RV Dump Stations Vermont

Vermont in an RV is a special kind of experience. It’s not about covering vast distances on six lane highways. It’s about slowing down, meandering along scenic country roads, and soaking in the charm of the Green Mountains and the quintessential New England villages that dot the landscape. It’s a state of understated beauty. But that rural, less developed character also means that RVers need to be more deliberate in their planning, especially when it comes to the necessities like finding a dump station. The options in Vermont are limited, and you need to know where they are before you need one.
Think of it as a treasure hunt with a map. Your best bet is to target the state’s larger population centers, which in Vermont terms, aren’t very large at all. Burlington, being the biggest city, has the most options. You can find a couple of private campgrounds on the outskirts that offer dumping services, and I’ve even heard of a city sewage facility that accommodates RVs. Montpelier, the charming little state capital, and its surrounding area will have a facility or two, usually at a private campground or an RV service center. The popular tourist areas, like the ski resort town of Stowe, will also have a few options to serve the RVers who visit, but again, you’re primarily looking at campgrounds.
One of the biggest surprises for many RVers new to Vermont is the state park situation. While the parks themselves are beautiful and rustic, many of them do not have their own dump stations. It’s a departure from what you might be used to in other states. Likewise, the major interstates, I-89 and I-91, are scenic drives, but their rest areas are not equipped with dump facilities. This means you have to plan your route to include a stop at a known facility, likely by exiting the highway and heading to a nearby town. I always make it a habit to check my apps and guides and pinpoint my next dump stop before I even start the engine for the day.
Seasonality is a huge factor in Vermont. The camping season is glorious but short, typically running from May through October. Once the famous fall foliage has faded and the first snows begin to fly, most campgrounds close up shop for the winter. When they close, so do their dump stations. This makes off season RVing in Vermont a real challenge. Your in state options dwindle to just a few, if any. You might find a year round RV dealer who can help you out during business hours, but many winter travelers find it easier to simply pop over the border. Because Vermont is small, it’s not a huge detour to cross into New York or New Hampshire to find a year round travel center with an open dump station.
Above all, you must be a responsible visitor. Vermont’s identity is tied to its pristine natural environment, its clean rivers and lush forests. Illegal dumping is taken very seriously, as it should be. The risk of contaminating a well or a stream is just too high. The good news is that with a little bit of proactive planning, you can easily manage. Pinpoint those key locations in Burlington or near Stowe, make a phone call to a campground to confirm they allow public dumping, and build that stop into your itinerary. By doing so, you can enjoy the serene, unspoiled beauty of the Green Mountain State with peace of mind, knowing you’re doing your part to keep it that way.