Nature & Parks· 1920· Salem

Dixie Caverns

Two farm boys found the entrance in 1920 when their dog, Dixie, fell through a hole in the ground. They named the caverns after the dog. Guided tours began in 1923 and have run continuously since, making this one of Virginia's oldest commercial caves. The cave is a limestone solution cave. The best-known formation is a bell-shaped flowstone called the Wedding Bell. When tapped, it produces a resonant tone. Weddings have been held under the Bell. Tours are guided and last approximately 45 minutes. The temperature inside holds steady at 56°F year-round. The cave sits in a hill overlooking the surrounding region in Roanoke County, four miles west of Salem, just off I-81. Open daily.

Quick facts

·Discovered in 1920 by two boys chasing a groundhog — the entrance was a small hole in the hillside.
·Open continuously since 1923, one of Virginia's oldest commercial caves.
·The Wedding Bell formation is a flowstone curtain that produces a resonant tone when tapped.
·Temperature inside holds steady at 56°F year-round — bring a jacket.
·Located just off I-81 in Salem, about 15 minutes west of downtown Roanoke.
·Open daily. Guided tours run approximately 45 minutes.