Welcome to the
Smith Mountain Lake Insiders’ Guide
Tucked in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake is a refreshingly different place to unwind, explore and connect. Whether you’re planning a vacation, relocating or just looking for things to do, SML Insiders is your go-to guide. Our seasonal magazine, dining guide and weekly email deliver stunning photography, local events, can’t-miss experiences and insider tips—so you can enjoy the best of lake life in every season.
Find Your Home Base
Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals and Other Lodging
Planning a weekend escape or extended stay? Smith Mountain Lake offers waterfront rentals, cozy cabins, resorts, hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds and houseboats. Many are pet-friendly and great for families, groups or couples. For extra comfort, explore luxury rentals and full-service resorts for a more relaxing and upscale experience.
SML Insiders is the definitive publication for living, playing and exploring at Smith Mountain Lake. Packed with stunning photography, local stories, expert tips and seasonal guides, it’s a must-read for residents and visitors alike. Find it in print at 75-plus key locations around the lake and online for year-round inspiration and insider access.
food and drink scene
Smith Mountain Lake Dining & Entertainment Guide
Our annual guide to food and fun is your passport to the best bars and restaurants at SML. From laid-back bites to waterfront fine dining, it’s packed with maps, pet-friendly picks and insider tips. Available in print and online, it’s the go-to resource for unforgettable lakefront meals on and off the water.
Every season at Smith Mountain Lake brings new ways to explore, play and create lasting memories on and off the water.
You’ll find activities all year with outdoor adventures, events and festivals, water sports and more.
You’ll find activities all year with outdoor adventures, events and festivals, water sports and more.
SML’s lakefront includes six free public boat launching sites, plus paid launches at more than a dozen marinas. In addition, some lakeside developments maintain their own private ramps. Get more details from our directory map of boat ramps and local marinas.
Off-water you’ll enjoy sightseeing that includes many spectacular views of Smith Mountain Lake’s gently mountainous 500-mile shoreline, plus peaks and ridges along the nearby Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Four challenging golf courses surround the lake (two private, two public).
The SML State Park and Franklin County’s Smith Mountain Lake Community Park both include public access beach areas and miles of hiking trails. Smith Mountain Lake beaches are also available at a number of vacation rental homes.
The lake also offers picnicking, camping, hunting, antiquing, shopping, and relaxing. Restaurants on the waterfront and nearby offer everything from pizza and sandwiches to prime rib buffets and gourmet cuisine.
Well-maintained, winding roads with often-narrow shoulders make bicycling unsafe. (Drivers: Please pay careful attention to the road ahead at all times.) Most land and water activities are available at the State Park or within a short drive… so rent a lakeview or lakefront vacation home, and enjoy yourself for a week or two!
Vacation costs at Smith Mountain Lake shift with the seasons, offering options for every budget.
Vacation costs at Smith Mountain Lake shift with the seasons, offering options for every budget.
SUMMER – peak-season:
June-August rates for most waterfront Smith Mountain Lake vacation rentals run from $700-$15,000 per week, with size, amenities and geographic location the primary determinants of cost. During peak season, you’ll typically need to check in and out on a Saturday, and rent for a full week.
SPRING & FALL – mid-season:
In the 4-6 weeks preceding and following summer (also referred to as the ‘shoulder-season’) you can expect warm pleasant weather, fewer visitors, modest discounts from peak rates, flexible check-in and check-out dates – plus weekend and daily rate options.
WINTER – low-season:
Generally, in mid-October through mid-April, you can expect mild weather, fewer visitors, discounts of 20-50 percent on your vacation rental, flexible check-in and check-out dates – plus weekend, daily, and monthly rate options.
From relaxing cruises to thrilling water sports, the lake offers endless opportunities for exploration on the water.
From relaxing cruises to thrilling water sports, the lake offers endless opportunities for exploration on the water.
When you boat at SML, please be careful and courteous. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is an excellent source of information about safe boating, boating laws, and public access launches/ramps. Below are some important highlights for new boaters at SML.
Boating Courtesy and Safety at Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia’s busiest recreational freshwater body of water. In 2006, the Virginia Assembly increased funding for enforcement of boating safety and noise laws; Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources (formerly the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries) increased the number and visibility of patrols on the lake’s 20,600 acres.
In 2007, the Virginia Assembly passed a law mandating safe boating education for operators. If you don’t have a valid Virginia boater’s license and plan to rent rent from an SML marina, you must present a valid driver’s license so you can be temporarily licensed by watching a safety video and completing an in-person orientation.
SMLA successfully lobbied for the boater safety education mandate, but their request for boating speed limits failed to pass the Virginia legislature in 2007 and 2008. There are currently no boating horsepower limits on SML.
Boat Rentals and Sales at Smith Mountain Lake
Several companies on SML’s shoreline rent and/or sell power boats – pontoon boats, deck boats, ski boats, PWCs, fishing boats, house boats, and more. Many also sell marine gas and rent kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, skis, wake boards, knee boards, and more. For more information, see our list of boat rental companies.
Smith Mountain Lake Public Boat Launches / Ramps
Public boat launch ramps are plentiful here, so getting on the water won’t take all day. Visit our SML public boat ramps and marinas page for a complete list.
Smith Mountain Lake Marinas
Full-service marinas around the lake are a great place to park your watercraft and enjoy a lake day from land. Many marinas here are also a great place to rent watercraft, fill up your gas tank, get snacks or even a stop at a restaurant to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner.
View our digital map of SML Marinas or download a free, printable version.
Relocating here means trading busy city life for lake views and neighborly connections.
Relocating here means trading busy city life for lake views and neighborly connections.
Smith Mountain Lake offers a wide range of housing types and real estate prices, on the water and off. From one-bedroom starter condos to magnificent waterfront estates, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to call home here. Read more about living here.
Considering a move to SML? Visit our Real Estate Agent Directory for a list of experienced professionals that service the entire SML area.
Whether you’re driving in for a relaxing getaway or flying, options abound.
Whether you’re driving in for a relaxing getaway or flying, options abound.
Getting to Smith Mountain Lake in scenic Southwest Virginia is a breeze. A small local airport serves the area, while larger regional airports in Roanoke and Lynchburg (both about an hour away) offer easy access. Plus, Amtrak stops in both cities.
If you’re traveling by car, there are many ways to reach the lake. Most approaches involve mountain roads that can be challenging, especially at night.
Here’s a route that’s not the shortest possible, but it’s nearly free of bad curves. Follow I-81 toward Roanoke, then I-581 east approximately 7 miles to State Rt. 24 (I-581 Exit 6). Follow State Rt. 24 east for about 22 miles until you reach State Rt. 122. Follow State Rt. 122 southwest about 6 miles to Moneta. Moneta is just north of the only major bridge that crosses Smith Mountain Lake and offers easy access to any part of the lake.
If you enjoy driving winding mountain roads, consult a map and try approaching Moneta daytime via Rt. 43 (toughest), Rt. 116 “Windy Gap,” the Blue Ridge Parkway to its Virginia Rt. 24 exit, or Rt. 634 “Hardy Road” (easiest).
Smith Mountain Lake Map
For a map and driving directions, start with this interactive map: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia – courtesy of Google.
If you plan to arrive by private airplane, there’s a general aviation airport, Smith Mountain Lake Airport (airport identifier: W91), with a 3,100-foot paved runway. It’s located in Bedford County on the north side of the lake, about 2 miles from SML State Park, at 1090 Cutlass Rd., Moneta. Contact: 540-297-4859.
The smaller Lynchburg Virginia Airport (LYH, 5 flights daily to and from Charlotte, NC) is located to the northeast, 30-75 minutes from the lake.
The Greensboro NC Airport (GSO, about 60 flights daily), aka Piedmont Triad International Airport is located 75-120 minutes south of the lake.
Airport drive times vary widely because the lake itself is 40 miles long. Be sure to check airfares at all three airports.
Explore #SMLInsiders on Instagram
🚑 Big news for Smith Mountain Lake: Around-the-clock emergency care is coming to Westlake, marking a major step forward for healthcare access in our growing community.
Our Winter issue explores plans announced by @carilionclinic to open the Carilion Westlake Emergency Department, a freestanding ER designed to serve SML residents and visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This feature looks at:
• What a freestanding emergency department is — and how it differs from urgent care
• Why 24/7 emergency access is a game-changer for a lake community
• How the Westlake ER will connect patients to Carilion’s regional hospitals and specialists
☝️ Link to the story in our bio
📸: Andie Gibson
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova
💍 Every wedding tells a love story, but this one carries a deeper message. Set at Parkway Marina, the Ellis wedding became a moving reminder of how organ donation can change lives.
Read the full story to discover how this meaningful lakeside celebration honored a donor’s legacy and wove purpose, gratitude and love into a day the couple and their guests will never forget.
☝️ Link in BIO under Weddings.
📸: Karen Akers Photography
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #smlweddings
❄ Winter is the perfect time to refocus on your well-being, and our inaugural Health & Wellness Guide is packed with local insight, expert perspectives and practical resources to help you feel your best at Smith Mountain Lake.
Inside the guide, you’ll find:
• Urgent Care at SML — how these centers have become an essential part of everyday healthcare, offering walk-in convenience and extended hours
• SML Fitness Guide — a look at local gyms, studios and wellness centers, plus yoga, mindfulness, restorative treatments and the growing pickleball craze
• Local Health News & Dental Trends — timely updates to keep you informed and inspired through the colder months
☝️ Links to the stories are in our bio
📸: Courtesy of The Centre at VitaZen, @thecentreatvz
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova
Power and place at SML’s dam 🌊⚡️ Start where lake history meets engineering at the Smith Mountain Dam Visitors Center—overlook views, construction photos, and the pumped‑storage story. Then add nearby culture and music to round out the day.
📍 SML Area: Smith Mountain Dam Visitors Center overlook 🌊⛰️ and Booker T. Washington National Monument loop trail 🎃
📍 Franklin County: Blue Ridge Institute & Museum 🪕 folkways exhibits and The Crooked Road 🎶 heritage music stops
Explore the full list of Historical Attractions!👆 Link in BIO under MAGAZINE | Fall 2025
📸: Courtesy of Smith Mountain Project, AEP
#SmithMountainLake #SMLInsiders #VirginiaHistory #ExploreVirginia #FranklinCountyVA #BlueRidge
@visitsmithmountainlake
@visitvbr
@visitfranklinco
@franklincountyshines
@thecrookedroad.va
💍 After 14 years of waiting — including time shaped by military service — the Sassers found the perfect place to say “I do” at @smithmountainmanor. Making their long-anticipated celebration even more meaningful is the venue is owned by the bride`s cousins.
👉 Read the full story to see how their lakeside wedding came together, honoring commitment, patience and love through thoughtful details and heartfelt moments.
☝️ Link in BIO under Weddings.
📸: @amativecreative
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #smlweddings
💧 For four decades, dedicated scientists, volunteers and community partners with the @smithmountainlakeassociation and @ferrum_college have worked diligently behind the scenes to monitor and protect the water quality at Smith Mountain Lake, and their efforts matter more than ever.
Our latest Winter issue takes a closer look at:
• How long-term water monitoring works
• Why consistent data is critical to the lake’s future
• The people and partnerships helping keep SML healthy for generations to come
This is one of those stories that reminds us why stewardship, science and community go hand in hand at the lake. 💙
☝️ Link to the story in our bio
📸: Courtesy of Bob Pohlad, Ferrum College
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova
Keep your drinks cold and your vibes cool with our insulated tumblers made for SML life!
🔹 “My Boat, My Rules” – Customize it with your name or boat name!
🔹 “On Lake Time” – Customized for Smith Mountain Lake lovers
Great for gifts, boat days or just kicking back on the dock! 📭 Ships for free!
Click the link in our BIO 👆 and choose SHOP.
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #smldining #shopsml #ad
🏥 Access to quality healthcare is expanding at Smith Mountain Lake, reflecting the needs of a growing year-round community and visitor population.
Our Winter issue takes a closer look at healthcare expansion around SML, including:
• New and evolving medical services coming to the area
• How expanded access improves everyday care and emergency readiness
• What these changes mean for residents, second-homeowners and visitors
As the lake continues to grow, thoughtful investments in healthcare help ensure SML remains a place where people can live, work and visit with confidence.
📸: Courtesy of @carilionclinic
☝️ Link to the story in our bio
#smithmountainlake #smlva #smlinsiders #lovesml #visitsml #visitvbr #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova
