GENERAL INFO: Although situated on the second largest body of freshwater in the state, Smith Mountain Lake State Park is not just for water enthusiasts. In addition to a full range of water related activities, including swimming, fishing and boating, the park offers miles of hiking trails, housekeeping cabins, camping, picnicking, a visitor center and interpretive programs.
LOCATION: The park is on the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, approximately 40 miles from both Lynchburg and Roanoke and 140 miles from Richmond. To get there, take U.S. 460 to Route 122 South to Moneta, then go east on Route 608 to White House. Next go south on Route 626 for two miles to park entrance. Click here for a Google map.
PARK MAP: Park Facilities Guide (PDF). Park Trail Guide (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Cabins and camping. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Cabins: Weekly rentals on cabins during prime season start on Saturday or Sunday.
Total sites of each type: CF2B, 11; CF2W, 8; CF3B, 1
Site type:
CF2B - Two bedrooms; wood frame; one queen bed; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. Two-bedroom cabins have a bathroom with shower.
CF2W - Two bedrooms; wood frame; one queen bed; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. The two-bedroom cabins have a bathroom with shower.
CF3B - Three bedrooms; wood frame; two queen beds; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. The three bedroom cabin has two bathrooms (one handicapped accessible shower; the other has a tub). The three-bedroom cabins are meant to sleep six. Eight are allowed, but this relies on the use of a fold-out sofa for the extra two people.
Total cabins: 20
Although the only fully accessible cabin in the park is cabin 7, numerous cabins, while not fully accessible, are better suited for customers having disabilities. Because of hilly terrain, all cabins other than cabin 7 have steps. Cabins 15, 17 and 19 have two steps, cabins 10, 13 and 20 have three steps, cabin 14 has four steps, and cabins 6, 12 and 18 have five steps. The remaining cabins are unsuitable for those with disabilities because of numerous steps or steep grades leading into the cabin.
Total sites of each type: TENT, 25
Site type: TENT - Tent only. No water and electric. No hookups; no vans. No materials used for surface. Eight sites are minimum impact sites with wood chipped tent pads. The area has only a general parking lot, so only one vehicle is allowed per site. No boats or trailers allowed in tent site parking area. Tent campers with boats must park their boats in the overflow parking area at the entrance to the campground. Bathhouse available.
Total sites of each type: R301, 19; R501, 5
Site type:
G2 (back-in) - Tent/van/pop-up/camper/RV up to 30'. Gravel sites. Five are minimum impact sites. Sites located in the woods. Back-in sites with wood chipped tent pads. This site is recommended for campers pulling a boat; water and electric sites.
G3 (pull-through) - Tent/van/pop-up/camper/RV up to 50'. Gravel, pull-through sites. Campers with a boat should request site type R301 or this type of site; water and electricity available.
RV sites accept outlets for 20 and 30 amp current. There are no waterfront sites at this park. RV sites have electric and water, and a bathhouse is available.
General campground information:
SWIMMING: The park’s 500-foot beach opened in the summer of 1989 and is Smith Mountain Lake’s only public swimming beach. The beach can accommodate 1,000 people and is guarded during operating hours. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be stopped. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
Swimming fees: Click here for park fees.
TRAILS: There are 13 hiking trails ranging from half a mile to three miles long. Trails meander through the park’s various features, including hardwood forests, pine forests, secluded coves and picturesque vistas. The are open year-round during daylight hours.
FISHING, BOATING: Fishing - A valid Virginia fishing license is required. Smith Mountain Lake offers fishing with a handicapped accessible fishing pier and a public boat launching ramp with year-round restroom facilities. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stocks the lake yearly with muskie and striped bass.
Boating - Boat launching fee required for day-use public; overnight guests launch for free. There are no overnight mooring areas except in the cabin area for cabin guests only. The campers must return their boats to the campsite or overflow parking area. Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, hydrobikes, paddleboats, pontoon boats, ski boats and jet skis) are available at the park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park concessionaire also rents boats offsite the rest of the year. Reservations are taken for those wishing to rent more than six hours. From Memorial Day through Labor day, call (540) 297-3642 for information and reservations; call (540) 721-1639 the rest of the year. Purchase an annual boat launch fee by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
HUNTING: Click here to learn about this park's hunting opportunities.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: The park’s visitor center features exhibits on the history and folklore of the area and the lake’s aquatic environment. Call the park at (540) 297-6066 for dates and hours of operation. The Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park helps operate the visitor center. A small gift shop is operated by the group.
Many interpretive programs take place here or at the newly refurbished amphitheater located nearby. The amphitheater can be reserved for weddings or family reunions at the same price of the large shelter (see above). However, no grills for cooking or picnic tables are in this vicinity, and the area may be used for interpretive events. The location is reserved on first-come first-served basis. Call the park directly at (540) 297-6066 for availability. A small playground is nearby.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Night hikes, hay rides, canoe trips, twilight programs, Junior Naturalists. Junior Naturalists is a program for children 6-10 years old. The program focuses on themes of nature, and arts and crafts. It is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Various festivals year-round around the lake. Call Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-676-8203 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visit www.visitsmithmountainlake.com for lists of special events and articles on local sights and businesses. The Smith Mountain Dam Visitor Center is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; call (540) 985-2587. Also near the park is the Booker T. Washington National Monument, (540) 721-2094). Blue Ridge Parkway (Peaks of Otter 540) 857-2485). National D-Day Memorial, (540) 586-3329, www.dday.org. Visit www.bridgewaterplaza.com to learn more about the concession that handles boat rentals at the park.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Picnic areas include drinking water, grills and restroom facilities. A small picnic shelter, able to accommodate up to 50 people, is also available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK. The picnic area is open year-round. A large playground is in the picnic area. There's a smaller playground at the visitor center. Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter rental. Click here for park fees.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Picnic Shelter - One shelter is available for rent. It can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day). The park also rents an amphitheater through its office. Shelters may be rented year-round.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
The shelter cannot be seen from the road as it is 50 yards from the gravel parking lot down a wooded trail. It accommodates 48 people under the shelter. Thirty more tables and grills are in the area, but they are not reserved and the general public uses the other tables around the shelter. The shelter has a large grill and picnic tables. Restrooms are accessible at the parking lot, approximately 100 yards from the shelter. There is no electricity or water at shelter. Parking is available in gravel lot with additional paved parking farther from the shelter. There is a playground nearby. Prior arrangements must be made with staff if any guests are handicapped or if a caterer will be used.
CONCESSIONS: The swimming complex offers concessions with food service, various notions and a bathhouse. The park operates the beach and food area Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Times may change because of poor weather. Boat rentals are available during Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Beach hours may be limited during the last two weeks of August when staff members return to school. Please call the park for park hours during this time.
LAUNDRY: The closest Laundromat is 15 minutes away.
HISTORY: Smith Mountain Lake itself was created in 1960 when Appalachian Power built a dam on the Roanoke River in Smith Mountain Gap. Construction of the dam was completed in 1966, and in 1967 Appalachian Power donated the first parcel of park's land for the proposed park. The state bought the rest of the park's land over the next six years. The park opened to the public in 1983.
