2026 Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour: Insider’s Guide
This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure policy.
The Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour returns for its 36th year, offering a rare opportunity to tour eight exceptional lakefront homes while supporting local charities that make a difference throughout the region.
A beloved annual tradition, this all-volunteer event is coming off a record-breaking year, with $245,000 donated to local nonprofits in 2025. Since its inception, the tour has raised more than $5.2 million, benefiting more than 50 organizations that serve the Smith Mountain Lake community.
Whether you’re arriving by car or by boat, this insider guide has everything you need to plan your Charity Home Tour adventure, including previews of all eight homes, visitor tips, a map and directions.
New this year, we’re also highlighting the eight participating charities, giving readers a closer look at the organizations helping with this year’s event and the impact they make throughout the community.
Take the Tour!
Click below to jump to details on the 2026 SML Charity Home Tour.
SML Charity Home Tour Tickets & Overview
What is the SML Charity Home Tour?
The SML Charity Home Tour is an all-volunteer fundraiser that opens eight private waterfront homes to the public for one weekend each October. Each home is paired with a local nonprofit, and proceeds go directly to those organizations. Homes are chosen to represent a range of architectural styles, interior designs and outdoor spaces, from compact lake cottages to 14,000-square-foot entertaining estates.
When is the SML Charity Home Tour?
The 2026 tour runs Oct. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. The tour is held rain or shine.
How much are SML Charity Home Tour Tickets?
Tickets are $35 through Oct. 3, available at smlcharityhometour.com or at the SML Visitor Center at Bridgewater Plaza. From Oct. 4-11, tickets are $40, including during the tour at any featured home. Tickets are non-refundable.
Win SML Charity Home Tour Tickets!
Visit the SML Insiders Sweepstakes Page to enter to win a pair of free tickets to the SML Charity Home Tour and other great events.
The Ridley-Klucken Home
1641 Merriman Way Road, Moneta • Nearest channel marker: R27A
Built in 1998 and remodeled in 2026 to take better advantage of its spectacular setting, the Ridley-Klucken home sits on 6 acres and features expansive windows overlooking the lake, creating a dramatic focal point in the great room. The five-bedroom home includes an ensuite bath in every bedroom. Off the kitchen, a new screened-in porch incorporates an outdoor kitchen and dining area, while a second screened-in porch was added off the primary bedroom. Outdoor spaces include two main-level decks, an infinity pool, a hot tub with surrounding patios, a firepit and gas-lit urns.
SML Good Neighbors serves local children through programs that nourish, educate and inspire. From summer enrichment camps and weekend food assistance to arts initiatives, scholarships and technology access, the organization creates opportunities that help young people thrive both in and out of the classroom. smlgoodneighbors.org
The Benda Home
40 Baywatch Drive, Moneta • Nearest channel marker: R27
Located in Baywatch, the Benda home pairs a Cape Cod-style exterior surrounded by multiple porches and patios with a European-inspired interior. As a U.S. Army family that moved 32 times, the Bendas collected distinctive items from around the world. Highlights include handcrafted steel doors from Mexico, newel posts and mantel columns from Russia, a chandelier from Spain and a compass floor inlay commissioned from Ukraine. The kitchen features hand-painted Portuguese tiles, while the pantry showcases a Dutch Delft-tiled stove. A 14-foot German wall unit separates the great room from the kitchen. Downstairs, an Italian wooden bar displays European glassware and beer steins. Visitors can also explore the Bourbon Room and a “military brag wall.”
The Free Clinic of Franklin County, operating as Bernard Healthcare Center, provides affordable primary healthcare, medications and related services to uninsured and underinsured adults. By removing financial barriers to care, the organization helps improve health outcomes and ensures more residents have access to essential medical services. bernardhealthcare.com
The Schifferli Home
134 Freeboard Drive, Moneta • Nearest channel marker: R26
Situated on a flat point in The Waterfront with 270-degree lake views, the Schifferli home showcases exquisite craftsmanship and distinctive architectural details. Wood, stone and wrought iron are featured throughout, while abundant windows and doors fill the home with natural light and open onto natural-stone patios. Inside, vaulted ceilings, custom built-ins, five fireplaces and an extensive art collection add character and warmth. Outdoor highlights include a private beach and a resistance pool with a cascading waterfall. The landscaping combines mature plantings with newly added buffer gardens.
Serving families throughout the Smith Mountain Lake region, the Agape Center provides food, clothing, household essentials and emergency financial assistance. The nonprofit also offers mentoring and life-skills programs designed to help individuals overcome challenges, achieve stability and build a brighter future for themselves and their families. agapecentersml.org
The Wilsons’ Suite View
399 backcove Drive, Moneta • Nearest channel marker: R25
The Wilsons’ Suite View is a stunning 14,000-square-foot luxury lakefront estate designed for memorable gatherings. The home features eight private suites, each with an en suite bath, television, coffee bar and beverage refrigerator, along with a large custom bunk retreat that brings the total sleeping capacity up to 36 guests. A gourmet kitchen anchors the spacious living and entertaining areas, complemented by two recreation lounges featuring a full bar, golf and multisport simulator, pool table, air hockey, skee-ball and classic arcade games. Outdoors, guests can enjoy a resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen, screened porch, covered patios, private dock and dockside bar. The home is adjacent to Suite Retreat, another 14,000-square-foot resort home featured on the 2025 tour.
This charity partnership combines the strengths of the Franklin County Family YMCA–Smith Mountain Lake and SML Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue. Together, they support healthier families through youth, wellness and educational programs while providing around-the-clock emergency response, rescue services and water safety education on Smith Mountain Lake. franklincountyymca.org
The Cameron Home
1063 Cougar Trail, Moneta • Nearest channel marker: R24
Located on the Roanoke River Channel on the Bedford County side of SML, the Cameron home is a 4,300-square-foot lake cottage with Craftsman touches. The open-concept main level combines the kitchen, dining and living areas into a spacious great room with cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake and wide-plank oak flooring throughout. An Amish-crafted live-edge table anchors the dining area with a view of the living room’s stone-faced gas fireplace. Two bedrooms are on the main level, with two additional bedrooms upstairs. The lower level features a TV and game room with military-themed décor, along with a bar area. Southern Heritage Homes custom-designed and built the modular home.
Bedford Ride helps elderly, disabled and low-income Bedford County residents access non-emergency medical care through affordable transportation services. Powered by dedicated volunteers, the organization removes a critical barrier to healthcare by ensuring community members can get to appointments safely and reliably. bedfordride-cavacl.org
The Pecoraro Home
1206 Lighthouse Lane, Huddleston • Nearest channel marker: c2b
Originally scheduled for the 2020 Charity Home Tour, the Pecoraro home was destroyed by a massive fire. Now, tourgoers can explore the rebuilt 6,200-square-foot home, situated on a Bedford County lot with 600 feet of waterfront. Huge windows showcase expansive lake and mountain views throughout the home, including in the primary bedroom, which offers water views on two sides. The home includes four additional bedrooms, plus a flexible room with a Murphy bed that can serve as a fifth. A large screened sunroom with a fireplace and a patio below featuring an outdoor kitchen and firepit provide inviting spaces to relax and take full advantage of the stunning setting.
Food For Kids Pack-A-Sack helps ensure local children have enough to eat when school is not in session. Through an extensive volunteer network, the organization provides weekend food bags to hundreds of Bedford County elementary students each week, helping combat food insecurity and support academic success. foodforkidspackasack.org
The Sycamore Heritage Home
72 Saddleridge Road, Penhook • Nearest channel marker: Br3
Designed by Barbour Spangle Design of High Point, N.C., the Sycamore Heritage home reflects three generations of family through collected artwork, antiques and meaningful heirlooms. Original paintings by the mother of one of the homeowners and a striking work by Greg Osterhaus in the foyer help create a home that feels deeply personal and rooted in family history. Soft blues, greens and warm neutrals echo the surrounding lake and landscape, helping blur the line between indoors and out. The main level includes a primary suite and was thoughtfully designed for aging in place, with an elevator and accessible features. Four additional bedrooms, a lower-level gathering space and a favorite “sorority house” bunk retreat above the garage make the home equally suited for quiet weekends and lively family celebrations.
Located in Henry, Tackfully Teamed Riding Academy uses therapeutic horseback riding to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Its programs promote physical, emotional and social growth while providing participants with confidence-building experiences and the joy of connecting with horses. tackfullyteamed.com
You may also enjoy: 10 Reasons Fall is the Best Time to Visit Smith Mountain Lake
The LaBella Bourbon Barn
120 Pinnacle Pointe Circle, Union Hall • Nearest channel marker: B29
Tucked into the woods on a lot adjacent to the LaBellas’ 2018 Charity Home Tour residence, the newly built, two-story Bourbon Barn is accessible only by a pebble path. The towering structure of wood and glass is dedicated to tasting and displaying more than 150 prized bottles of bourbon and whiskey collected by Jeannie LaBella, a trained and certified Executive Bourbon Steward. Inside, a soaring wall of bourbon shelves is accessed by a rolling library-style ladder, while a 12-seat tasting table, fireplace, cozy sofas and a collection of decanters create an inviting gathering space. A hidden door in the service pantry leads downstairs to Robert’s speakeasy, a windowless retreat with brick-faced walls, massive hollowed-out oak beams, period-style furnishings and an array of science-fiction collectibles.
Read our full feature on the Bourbon Barn for an in-depth look at this property.
Helping Hands of Franklin County at Bernard Healthcare Center provides emergency financial assistance to residents facing temporary hardship. Whether helping with rent, utilities, heating fuel or prescription medications, the organization offers compassionate support, budget counseling and referrals to help families navigate difficult situations and regain stability. helpinghandsfc.com
Because the Charity Home Tour showcases properties spread across Smith Mountain Lake, there isn’t one single “best” place to stay. Instead, your best bet is to browse rentals and filter for the amenities you want, in the price range that fits your budget.
From waterfront condos and townhomes to cozy cabins and large family houses, the options are plentiful—but they book quickly for tour weekend.
SML Charity Home Tour FAQs
Before you go, please review the following rules to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests.
Is the SML Charity Home Tour Rain or Shine?
Yes. The SML Charity Home Tour is held rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.
Can I Arrive by Boat to the SML Charity Home Tour?
Yes. All homes on the 2026 Tour are accessible by boat, but ongoing drought conditions may make dock access unavailable. Check the tour website for the latest transportation updates.
SML Insider Boating Resources:
- SML Guide to Marinas and Public Boat Ramps
- How to Use SML Channel Markers
- Low Water at SML: A Safety Guide
- 11 Insider Tips for Smith Mountain Lake Boating
- How Dock a Boat at Smith Mountain Lake [with video]
- SML Waterfront Dining Guide
If I’m Going to the SML Charity Home Tour by Boat, What Should I Bring?
Pack smart for your day on the water. Bring a detailed lake map, plenty of water, light snacks and sunscreen, and make sure your phone is fully charged. Confirm that each passenger has a properly fitted life jacket within reach, and remember that lake safety officials strongly encourage wearing them whenever the boat is underway.
Are the Homes on the SML Charity Home Tour Handicap Accessible?
No. The homes are not handicap accessible. However, each property will have a designated drop-off location near the driveway for guests with limited mobility.
Are Children Allowed on the SML Charity Home Tour?
No. Children under 12, including babies in arms or carriers, are not permitted on the tour.
What Items Are Prohibited on the SML Charity Home Tour?
No smoking, food, drinks, pets or photography are allowed inside the homes.
Start early on Friday or Saturday to see all eight homes comfortably; the Sunday session is shorter, running 1 to 5 p.m. Buy before Oct. 3 to save $5 per ticket. If you’re touring by car, note that the homes span Moneta, Huddleston, Penhook and Union Hall, so plan your route by the map rather than by home number.
Where to Stay
Making a weekend of it? From cozy cabins to luxurious waterfront rentals, Smith Mountain Lake offers a wide range of places to rest and recharge. Explore our complete SML Lodging Guide to find the perfect spot.
Where to Eat
From casual bites between stops to dinner with a lakeside view, our SML Dining Guide features comprehensive restaurant listings plus a dedicated waterfront dining guide.
What’s Happening
There’s more to explore at Smith Mountain Lake! From live music to local festivals, our popular SML Event Guide makes it easy to see what’s happening during tour weekend and beyond.
Jerry & Ferne Hale
GUEST AUTHORS
Jerry and Ferne Hale have been writing about life at Smith Mountain Lake for more than 20 years, contributing to a wide range of local publications. Longtime residents and avid boaters, they are active in the community through the Smith Mountain Arts Council, the SML Charity Home Tour, Lake Christian Ministries and Trinity Ecumenical Parish.
