RV Dump Stations Minnesota
- Albert Lea
- Andover
- Buffalo
- Clearwater
- Cloquet
- Coon Rapids
- Deer River
- Duluth
- Eagan
- Faribault
- Hastings
- Isanti
- Jordan
- Lakeville
- Little Falls
- Lonsdale
- Mankato
- Maple Grove
- Maple Plain
- Maplewood
- Minneapolis
- Monticello
- North Branch
- North Mankato
- Ogilvie
- Orono
- Owatonna
- Peterson
- Princeton
- Prior Lake
- Proctor
- Red Wing
- Rochester
- Royalton
- Sauk Centre
- Savage
- Shafer
- Spicer
- St Cloud
- St Paul
- Swan River
- Walnut Grove
- Waterville
- Willmar
- Winona
- Zumbrota
Minnesota, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," is a dream destination for anyone who loves the outdoors, and it’s a great state to explore in an RV. But when it comes to the practical chore of emptying your tanks, you need to know the local rules of the road. Finding a dump station isn't hard, but you won't find them where you might in other states. The first thing every RVer needs to know about Minnesota is that the highway rest areas do not have dump stations. Don’t even bother looking. They are for a quick break, and that’s about it. Instead, you’ll want to shift your focus to the large, modern travel plazas and gas stations that dot the major highways.
These big truck stops are your most reliable bet, especially in the more populated southern half of the state and around the Twin Cities. They’re used to RV traffic, they have dedicated lanes, and they’re open 24/7. You’ll also find that some of the big outdoor outfitter stores, the kind that sell boats and fishing gear, often have a dump station on their property as a service to their customers. It’s a smart business move, and a real convenience for us. Beyond that, the vast network of private campgrounds across the state is your next best option. From the rolling farmlands in the south to the deep woods up north, campgrounds are plentiful, and nearly all of them have a dump station for their guests. If you’re just passing through, most will let you dump for a fee, usually around ten to fifteen dollars. Just pull into the office and ask.
As you get into the more rural lake country, you might find some other local options. A few county parks or even city-run facilities will have a seasonal dump station, typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. These can be great finds, sometimes even free, but they aren't always well-advertised. This is where talking to other RVers or a friendly local at the gas station can pay off. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: winter. Minnesota winters are no joke, and they fundamentally change the RVing landscape. Once the ground freezes, the vast majority of dump stations at campgrounds and parks close up shop. The water is turned off to prevent pipes from bursting, and they are out of service until spring.
However, Minnesota has a fantastic solution for the hardy full-timers and off-season travelers. You can find a number of facilities, often at truck stops or dedicated RV service centers, that have heated, indoor dump bays. I’ll never forget the first time I used one in the middle of a January cold snap. Being able to pull my rig inside a warm building to do the dirty work, out of the wind and snow, felt like the height of luxury. It’s a thoughtful touch that shows how much the state values its year-round travelers. No matter the season, it’s critical to be a good steward of the land here. Those 10,000 lakes are a precious resource, and the state has very strict rules against any kind of illegal dumping. Always use a proper, designated facility and clean up after yourself. It’s the "Minnesota Nice" thing to do. With a bit of planning around using travel centers instead of rest areas, you’ll find Minnesota is a wonderfully manageable state for RVing, leaving you free to enjoy all that pristine water and natural beauty.