Ultimate Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Parks (2026)

While SML State Park, SML Community Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument are the area’s best-known outdoor destinations, they’re far from the only places to get outside.

Bedford and Franklin counties are home to a wide range of parks with family-friendly amenities, scenic trails and access to local waterways. Here are a few of our top picks, all located within about 45 minutes of Smith Mountain Lake.

Located just south of Rocky Mount, this park offers a wide range of amenities for all ages, from hiking trails and athletic fields to tennis and pickleball courts. Two playgrounds, picnic shelters and a youth fishing pond add to its family-friendly appeal.

Rocky Mount’s Gilly’s Park is a small, quiet spot with two ponds, a fishing dock, covered picnic area and a paved walking loop.

Mary Bethune Park is a small neighborhood park in Rocky Mount with a large picnic shelter, playground, walking track, restrooms and horseshoe pits.

Located in the heart of Rocky Mount, Mary Elizabeth Park includes a large picnic shelter, playground, restrooms and lighted courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball. It’s a popular spot for both daytime outings and evening recreation.

The largest park in Franklin County, Waid Park spans more than 450 acre. With miles of multi-use trails, access to the Pigg River, two disc golf courses and a bike skills loop, it’s a favorite for outdoor recreation. Additional amenities include athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters and seasonal tubing.

Find out more about these parks at playfranklincounty.com and rockymountva.org.

Falling Creek Park is one of Bedford County’s signature outdoor destinations, known for its scenic views and wide range of amenities. Visitors can enjoy a 36-hole disc golf course, extensive trails for hiking and biking, a BMX course, playground and picnic shelters.

Just outside the main entrance to Falling Creek Park, this destination skate park is considered one of the top three on the East Coast. It features a flow-style mix of banks, ledges, rails, benches and two bowls, including an advanced vert bowl, making it a standout for serious riders.

Independence Park in Bedford spans 46 acres and offers a variety of outdoor amenities. Highlights include two large fishing ponds, several walking trails, a covered picnic shelter and an 18-hole disc golf course.

Liberty Lake Park in Bedford is a community destination centered around a scenic 1.8-acre lake. A walking track circles the water, while multiple playgrounds, picnic shelters and open green space offer plenty of room to relax. You’ll also find baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, volleyball, racquetball courts and a skateboard area.

Located just off Virginia 122, Moneta Park offers a blend of recreation and natural space across more than 100 acres, with much of the land still undeveloped. Amenities include multi-use ball fields, an 18-hole disc golf course, picnic shelters with restroom and a trail system for walkers, hikers and mountain bikers.

Located in western Bedford County, Montvale Park spans 129 acres with a mix of open fields, woodlands and wetlands along Goose Creek. Amenities include soccer fields, a picnic shelter and walking and biking trails.

One of Bedford County’s newer parks, New London Tech Trails offers 6.5 miles of multi-use trails across more than 500 acres, ideal for hiking, trail running and mountain biking. The smooth, rolling terrain is beginner-friendly, while the adjacent New London Tech Disc Golf Course, designed by world champion Paul McBeth, adds a premier 18-hole experience.

Find out more about these parks at parks.bedfordcountyva.gov and bedfordva.gov.

Tabitha Collison

Bedford County has quietly become a go-to destination for disc golf, attracting both amateur players and top professionals.

Players can tee off at five parks across the county: Falling Creek, Independence, Moneta, Montvale and New London Tech.

Major tournaments have elevated the area’s profile, including the 2026 PDGA Champions Cup, held in April 2026 at New London Tech, which brought elite competition and an estimated $3 million economic impact.

Find out more at parks.bedfordcountyva.gov.

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