RV Dump Stations Indiana

Indiana is the heart of the heartland, a state that truly embodies the spirit of the American Midwest. It’s a place of friendly people, hardworking towns, and roads that are built to get you where you’re going. As an RVer, you often find yourself passing through Indiana, as its nickname, the “Crossroads of America,” is no exaggeration. But it’s also a destination in its own right, with hidden gems like the stunning Indiana Dunes National Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. The good news for us travelers is that the state’s practical, no nonsense attitude extends to its RV infrastructure. Finding a place to dump your tanks in Indiana is generally a simple and convenient affair.
One of the most important things to understand about RVing here is that there’s a tale of two different highway systems. If you’re on one of the main free interstates, like I-65 running north to south or I-70 running east to west, you should not expect to find dump stations at the state-run rest areas. They simply don’t have them. However, if your route takes you across the northern part of the state on the I-80/I-90 Indiana Toll Road, it’s a completely different story. The large service plazas on the toll road are an RVer’s dream. They are true one stop shops. You can pull in, fuel up, grab a bite to eat, and use their clean, well-maintained dump stations. Some of these plazas even have designated overnight parking areas with hookups. It’s an incredibly convenient system, and well worth the price of the tolls if you’re on a long haul trip and value efficiency.
I remember one long travel day, pushing from Pennsylvania toward Chicago, feeling exhausted. We pulled into one of those big toll road plazas in Indiana, and it was like an oasis. We were able to empty our tanks, fill our propane, grab dinner, and get a solid night's sleep, all without ever leaving the plaza. The next morning we were refreshed and ready to tackle the final leg into the city. It’s a system that’s designed with long distance travelers in mind.
Beyond the toll road, Indiana’s state parks are another fantastic resource. They are scattered all across the state, are beautifully maintained, and their campgrounds are almost always equipped with excellent dump facilities. Even many of the smaller county parks have gotten in on the act, offering spots for RVers to take care of their tanks. In the central part of the state around Indianapolis, you’ll find plenty of private RV parks and campgrounds to serve the metro area. Truck stops from the major national chains are also a reliable bet throughout the state, usually offering dumping for a reasonable fee. While Indiana winters can certainly get cold, the key facilities, especially the toll road plazas and the big truck stops, remain operational year round, providing a crucial service for those of us on the road in the off season. Smaller parks will likely close their water systems in the late fall, so a call ahead is always wise if you’re traveling outside of peak season. Overall, Indiana is a straightforward and accommodating state for RVers. Just know the secret of the toll road, and your journey across the crossroads will be a clean and easy one.

Last Updated on 07/01/2025