Johns Spring Shelter 

Be sure to adhere to camping restrictions for these areas: https://www.ratc.org/mcafee-knob-and-the-triple-crown/



Dragon's Tooth

Would you believe a dog was the first one in the hole at the top of the hill... followed by several inquisitive farm boys — that was in 1920. And in 1923, Dixie Caverns was open to the public. There have been many changes over the years in lighting and passageways, but the beauty of this cavern has entertained thousands from then `til now. Dixie Caverns is open for tours 363 days a year. 

Campers... Come to our shaded campground, where you'll feel right at home.

Dixie Caverns is 2 minutes off of I-81 at Exit 132, and close to shopping, restaurants, garages and conveniently open all year.

VA Tech is approx. 35 miles away.  Radford  University approx. 40 miles away.  Roanoke College is approximately 6 miles away - 

making Dixie Caverns Campground an easy drive from I-81 or Rt. 460

 

And don't forget Martinsville and Bristol Speedways are an easy drive after a RELAXING rest at our campground.

Dixie Caverns

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing

CLOSED Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway

## Overview

Caldwell Fields Group Campground is actually two separate fields adjacent to each other. George and Milton, each provide group camping and can be reserved together or separately. They are great for groups who prefer old-fashioned, rustic camping who require few amenities. 

## Recreation

Craig Creek meanders along the edge of the fields where visitors can enjoy splashing and relaxing in its cool waters. The creek is also stocked with trout, providing good fishing opportunities for visitors. 

## Facilities

Caldwell Fields provides two fields that may be rented separately or together. Each field can accommodate a group of 50 or less people with space for up to 20 vehicles. Groups may choose to rent them together accommodating a group of up to 100 people and 40 vehicles total. Each field has an entrance gate, and they share a vault toilet. There is no potable water, no hookups and no trash collection. State Highway 621 to Caldwell Fields is unpaved. 

## Natural Features

Located in a narrow valley and flanked by National Forest lands, the two large grassy fields are bordered by large shade trees. 

## Nearby Attractions

Caldwell Fields is located 20 minutes from Blacksburg, VA, home of the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Caldwell Fields Group Campground

The Pines is a rustic campground in a wooded setting, located adjacent to Barbour's Creek, a stocked trout stream. Most of the campsites are designed for tents, but small recreation vehicles can be accommodated. Jeep enthusiasts can experience some of the most challenging 4-wheeling in Virginia at nearby Potts Mountain Jeep Road.

The Pines Campground

Don's Cab-Inns Campground

## Overview

Steel Bridge Group Campground provides old-fashioned, rustic group camping for those that require few amenities. There are three well shaded camping sites for available for small group camping. 

## Recreation

Steel Bridge Group Camping provides old-fashioned, rustic group and family camping. Visitors enjoy splashing in the cool water of Potts Creek that edges the campground. Potts Creek is a stocked trout stream and has a small swimming hole as well as many rock ledges and small falls to play in.

## Facilities

There are three color coded campsites -- Red, White and Blue. "Red" and "Blue" have a maximum occupancy of 25 people and 10 vehicles per site. Larger groups must reserve more than one site. "White" campsite has a maximum capacity of 10 people and three vehicles. There is no minimum occupancy at any site. All camping must be within the designated campsites. Tents, vehicles, etc., cannot be outside the boundary of your campsites. The area adjacent to the entrance gate is for day-use only. It is open to ALL permit holders of the three reservable campsites and is not for overnight use. Each group area contains a group fire ring and picnic tables. Two primitive toilets are located within the campground. There is no potable water and no hookups.

## Natural Features

The campground is set in a narrow valley, flanked by National Forest land. Potts Crees lies adjacent to the campground. 

## Nearby Attractions

Steel Bridge is located 5 minutes from Paint Bank, VA, and 25 minutes from New Castle, VA.

Steel Bridge Campground

## Overview

Craig Creek Recreation Area provides old-fashioned, rustic group camping for those that require few amenities. The large open field is great for groups that wish to picnic and tent camp together. There is a day-use area adjacent to the campground that is not reservable. Overnight camping is prohibited in the day-use area.

## Recreation

Craig Creek has a small swimming hole and canoes may access the creek as well. The creek is stocked with trout and can provide good fishing opportunites for anglers. A two-mile loop trail is located within the recreation area. 

## Facilities

Craig Creek may be reserved for groups of 30 or less. There is an an entrance gate, group fire ring, picnic table and vault toilet. There is no potable water and no camping hookups. The field is for tent camping only. 

## Natural Features

The recreation area is located in a narrow valley, flanked by National Forest land. The open field used for tent camping and is edged with large, shade trees. 

## Nearby Attractions

Craig Creek is located 20 minutes from New Castle, VA.

Craig Creek Recreation Area

**Floating Heaven** is a treehouse site. You can sleep in the small, zinc-roof-covered 'casita' or cabin, which can accommodate two adults and two (small) children. Or you can sleep on the deck platform in a hammock (we have one free one), a tent (bring your own or rent our 2- and 4-person tents), or in a sleeping bag(s). One platform is 10 x 10 ft. and the other is 10 x 12 ft. Eight trees pass through the platforms, located 21 feet off the ground. A sturdy low-riser step leads you up (no climbing necessary). An acre of heavily forested trees and a meadow surround the site, which is not a primitive campground (i.e, far removed from civilization) but insulated from the town on its ex-urban perimeter. The term, floating heaven, refers to the tree-anchor bolts that allow the platforms to "float" when the tree canopies (60 feet tall) move in the wind. We'll get you going with some kindling and a few logs; lots of down branches and tree trunks on the property for making a nice bonfire, or you can use a small fire pit (metal) for a cozier setting. We have tables, chairs, a very slow drip-camp shower (unheated), a Theborn RV commode on the ground, and a urinal on the top deck. There is a charcoal grill for your use at no charge. . There is also a 3-outlet otlet for charging up your phones or using other electric devices. Ours is an ex-urban location; you are just two miles from Virginia Tech (5 minutes from Starbucks, and Mexican and Thai restaurants) but you are nestled under a nice hardwood canopy. Its the best of all possible worlds1

**R U L E S**

1). Try to arrive before sunset so we can show you around; after all, it is a treehouse and there are safety issues you should be apprised of.

2). ***You will forfeit your reservation if you arrive after 9 p.m***.

3). While 6 people is the maximum, the standard book rate includes 4 campers; additional campers over 12 years old should pay $15 a person. Thus far, The Dyrt hasn't figured out how to pay for the fifth and sixth guests so be prepared to pay cash or via Venmo.

4). Parents must take care that their children obey the safety features. There are trails around the property that are nicely graded and gravel-covered.

5). All electronics go off after 9 p.m.; sounds carry in the valley.

6). We recycle: two wastebaskets exist for trash and another for recyclables (aluminum, glass, cardboard, plastic). Please carry wastebaskets up and leave on the driveway. We'll separate and dispose of them.

7). A camping ethic to which we adhere is that you take out of the forest what you bring into it; be considerate. This is not a trailer park.

8\.) We are proudly LGBTQ-friendly.

And 9.), if you are over 12-years-old and are **not vaccinated,** you must wear a mask when engaging with the owners and others outside your party.



Floating Heaven

I stayed at this AT shelter when I was doing a section hike with some friends. It's not bad as far as shelters on the AT go. There is not a water source too close to the shelter. The closest one is about 3 miles North. The sites aren't bad though, pretty flat. There is also a wooden shelter maintained by the AT, but those aren't my favorite to sleep in. Seemed nice as far as they go though.

I was hiking a little section that includes Mcafee Knob, one of the most photographed spots on the AT. This spot is really awesome. It can also just be done as a day hike, so I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a 8ish mile hike. Another cool thing about this area is that there's some fairly nice bouldering to be found near the top. Some of the routes are a little under maintained and mossy, but there are some fun ones. Lugging a crash pad all the way to the top isn't the most fun, but worth it if you want to get some cool bouldering in.

Johns Spring Shelter

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2022 Explorer Giveaway

nice little AT shelter

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