RV Dump Stations Tennessee

Tennessee is a state with a rhythm all its own, a place where the soundtrack of your RV trip can change from the blues on Beale Street to the twang of a guitar on Broadway, and finally to the quiet whisper of the wind in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a state that’s as diverse as its music, and thankfully for those of us exploring it on wheels, it’s got a solid network of RV dump stations to match. Whether you’re chasing history, music, or mountain views, you’ll find that taking care of your tanks is a pretty hassle free part of the journey.
Let’s start with the big cities. Memphis and Nashville are meccas for tourists, and the RV infrastructure reflects that. You’ll find plenty of options on the outskirts of both cities. Near Nashville, the area around the Grand Ole Opry is dotted with large RV parks and resorts that cater to the constant stream of visitors. The same goes for Memphis, where you can find campgrounds just a short drive from Graceland and the downtown attractions. These places are your go to spots for dumping and resupplying. I’ve often used them as a basecamp, taking care of the tanks in the morning before heading into the city for the day. It’s a stress free way to combine urban exploration with the RV lifestyle.
But the real jewel in Tennessee’s crown, for many of us, is the eastern part of the state. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and a huge number of those visitors are RVers. The National Park Service has done a great job here. Several of the main campgrounds on the Tennessee side of the park, like the one at Cades Cove, have their own dump stations. This is a huge convenience. It means you can spend days camping right in the heart of that incredible scenery, and then empty your tanks on your way out without having to search for a facility. The gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are basically one giant RV destination, packed with private campgrounds and resorts, all of which have dump facilities to serve the crowds.
For those of us just passing through, the major interstate corridors like I-40, which bisects the state from east to west, and I-75, a major north south route, are well served. While you might not find dump stations at every single rest area, they are common enough at the large truck stops and travel centers that are never more than an exit or two away. I’ve found Tennessee’s highways to be very RV friendly in this regard. You can almost always count on finding a place to pull in, refuel, and dump the tanks. If you venture off the beaten path, say to explore the beautiful Tennessee River valley or the highlands of the Cumberland Plateau, your best bet will be the state parks. Most Tennessee state parks with campgrounds have dump stations and are beautifully maintained.
The climate in Tennessee is fairly mild, but you do need to be aware of winter in the mountains. While facilities in the central and western parts of the state often stay open year-round, some of the campgrounds and their dump stations in the higher elevations of the Smokies will close for the winter season due to snow and freezing temperatures. It’s always smart to check the national park website or call a campground directly if you’re planning a trip between November and March. But that’s a small detail in an otherwise very accommodating state. From the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Trail, Tennessee makes it easy to keep your RV systems clean, so you can focus on soaking in all that amazing culture and scenery.