Dixie Caverns was first discovered in 1920 when a dog (named “Dixie”) fell into a hole at the top of a hill. The dog was was rescued by some farm boys who looked into the hole and saw that there was a cavern inside of the hill. Three years later (in 1923) the cavern was opened to the public.

As you will see in the photos included below (original photos taken for this website) the view inside is spectacular. The cavern is probably most famous for the bell-shaped “flowstone formation” known as the “Wedding Bell” where many weddings have taken place over the years.

You can see it all for yourself on a 45 minute guided tour. Tours start at 9:30 AM and go until 5 PM during Winter hours (October 16 through May 31) and they start at 9:30 AM and go until 6 PM during summer hours (June 1 through October 15.) It’s open every day except Christmas & Thanksgiving.

Along with the cavern there’s also camping, a “rock shop,” a gift shop, and a large antiques mall all accessible from the same area.

Directions

It’s easy to get to as it’s right off exit 132 on I-81.

Address

5753 West Main Street
Salem, VA 24153

Cost

$10 per adult for a guided tour into the cave.

Area Hotels

Salem is only about five minutes away and Roanoke is also nearby. If you want to say somewhere unique then Hotel Floyd is highly recommended, it’s about 40 minutes from Dixie Caverns.

Pictures

Tags: Nature, Roanoke County, Salem