RV Dump Stations Illinois
- Atkinson
- Belvidere
- Bethalto
- Big Rock
- Bourbonnais Township
- Byron
- Carlock
- Chebanse
- Crete
- Creve Coeur
- Decatur
- Des Plaines
- Downers Grove
- East Alton
- East Moline
- East St Louis
- Edwardsville
- Effingham
- Elgin
- Garden Prairie
- Glen Carbon
- Granite City
- Greenup
- Hampton
- Joliet
- Knoxville
- Leland
- Loves Park
- Marengo
- Marseilles
- Morris
- Naperville
- North Chicago
- North Utica
- Pontoon Beach
- Rochelle
- Rock Island
- Roscoe
- Sauget
- Sauk Village
- Scott AFB
- South Beloit
- Spring Grove
- Sycamore
- Tuscola
- Volo
- Wadsworth
- Wauconda
- West Chicago
- Willow Springs
Illinois is a state of two distinct personalities, and as an RVer, you get to experience both. There’s the powerful, magnetic pull of Chicago, a dense, vertical world of steel and glass, and then there is the rest of the state, a vast, horizontal landscape of tranquil farmland and prairie that stretches out to the horizon. It’s the true crossroads of America, a place you’ll likely find yourself driving through on any major cross country trip. Navigating this state of contrasts in a big rig is an interesting challenge, and the strategy for finding a dump station changes dramatically depending on which Illinois you’re in.
Let’s start with the big one: Chicago. If you’re planning to take your RV anywhere near the city center, you need a plan. The immediate metro area is what I like to call a dump station desert. Facilities are incredibly scarce, and the last thing you want to be doing is trying to maneuver a 40 foot motorhome through dense city traffic on a desperate search for one. The pro move is to treat Chicago like an island. Before you venture into the thick of the suburbs, find a state park, private campground, or travel center well outside the city and take care of business. Empty your tanks, fill your fresh water, and then you can proceed with peace of mind. Do the same on your way out. It completely removes the stress from the urban part of your adventure.
Once you’re out of the Chicagoland gravitational pull, life gets much, much easier. Downstate Illinois is a different world. The roads open up, the pace slows down, and the services for RVers are surprisingly good. And here lies one of Illinois’s best kept secrets for travelers: the interstate rest area dump station. On major arteries like I-80, I-70, and I-55, keep your eyes peeled for the telltale blue sign with the RV dump symbol. Not every rest area has one, but a good number of them do, and they are a godsend. There’s nothing better than being on a long haul day and being able to pull over for a quick, easy, and often free dump without having to detour miles off the highway. It’s a fantastic perk that more states should adopt.
Of course, you also have the standard, reliable options. Illinois has a wonderful state park system, with beautiful campgrounds like the one at Starved Rock State Park, and they are almost always equipped with dump stations for their guests. Private campgrounds are also plentiful along the interstates. If you find yourself exploring the state's great natural areas, like the Shawnee National Forest in the south, you might also find facilities at local marinas or public boat launches. And as with any state in the Midwest, winter is a factor. The smaller campgrounds, particularly at state parks, will often shut down their water and close their dump stations for the season. However, those trusty interstate rest area stations and the big truck stops usually remain open year round, providing a lifeline for full timers and winter travelers. Illinois really is a tale of two states, but with a little bit of smart planning around Chicago and an appreciation for those convenient rest stop dumps, it’s a smooth and easy ride.