Camping

Overnight camping has finally arrived at Explore Park! Throughout the season, we'll be opening dozens of new campground sites all over the park. Please be aware that our bath house will open in November 2018. All sites are currently served by portable toilets. On season rates apply April through November, and off season is December through March. Why Explore Park? We're located directly adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, but only 15 minutes from downtown Roanoke's shopping and dining scene. Plus take advantage of amenities like 14 miles of hiking trails and one of Virginia's top ranked disc golf courses.

How to Reserve Your Space

  • Register through Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism's ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL. Please note that you must have or create an account to complete your purchase. Select available features and dates on our interactive map to plan your adventure.
  • Explore Park features two campgrounds operated by separate vendors. Blue Mountain Adventures features primitive campsites, group sites, bell tents and canvas tents. Don's Cab-Inns features hand crafted Pod Cabins, Yurts and RV spaces. Scroll down for details and amenities.
  • Call the Explore Park Visitor Center at (540) 427-1800 during operating hours, daily from 9am to 5pm.
ROANOKE WEATHER

Blue Mountain Adventures Campground

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Primitive: Pitch your own tent in a individual or group site, complete with a picnic table and fire pit with grill. 

Reservations: Available Online Here or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in person.

Rates: $15- $50/night On Season or $10-$25 Off Season (plus applicable taxes). Prices vary by group or site size.

Operated by: Blue Mountain Adventures

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Bell Tents: Make it a memorable night with these unique tents on a wooden platforms. Sleeps two easily on two cots provided. Additional cots can be added on request (Currently available in site C5).

Reservations: Available Online Here or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in person.

Rates: $40/night On Season or $30/night Off Season (plus applicable taxes)

Operated by: Blue Mountain Adventures

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Large Canvas Tents: Sleep in style in these large canvas tents with extended fly, mounted on a wooden platform. Each tent comes with a queen bed and optional cots. All linens included.

Reservations: Available Online Here or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in person.

Look Inside: Browse Photo Gallery

Rates: $100/night On Season or $75/night Off Season (plus applicable taxes).

Operated by: Blue Mountain Adventures Note: Food service is available on request at this site only. Please contact the vendor for more.

Harts

Vendor Profile - Blue Mountain Adventures
Owners: Holly and Jonathan Hart

Their Story:
The Hart family are Roanoke County natives with a passion for the outdoors. In 2012 the family moved out to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado to fulfill their desire for adventure recreation. During this time Jonathan worked with San Juan Huts, managing, maintaining and servicing overnight accommodations for outdoor adventurers.

When they returned home to the Virginia’s Blue Ridge in 2015, the Harts were amazed at the way our region had changed. They discovered a newfound excitement for outdoor recreation in our area, and more people taking advantage of the fantastic natural resources available.

“Being able to leave gave me a new appreciation knowing this is the place I’m supposed to be,” says Holly. “I want to grow those aspects and making this a place where families want to stay and grow. Capitalizing on what we have but taking care of those treasures through investment and maintenance. We’re excited for our business, but also for the community. For families to get outside and be active, it’s such a mental and physical benefit, and we’re proud to be making it more accessible for all levels from novices to enthusiasts.”

Don's Cab-Inns Campground

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Pod Cabins: These unique arched roof structures pack lots of amenities into a small space. Contains a queen size bed with mattress (ground level) and full size loft bunk with mattress (requires climbing a ladder). Served by a nearby bathhouse. These units contain heating and air conditioning. A refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker are included. Linens are not included, but may be rented for an extra fee.

Available: Starting November 9, 2018

Reservations: Available online SOON or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in-person.

Look Inside: Browse Photo Gallery

Rates: $50/night plus applicable taxes (Starting April 2019, On-Season Rates of $75/night will apply). Save 15% when you stay 6 or more nights (max 29)!

Operated by: Don's Cab-Inns

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Yurts: Sleep up to six in a spacious 16 foot wide yurt. A private sink and toilet are included except when winterized December through March. These units are not heated.  A refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker are included. Linens are not included, but may be rented for an extra fee. Sites D18, D19 & D21 contain a three-level double bunk bed. Site D14 contains one queen size bed.

Available: Starting November 9, 2018

Reservations: Available online SOON or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in-person.

Rates: $75/night plus applicable taxes. (Starting April 2019, On-Season Rates of $100/night will apply).Save 15% when you stay 6 or more nights (max 29)!

Operated by: Don's Cab-Inns

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RV Sites: Pull into a small site served by a nearby bathhouse. Electric only, no hookup. 50 amp service. Site dimensions are 12' by 35'.

Available: Starting November 9, 2018

Reservations: Available online SOON or (540) 427-1800. Online reservations must be booked a full day in advance. Last minute reservations can be made by phone or in-person.

Rates: $25/night plus applicable taxes. Save 15% when you stay 6 or more nights (max 29)!

Operated by: Don's Cab-Inns

Harrisons

Vendor Profile - Don's Cab-Inns
Owners: Don and Melody Harrison


Their Story:
This Vinton company developed over the past decade from a hobby. Entrepreneur Don Harrison began designing small wooden homes that he could develop into a kit and sell to do-it-yourselfers. People quickly fell in love with the unique arch design of these structures, affording more room than a traditional home of the same size due to a cozy loft. Don and his wife Melody discovered early on that prospective buyers often wanted the homes pre-constructed. Due to popular demand, they created a smaller version of the home in the form of a small cabin that could be constructed off-site and transported easily on a trailer. This unique cabin design is similar to the camping pod concept now popular throughout Europe, offering a basic night’s stay with a unique experience and feel of solid wood construction.

Combining experience in rental properties with a love of cabin building, the Harrison’s are fulfilling a lifelong dream with this project. “We’re excited to be on the ground floor as one of the first vendors, and able to participate in the planning stages of this exciting project,” says Don. “We can envision a great future for Explore Park and we want to be part of it.”