15 Smith Mountain Lake Islands You Should Explore

There are approximately 25 islands at Smith Mountain Lake, and 15 of them are open to the public, inviting boaters to explore and enjoy responsibly.

These SML public islands are managed by American Electric Power (AEP) as part of the Smith Mountain Lake Hydroelectric Project, while the rest are privately owned. Together, they create a unique mix of public and private spaces, each offering its own slice of lakefront paradise.

Ready to explore? Keep reading for helpful usage and etiquette tips, plus access to interactive and printable SML island maps to guide your next island adventure.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy island life while keeping SML clean and safe.  Following are some top tips courtesy of the Smith Mountain Lake Association. 

Take everything with you that you’ve brought on the island with you when you leave. Trash and litter left on an island will end up in the lake. Items that stay on the land can accumulate. According to the Boy Scouts of America, a banana peel will last three to five weeks. An aluminum can will last 200 to 400 years!

Public boat ramps offer the convenience of public restrooms, including Oak Grove, Hales Ford, Scruggs, Penhook and Anthony Ford. Use them before and after you head out. None of the public islands has facilities and human waste will cause lake water quality issues.

Neither the islands or the lake are public restrooms. If you dig a hole or just poop where you may, your fecal matter will end up in the lake. If you don’t think you can make it to a public ramp with a toilet or a private marina, it would be wise to purchase pack out kits online in advance.

As with human fecal matter, pet poop will also end up in the lake.  No one wants to  swim among pet poop particles. Yuck!  Pick up after your dog just as you would anywhere else. When you visit Lucky Island, dog waste bags are available.

Fires are prohibited on AEP-owned islands. Cutting vegetation on an island is also not allowed.

While Smith Mountain Lake islands are perfect for daytime visits, swimming, fishing and picnicking, overnight stays are not recommended.

Mark McGlothlin, Maintenance Supervisor for AEP, said, “We do not encourage or promote camping mainly due to the lack of sanitary facilities. We certainly do not want people digging holes for makeshift toilets.”

Without proper restrooms, camping could create water quality and environmental concerns, so it’s best to enjoy the islands during the day and return to the mainland at night.

AEP-owned islands are located on both the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers. All islands are within the bounds of Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties. 

Name	County	Nearest Channel Marker
Betty’s Island	Franklin	Between R26 and R27
Striper Island	Franklin	R15
Rabbit Island	Franklin	R11
Cup Island	Franklin	R8 and B1
Lost Island	Franklin	B8A
Key Island	Franklin	B10
Chimney Island	Franklin	B10A
Lucky Island	Franklin	B13
Little Bit Island	Franklin	B13
Belle Island	Franklin	B13
Birds Island	Pittsylvania	R6
Middle Island	Bedford	R4/R6
Brides Island	Bedford	R4
Bar Island	Pittsylvania	R1
Dam Island	Pittsylvania	R1

Public islands on Smith Mountain Lake offer great views and fun recreation such as fishing and floating. Keep in mind that these islands are also part of the lake ecosystem and we all want to keep them clean and safe. Enjoy these resources and do your part to make sure that they are available for everyone to enjoy safely for years to come.

Occasionally, you’ll find Smith Mountain Lake islands for sale. Contact a local real estate agent if you’re interested in finding out more about owning SML island real estate. At this time, we’re not aware of any Smith Mountain Lake island rentals.

Use this interactive map to easily search for and compare Smith Mountain Lake lodging you can book when you get back to the mainland.