sandstone cliffs and hiking trails of the Red River Gorge are just over an hour to the east. This dump station serves as a practical hub for all these adventures.
Using a public, campground style dump station like this one is usually a very simple affair. It's built for efficiency. The station is typically set up as a broad pull through lane, so you don’t have to worry about any tricky backing or maneuvering, even with a big rig and a toad. Often, these public stations will have dual lanes, which is a lifesaver on a busy weekend or during a big event at the Horse Park, as it helps to keep the line moving. You can expect to find a dedicated rinse spigot for flushing out your sewer hose. Remember to use your own, separate non-potable water hose for this task. The area is generally well signposted, with clear arrows indicating the direction of traffic flow, all designed to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
The amenities are, as you might expect, basic. You will find non potable water at the dump lane for rinsing. There might be a potable water spigot nearby, perhaps closer to the campground entrance, but you’ll need to be very careful to locate the correct one before you even think about filling your fresh water tank. Always look for clear signage indicating “Potable Water.” The area is open and grassy, so it’s pet friendly in the sense that you can walk your dog, but be sure to keep them on a leash and clean up after them. There are no showers or laundry facilities here. this is strictly a dump and go operation. If you need those kinds of facilities, you’d be better off looking at one of the full service campgrounds in the Lexington area. You will likely find basic restrooms, probably a vault toilet or a simple flush toilet, but their availability and cleanliness can vary, and they may be open only seasonally. One of the big advantages of this spot is the presence of on site dumpsters. This means you can get rid of your household trash at the same time, which is a huge convenience. As with any public facility, you can't count on gas, propane, or repair services.
The cost for using this station can vary. Because it serves the massive Kentucky Horse Park complex, the pricing structure can change depending on what’s going on. It might be a modest flat fee, paid at a kiosk, or it could even be complimentary, especially if it’s a slow time of year. Your best bet is to phone the main office for the Kentucky Horse Park Campground to get the most current information on rates and payment methods. If there is a fee, it’s a good idea to have some exact change or small bills on hand, just in case you’re dealing with an old school payment kiosk.
A few pieces of hard won advice for using this spot. First, timing is everything. Try to avoid the RV rush hours. That means staying away between 7 and 9 in the morning, when everyone is checking out of the nearby campground, and between 3 and 6 in the afternoon, when the new arrivals are rolling in. A mid day stop is usually your best bet. Second, always check the Kentucky Horse Park’s event calendar online before you go. Major events like BreyerFest or the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event can bring in thousands of people, and the roads around the park can get seriously congested. Planning your stop around those big events will save you a major headache. In short, the Campground Road dump station is a workhorse. It’s not pretty, but it’s reliable and centrally located, making it an invaluable resource for anyone touring Lexington’s horse farms and bourbon distilleries. Just call ahead, time your visit wisely, and it will serve you well.
Campground Rd, Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 233-4303
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
