By Melody Trumbull Harrison
In partnership with the Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Don’s Cab-Inns Campground is leased and operated by Don and Melody Harrison. Located within Explore Park, off exit 115 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the campground became operational after a grand opening ceremony in November of 2018.
Though the campground opened almost five years ago, the idea was hatched many years earlier when Roanoke County announced plans to actively re-envision the use of the 1,100 acre Explore Park property. At the time, Don and Melody were already musing over the possibility of creating a business within the park. “The Explore Park opportunity presented itself and intrigued us,” Melody explains. “It was a chance to be self-employed in a relaxing environment close to our home. We liked the idea of having a business that we could do together now and also into retirement.”
The renovation project at Explore Park focused on creating more outdoor recreational activities, such as Treetop Quest, mountain biking, fishing, boating on the river, disc golf, and more. For Don and Melody, a working environment like that seemed ideal, enjoyable, and fun! Their ideas for possibly pursuing a related business grew and evolved over time, resulting in their direct involvement with the County and future plans for the park.
Originally from coastal North Carolina, Don found himself living in Warm Springs, Virginia, but his work brought him to Roanoke in 2006. Melody is a Roanoke native, but moved away from the area for a while, returning to stay in 1996.
When Explore Park was going through its changes, Don was working as a biomedical technician and Melody was working as a licensed professional counselor. Once they had decided that their business in Explore Park should be lodging, however, they submitted a County Request for Proposal for Don’s Cab-Inns Campground. After a series of meetings and negotiations with the County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism staff, plans were submitted, and their proposal was accepted.
Melody has a background in art and design. Don has a long-time interest in building unique housing structures, and he also has the experience! He built cord wood and geodesic homes in Bath County, and also an arched tiny home in Vinton. After these, he built a mobile arched cabin that served as the prototype for the pod cabins now available at the campground.
In 2018, with their combined talents and experience, Don and Melody embarked on constructing and furnishing the cabins and yurts offered at Don’s Cab-inns Campground. Don personally does most of the construction, administration, and operations for the campground, while Melody focuses on marketing, design collaboration, and also furnishing and decorating the camping unit interiors.
Since the inception of Don’s Cab-inns Campground, Don and Melody’s partnership with Roanoke County staff has proven to be supportive, enjoyable, and a good pairing of professionals that work well to contribute to the success of the campground.
The Harrisons really enjoy the creative process and all the creative aspects of the building and operating the campground. They also enjoy planning and creating things, designing, building, and furnishing the cabins and yurts. “It’s all very rewarding work,” says Melody. “It is fulfilling and enjoyable for us to see people come for their personal, family, and recreational time to stay in dwellings with which we have had such an integral part in creating.”
Don Harrison and Melody Harrison
In 2018, the same year they opened, Don and Melody were surprised and honored to have their campground receive two Virginia Recreation and Parks Society award: the “Distinguished Private Sector Service Award” and the “Best New Facility Bricks and Mortar Award”.
Since opening, the Harrisons’ ongoing focus has been on continuing to add improvements and amenities to the campground facilities. The next step in those improvements is an expansion, planned for 2023. Currently, the campground offers five arched pod cabins with heat and air conditioning, one Eco cabin with solar lighting, and four sixteen-foot yurts with half baths and air conditioning. A twenty-foot yurt lodge will be installed in 2023, to include a half bath and sleeping for as many as eight campers.
The campground also offers five RV spaces with electric hook-ups and water on site for those campers who choose to bring their own camping rigs with them. All the units and RV spaces are served by a very nice bath house with individual shower rooms. Additionally, all the camping units are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some units are designated as pet-friendly to serve those campers who wish to vacation with their four-legged-furry friends.
Don’s Cab-Inns Campground has now been privileged to host wedding parties, family reunions, birthdays, and a wide variety of other activities. Many sporting event participants, as well as church and scouting groups, find the campground ideal for group lodging. In addition to the local population, Don’s staff have also been pleased to serve many interesting patrons from all over the United States, as well as from other countries, who have all come for an enjoyable outdoor getaway.
After five years of business, the campground now has many repeat customers who enjoy visiting not only familiar surroundings, but they also love vacationing in a place where they are recognized and welcomed back.
Within the campground, guests have access to a camp store, staffed by a knowledgeable and helpful campground manager who is available to assist visitors with their camping needs. In the store, guests can purchase camping supplies, food items, and recreational items.
Don’s Cab-inns Campground is open year-round, only closing in inclement weather when the park entrance is inaccessible. At times when the Blue Ridge Parkway may be closed, the campground can still be accessed by way of the service entrance off of Rutrough Road, accessed in the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County.
Camping rates are seasonal, and reservations can be made by going online at www.ExplorePark.org/Camping or by calling the Explore Park Visitor Center staff directly at 540-427-1800. Don’s Cab-Inns Campground also welcomes many visitors who want to see the unique camping cabins prior to making their reservations. Don’s Cab-Inns Campground is a good discovery for experienced campers and a great discovery for those who are new to camping and are seeking a comfortable camping experience with all the conveniences of home. Come and experience the great outdoors at Don’s Cab-Inns campground in Roanoke County’s Explore Park for yourself!
Don’s Cab-Inns Campground • www.DonsCab-Inns.com
Don Harrison and Melody Harrison • 540-427-1800
56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd, Roanoke, VA