RV Dump Stations Delaware

Delaware is a state of quiet charm. It might be the second smallest state in the nation, but it punches above its weight with lovely coastal towns, a rich history as the “First State,” and some of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic seaboard. For RVers, it can be a fantastic destination for a relaxing getaway. However, when it comes to the practical matter of managing your holding tanks, Delaware holds a rather dubious distinction. It has, by a significant margin, the fewest RV dump stations of any state in the country. This isn't a criticism, just a simple fact of geography and population density. And it means that if you plan to travel here in your rig, you need a solid, foolproof plan for your wastewater.
Let's not beat around the bush. You will not find dump stations at highway rest areas in Delaware. You will not find them at most gas stations or truck stops. The search for a random, public dump site will almost certainly end in frustration. In Delaware, the entire world of waste disposal revolves around one place: the campground. The strategy is straightforward. You either plan to stay at a campground with a dump station, or you plan to use a neighboring state’s resources. It’s really that simple. The state parks, like the gorgeous Cape Henlopen or Lums Pond, are your best bet. If you are a registered camper, you will have access to a clean, well maintained station as part of your stay. This is, by far, the most stress free way to handle the situation.
I remember a trip we took to the Delaware shore a few years back. We knew the situation going in, so we booked a spot at a private RV park near Rehoboth Beach. The first thing we did upon arrival was empty our tanks from the drive down. We enjoyed our week at the beach, and the very last thing we did before pulling out onto the highway was visit the dump station again. We treated the campground as our full service base of operations. We never even considered looking for a station "on the road" because, for all practical purposes, they don't exist. If you are just passing through and not staying overnight, your only real option is to do what we talked about for Connecticut: call private campgrounds ahead of time and ask if they’ll let you pay a fee to dump. Many are accommodating, but you can’t just show up unannounced.
The other key part of the Delaware strategy is to leverage its small size. You are never, ever far from another state. If you’re in northern Delaware, a quick trip into Maryland, Pennsylvania, or over the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey opens up a world of possibilities. I’ve known RVers who make a point to cross into Maryland to find a travel center with a dump station before continuing their Delaware beach vacation. It might sound like a hassle, but when you look at it on a map, it’s often a detour of only a few miles. You also need to be mindful of the season. While many of the state parks and larger coastal RV resorts are open year round, some smaller private campgrounds may have reduced services or be closed entirely during the winter months, so a call ahead is always a good idea in the off season. RVing in Delaware is fantastic, but it requires you to think differently. Your campground is your oasis, your full service pit stop. Embrace that mindset, and you can enjoy everything the First State has to offer without a single worry.