Planning an RV trip to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Glacier, or Zion? Find out where to dump your tanks near these iconic parks — including in-park stations, nearby towns, and free options along park access roads.
National parks are bucket-list RV destinations, but dump station access inside the parks themselves is limited. Many parks offer one or two dump locations — usually at a major campground — but demand is high, lines are long, and hours are often restricted. The key to stress-free dumping near national parks is knowing your options both inside and outside the park, planning around peak traffic times, and having a backup location identified before you arrive.
General Rules for Dumping Near National Parks
- Arrive early: In-park dump stations see the heaviest use between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during summer. Arrive by 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. for the shortest wait.
- Expect fees: Most in-park dump stations charge $5 to $10, even if you're staying in the park. Gateway towns often have free municipal options.
- Know the seasons: Many park dump stations close in winter. Confirm seasonal hours before planning a shoulder-season or winter visit.
- Plan for distance: Parks are vast. The dump station at one end of Yellowstone may be a two-hour drive from where you're camped. Build extra time into your itinerary.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is one of the most RV-friendly national parks, with dump stations at several major campgrounds. Expect crowds from June through September.
In-Park Dump Stations
- Fishing Bridge RV Park: The largest RV facility in the park, with full hookups and a dump station. Open late May through late September. Expect lines during peak summer weekends.
- Canyon Campground: Central location, dump station accessible to campers and day visitors for a fee. Convenient if you're exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area.
- Grant Village: South end of the park near the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Dump station available during camping season (late May through September).
Gateway Towns
- West Yellowstone, Montana: Several private campgrounds and RV parks offer dump access for a fee. The town is the primary western gateway and has the best dump infrastructure outside the park.
- Gardiner, Montana: North entrance town with a few dump options. Rocky Mountain RV Park allows non-guest dumping.
- Cody, Wyoming: East entrance gateway. The Cody KOA and several municipal options serve travelers coming from the east.
Grand Canyon National Park
The South Rim sees the vast majority of RV traffic. The North Rim has limited services and closes entirely in winter.
South Rim Options
- Mather Campground: The primary South Rim campground has a dump station near the entrance. Accessible year-round, but expect waits during summer and holiday weekends. Fee required.
- Trailer Village: Full-hookup RV park inside the park. Guests have access to the dump station; non-guests can dump for a fee if space allows.
Gateway Towns
- Tusayan, Arizona: Just outside the south entrance. Several private RV parks and a public dump station at the Tusayan General Store. Convenient and less crowded than in-park options.
- Williams, Arizona: An hour south of the park on I-40. Multiple dump stations including the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park. Good option if you're approaching from Flagstaff.
- Flagstaff, Arizona: Larger city with multiple dump options. Woody Mountain Campground and Fort Tuthill County Park both offer dump access. About 90 minutes from the South Rim.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite's dump access is concentrated in Yosemite Valley. RV size restrictions apply throughout the park — vehicles over 40 feet are not permitted on most park roads.
In-Park Dump Stations
- Upper Pines Campground: Yosemite Valley. The primary dump station for the park, open during camping season (typically April through October). Long lines are common from June through August. Arrive before 9 a.m. if possible.
Gateway Towns
- Mariposa, California: Western gateway town on Highway 140. Several campgrounds and RV parks with dump access. Less congested than in-park stations.
- Oakhurst, California: Southern gateway near the Wawona entrance. High Sierra RV Park and other facilities serve RVers heading to or from Fresno.
- Lee Vining, California: Eastern gateway on Highway 120 (Tioga Pass, summer only). Mono Vista RV Park has dump access. Essential for anyone crossing the Sierra via Tioga Pass.
For more California dump options, see our complete California dump station directory.
Glacier National Park
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road restricts RV size and has no dump stations along its length. Plan to dump before entering or after exiting the park.
In-Park and Near-Park Options
- Apgar Campground: West entrance area. Dump station available to campers. Open late May through mid-September.
- St. Mary Campground: East side of the park. Seasonal dump station (late May through September).
Gateway Towns
- West Glacier, Montana: Primary west entrance town. West Glacier RV Park and KOA offer dump access.
- St. Mary, Montana: East entrance. Limited services but Johnson's of St. Mary campground has a dump station.
- Whitefish, Montana: Larger town about 30 miles west of the park. Multiple dump options including city RV park and private campgrounds.
Zion National Park
Zion's main canyon is accessed by shuttle during peak season, and RV parking is extremely limited. Dumping is best done before entering the park or in nearby Springdale.
In-Park Options
- Watchman Campground: Near the south entrance, dump station available to campers and day visitors for a fee. Open year-round but busiest March through October.
Gateway Towns
- Springdale, Utah: The town directly outside the park's south entrance. Zion River Resort and other private campgrounds offer dump access. Convenient and less congested than the in-park station.
- Hurricane, Utah: About 30 minutes southwest of Zion. Sand Hollow State Park and several private facilities offer dumping. Good option if you're also visiting nearby state parks.
Planning Ahead: Use Our State Directories
National park RV trips require more planning than standard campground travel. Before you leave, use our state-by-state dump station directory to map out dump options along your entire route — not just near the park itself. Have backup plans identified for every leg of your trip, and confirm seasonal availability if you're traveling outside peak summer months.
Plan your national park dump stops ahead of time
Search our directory for dump stations near Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and all major national parks.