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Campground at Dixie Caverns
Overview
The Campground at Dixie Caverns offers a unique and historical stay nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established near the historic Dixie Caverns, this park has served travelers since the 1920s, providing a rustic and peaceful atmosphere. Unlike modern concrete resorts, this campground emphasizes a natural, wooded setting that allows visitors to disconnect and enjoy the beauty of the Virginia landscape while remaining close to modern conveniences and the unique subterranean wonders on-site.
Location & Surroundings
Strategically located just off Interstate 81 at Exit 132, the park provides easy access for those traveling through the Mid-Atlantic region. It is situated in Salem, Virginia, just minutes away from the vibrant city of Roanoke. The surrounding terrain is defined by rolling hills and lush forests, offering a quiet respite from highway noise. Travelers will find the park serves as an excellent gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the scenic vistas of the Appalachian Trail.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features a variety of sites designed to accommodate different RV sizes. Guests can enjoy essential features such as:
- Full hookups with 30 and 50-amp electrical service.
- Spacious pull-through sites for easy big-rig access.
- On-site laundry facilities and clean bathhouses.
- A large gift shop specializing in minerals, fossils, and antiques.
The shaded lots provide a cool canopy during the warmer Virginia summer months, making it a comfortable spot for long-term stays or quick overnight visits.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the Dixie Caverns, where guests can take guided tours through stunning underground formations just steps from their campsite. For outdoor enthusiasts, the famous McAfee Knob hike is a short drive away, offering some of the most photographed views on the Appalachian Trail. Nearby Roanoke features the iconic Mill Mountain Star and a variety of local breweries and museums, ensuring there is plenty to explore within a twenty-minute radius of the campground.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is an ideal choice for I-81 travelers looking for a convenient and safe overnight stop with a unique twist. It is perfectly suited for families interested in geology and history, as well as hikers wanting a basecamp near Virginia’s most famous trails. Those who prefer a relaxed, rustic environment over a crowded resort atmosphere will find the Campground at Dixie Caverns to be a charming and practical addition to their road trip itinerary.
Amenities
- Tenting
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Darrell & Jeredene Ollenberger
The park was easy to find. It is located just off of I 81. There is pavement all the way. Signage is adequate. Check in was self serve. If you don’t have the correct cash, the operator will follow up at the site. The rules are fairly basic. The interior roads are graveled and in good condition. Our site, 59, was a gravel based pull thru that was easily long enough for our Coach and Towed. Services (30 amp, water and sewer only) were to the left side. Distancing is very close for a rural park. Each site has a table and a fire pit. The fire pit was very rough. Just a few stones tossed on the ground. Our site was flat and even. Overall the park was pretty old and rustic but not a bad overnighter We did not use the park included wifi and we could not get the cable TV to work. We did not find any OTA channels. Satellite might be difficult. We did not use the washrooms or showers as they required a code and we did not need them anyway. There are a number of permanents and many were pretty trashy. There are no restaurants or stores within easy walking distance but just a short drive away you can find food, shopping and convenience stores. We found this park to be an okay overnighter. We paid $50.00 per night inc tax and we feel we received poor value. We will not be back.
Razorhornet
My recent visit to Dixie Caverns was a fantastic experience! The tour was well worth the $18 admission fee, and though there was no military discount, the value was still excellent. The tour itself was a comfortable length, lasting about 30-45 minutes. The cavern's interior was refreshingly cool, and it was fascinating to learn about its history, especially how it got the name 'Dixie.' It's a truly unique and beautiful natural wonder, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting and educational stop.
jon jackson
A great place to stop and browse the awesome and eclectic gift shop and antique mall or take a cavern tour into the cool (literally and figuratively). Lots of steps and sometimes slippery floors so dress appropriately. My family really enjoyed the whole experience. Also there's a gas station next door with pretty decent food and drink options.
Nate (Nate Tormala)
This place was a neat cavern to explore. The group we were with was small and that made it nice to be able to enjoy what we were looking at and we had time to take plenty of photos. It was a bit warm and humid in the cavern though lol. There was a lot of wet spots and areas where you need to be careful and watch your step. The guide we had did really great with giving us a heads up about where to watch our steps at. Check out this place! It’s pretty cool!
Jason Hurlburt
Great cave, great history - but be forewarned - you're in for a workout! This is a one hour tour that is almost all stairs. Do you like stairs? Then you'll love this tour! Ten feet into it the tour guide announces you will be climbing "Jacob's Ladder" - which is an eight story flight of steps. While that's the longest continuous flight of steps in the tour, the rest of it is a series of shorter up/down steps. This is not a cave for mobility challenged people. I reached my exercise goal for the day six minutes into the tour and the tour lasts for an hour! That said, it's a great little cave. The history of the discovery is amazing, and this is the only cave I've been to where you can see an actual earth fault line from below ground, which is amazing. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and the time passed quickly. There was no dead time. I would definitely go again, but I'd do some cardio first!