Best RV Parks & Resorts near Ridgeway, VA

The new owners have revamped this campground. From what I’ve heard, this wasn’t the place to go prior to the ownership change. The owners here care about everyone at the campground, and keep it nice and clean. They also expect their full time campers to keep their lots and campers in good condition. Both owners are very approachable and respectful. Campground is just a short hike to the Ararat River. Which is why the new name is Ararat River Campground. No tent camping, but 30 amp and 50 amp camper hookups are available with sewage. In the warm months the owner holds church services in the pavilion behind lot 12. Owners offer a flat monthly rate that includes water, electric, wifi, and campground maintenance.

The campground is so convenient to the BRP! The owners are friendly and easy to talk to. The campground is clean, scenic, and hilly.  We had no issue navigating with our 27' trailer.  We saw several class A's and a large 5th wheel here too.  All RV sites are on gravel and level. Sites are full hookup with 20, 30, and 50 amp receptacles available  Firewood is available.   We used the 2-washer laundry (not coin-op $5 wash and dry paid at office) with no issues.  Yesterday we drove to nearby Mt. Airy (Mayberry) and enjoyed the Andy Griffith Museum.  We would definitely stay here again.

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Highly Recommended! We had the opportunity for an extended stay at Greystone in 2024 and had an exceptional experience. This is one of the best campgrounds we've found in all of our RV travels. The owners and camp host are some of the finest people you can meet and you can tell they really care about their customers. If you're looking for a small, quiet campground that checks all of the boxes then this is the one. And the unobstructed view of Pilot Mountain is the icing on the cake. If you can stay a night with Greystone, you will not be disappointed! We stayed in site 10 (end site) and it perfect for our 25 ft travel trailer. The gated campground has ten FHU sites for self contained RVs ( no pop ups or tents allowed), all sites have wifi and open sky for starlink, campground bathhouse and laundry are five stars. Camp host sells firewood for campfires.

MY husband and I stayed two nights in a 1 bed efficiency CCC Cabin at Fairy Stone State Park for a short weekend away from the kids. We visited in December so it was pretty cold weather but the cabin was so cozy and comfortable! We loved having the fireplace! The cabins have a bathroom, shower, kitchen with sink, fridge, oven/stove, microwave, toaster, everything you need! They have heating and a/c as well. The cabin was built in the 1930s and is so charming! Loved everytihg about our experience here.

There is no cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do! We found it to be very relaxing to unplug!

Dixie Caverns is a privately owned campground, slash tourist site ( dixiecaverns.com ) located at the outskirts of Salem, VA.

Warning: In the website, they do state the campground is "directly off I-81," and it is. The fact is, you are surrounded on three sides by roadway...and the actual Dixie Cavern is at the base of a mountain, so all the road traffic is above the campground and the noise reverberates off the mountain and surrounding walls 24/7. Trust me when I say, semi-truck noise is loud during the twilight hours when the din of the day has disappeared.

We spent two different multiple-day stays at Dixie Caverns in the Spring, partly out of necessity and partly because of its close proximity to a desired venue in Salem. So I can attest to the traffic noise never letting up.

The Positive: Dixie Caverns Campground serves a need...a campground close to Salem. The next closest campground is an hour's drive and in heavy traffic...longer. It is also one of the closest campgrounds to several of Virginia's most popular hiking trails (AT) and scenic overlooks (Dragon's Tooth, Tinker Cliffs, etc). So people will use this as a "base camp" of sorts.

The personnel that run the Dixie Cavern Gift Shop, are also those you see to pay for a camping site...and I found them very friendly and helpful.

If you are visiting there to tour the Dixie Caverns...you are a hundred feet away from the mountain doorway.

The campground is tiny, as in footprint, but they have carved out a number of RV/Camper sites along the mountain base and the inner loops...and during our stays very few openings were observed. Water, electric and cable is provided at each of those pull-through sites. They are of adequate size for the largest of RV's, but they are side-by-side the length of the loop. No vegetation exists between or on those sides but some grass and some spaced large trees. Perhaps the RV/Camper clan camp there out of necessity and convenience too. Though there is a limit on the days of your stay, it appears that some are exempt from this rule. Some campers are permanent fixtures...others that were not, were still in the same location from the first visit to the next visit 30 days later. Several employees live full-time on site.

Tent camping is in the grass along the creek that runs down to the Roanoke River across the roadway. During the heavy rains we received, I had concerns that this raging creek would overflow its banks, but it did not. Trash was visible washed along its banks. The sites are marked only by a picnic table and rock fire ring...no other designation, so you chose a side of the fire ring to pitch your tent. Even with the heavy rains, I did not notice low, soggy areas. There is several large hardwood trees that provide a nice canopy, but no foliage between tenting areas...so the entire campground is line of sight. I believe there were only six tent sites (technically), but overflow tent sites are also along the grassy field across from the Gift Shop. Important note: If you are considering a good night's sleep in a tent (not sure of the sound dampening qualities of RV/Campers), ear-plugs are a must!

The showerhouse/restroom are located at the beginning of the campground, which is just the other side of the day use picnic area and the Gift Shop/Attraction parking lot. The doors are locked 24/7 and only campers receive the "push-button" door code (which the code did not change from both visits...not a secure safety protocol). The showerhouse/restroom has running water, flush toilets and several showers, and an electric outlet. It shows its age and looks like a heavily used campground facility. For tent campers, its the only potable water source.

There is both cell service and free wifi...which is amazing! I can count on my one finger how many campgrounds in W.VA and VA that had cell service.

The Negative: You must leave the campground for anything you'd like to do, other than the Caverns...and sitting in your camp chair.

There are no trails or other amenities...and the trails closeby...are still a 20-30 minutes drive on a good day.

Whether or not tenters are in the tent area, this is the dog walking area. They are required to pick up...but it is aggravating...because if it doesn't pour, the smell remains.

Did I mention the truck traffic noise? The overall condition of Dixie Caverns appears dated, a bit run-down, and dirty.

Would I stay there again? Odds are I will spend one more collegiate softball post season and World Series staying at Dixie Caverns Campground next spring, purely out of convenience and necessity.

Great family friendly, pet loving campground. Most sites are spacious, all rv sites have full hookups. There are a few tent sites close to office. We have been coming to this campground for 6 years now. Staff are very friendly and helpful. I like a campground that allows you to book a specific site, we're booked for 3 separate trips for 2022. So much to do in surrounding area, especially if you are a fan of Andy Griffith. The town of Mt. Airy has a variety of fast food places as well as many varied restaurants and BBQ's as well. A few of the bigger stores, walmart, lowes, all right in town. Visiting downtown 'mayberry' is a must if you remember the TV show. Book a ride in the police car. Over the years we have found and used veterinarian in town, as well as a great rv store. Might be small, but that store has helped us many times over the years. The Mayberry campground has so much going on, you really don't have to leave camp. Just sit back and relax. Bennie, his daughters and staff will make sure your stay is great. Camp is open year round. We have been there summer, fall and winter. We love this campground.