There are two main types of RVs: towable rigs and motorcoaches or motorhomes. Towable rigs, as the name suggests, need to be towed by another vehicle. Motorhomes, by contrast, have their own engine and driving chassis. They are divided into three different classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A motorhomes are the largest and most luxurious; Class B RVs are sometimes also known as campervans or sleeper vans, while Class C RVs are the most fuel efficient. Towable rigs, also known as trailers, can be fifth wheel trailers, toy haulers, travel trailers, or foldable or pop-up trailers.
An RV rental in Roanoke can belong to any of the above classes. Renting an RV is a great way to see Roanoke, but be sure to get one that fits your needs.
Dixie Caverns Campground is just one of the RV campgrounds near Roanoke. It is about 7.5 miles west of Roanoke. The campground opened in 1956 and offers tours of the caverns. It also boasts a mall that is home to over 40 antique dealers. Dixie Caverns describes itself as “big rig friendly” and can thus accommodate even large motorhome rentals in Roanoke.
Peaks of Otter Campground is located about 29 miles east of Roanoke. It is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile long road connecting the Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of the campground’s biggest attractions is Abbot Lake, a 24-acre lake stocked with bluegill and smallmouth bass. The camp is open from May to late October.
Middle Creek Campground is another option and is nearly 30 miles north of Roanoke. It is in Jefferson National Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and the upper James River. Visitors can go fishing, canoeing, or kayaking in the river. They may also hunt, hike, birdwatch, or ride an ATV. The town of Buchanan is a 15-minute drive from the camp and boasts a movie theater, art gallery, and antique stores.
Shenandoah National Park is 98 miles northeast of Roanoke, and it is the only national park in Virginia. Under normal traffic conditions, a trip to Shenandoah takes a little over 90 minutes. The Skyline Drive is the only public road through the park, and it runs north-south along the Blue Ridge Mountains’ crest. There are over 70 places where visitors may stop and enjoy spectacular views.
Shenandoah covers 200,000 acres of protected land, including part of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Some of the mountains can stand over 4,000 feet tall. The park boasts over 500 miles of hiking trails – including part of the Appalachian Trail. Visitors may also enjoy camping, fishing, horseback riding, mountain climbing and more. The park also offers special events, particularly during the summer.
While Shenandoah does not have RV-only campgrounds, Loft Mountain, Big Meadows, and Mathews Arm campgrounds can all accommodate RVs. Each campsite can accommodate up to six people and one RV like a pop-up camper rental in Roanoke.
RV storage is good for when you want to explore without your rental, and you want to make sure the facility you choose is safe. Some options in Roanoke include Rent-A-Space 460, Blue Ridge Self Storage, and CubeSmart Self Storage.
Dumpstations are often located at RV parks or campgrounds. Camping World in Roanoke, for example, has a dumping station on the premises and is open every day.
Other dumpstations within 40 miles of Roanoke include the following:
Mill Mountain Zoo, which was established in 1952, is located within the Mill Mountain Park and sits on the top of Mill Mountain. The zoo concentrates on animals native to Virginia and endangered species from mountain ranges in other parts of the world, particularly Asia. You can also visit the Taubman Museum of Art, which even offers art courses.
Roanoke has a professional ice hockey team called the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, who play at the Berglund Center. Camper rentals in Roanoke will find limited parking facilities at Berglund Center. Men’s ice hockey teams from Radford University, Roanoke College, and Virginia Tech also play at Berglund Center.
Berglund Center also houses an auditorium and theater that host concerts and Broadways plays. Roanoke is home to Opera Roanoke, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and several theaters including the Mill Mountain Theatre, which opened in 1964. The Grandin Theatre is a “movie palace” that was built in 1932.
The main north-south road through Roanoke is Interstate Highway 581. US Route 460 is the main east-west road. Other US Highways include Route 220, Route 221, and Route 11.
State highways in the area include Route 419 (Electric Road), Route 117, and Route 605.