Dixie Caverns


Useful Information

Location: Riverside community, Roanoke County, Virginia,
7 km west of Salem, I 81 exit 132, turn right, signposted.
(37.252403, -80.175170)
Open: All year Mon, Wed-Sun 11-16.
Closed Thanksgiving, 25-DEC.
[2022]
Fee: Adults USD 14, Children (5-12) USD 6, Children (0-4) free.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:  
Guided tours: D=45 min.
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography:  
Address: Dixie Caverns & Pottery, Inc., Julie Carper, 5753 West Main St., Salem, VA 24153, Tel. +1-540-380-2085.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1920 discovered by a dog and some farm boys.
1923 opened to the public.
1956 purchased.

Description

Like so many caves, Dixie Caverns was discovered by a curious dog, who fell through a hole into the cave. The owners of the dog, some farm boys, saw this and found the cave. The cave was named Dixie after the dog in honor of his discovery. Today the place were this happened is the first stop on each cave tour.

But those white settlers were not the first to discover the cave. The Native Americans of Southwest Virginia used the cave much earlier for shelter and food storage. Their remains were found in the entrance area.

The cave is used for weddings, they take place at the formation called Wedding Bell.