RV Dump Stations Maryland

Maryland is a fantastic state for RVing because it packs so much variety into such a compact package. You can have your toes in the Atlantic sand in the morning and be looking out over the Appalachian Mountains by evening. For a smaller state, it’s surprisingly well-equipped with RV dump stations, and they’ve put some of them in some very clever and convenient places. It’s clear they understand that RVers are a big part of their tourism economy. The crown jewel of their system, for me at least, is the free, public dump station located right on Interstate 95. At the Maryland House and Chesapeake House travel plazas, on both the northbound and southbound sides between Baltimore and DC, there’s a dedicated lane for RVs to pull in and dump their tanks. This is an absolute game-changer for anyone traveling that busy corridor. It’s the perfect place to empty out before you hit the city traffic or as you’re making your escape. I can’t tell you how many times that free stop has saved me time and hassle.
Of course, the beaches are a huge draw. If you’re headed to the Eastern Shore, places like Ocean City are teeming with private campgrounds, and they all have dump stations. The real prize out there, though, is Assateague Island. Both the state park and the national seashore have campgrounds and the necessary dump facilities. There’s nothing quite like spending a few days with the wild horses, and it’s great knowing you can handle your tank situation right there before you head back over the bridge. Around the Chesapeake Bay, many of the state parks and private campgrounds cater to both the boating and RVing crowds, so you’ll find plenty of options there as well.
As you head west, the landscape gets more mountainous and the towns get more spread out. In this part of the state, around Deep Creek Lake and along the I-68 corridor, you’ll be relying more heavily on the state parks. They are your most dependable bet out there. There are a few truck stops, but they’re not as numerous as on I-95. So, if you’re exploring western Maryland, it’s a good idea to adopt the "dump when you can" philosophy. Don’t pass up a known good station at a park thinking you’ll easily find another one an hour down the road. Seasonality is also a factor out west. While most facilities in the eastern and central parts of the state stay open year-round, some of the campgrounds in the colder, snowier mountains will close for the winter. That means their dump stations are also out of commission, so a quick phone call in the off-season is always a smart move.
Marylanders are fiercely protective of the Chesapeake Bay, and for good reason. It’s the ecological and economic heart of the state. As a result, they are extremely serious about clean water, and the rules against illegal dumping are strictly enforced. You absolutely must use a designated facility. The good news is, they make it pretty easy to do the right thing. Most stations are well-maintained and provide a non-potable water hose for rinsing out your sewer hose and the area around the drain. It’s just good etiquette to leave the place cleaner than you found it. From the coastal plains to the mountain peaks, Maryland really delivers for RVers, offering a surprising number of convenient and often free options to take care of the dirty work so you can get back to the adventure.