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 More
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 Dining Guide
Our annual guide to dining and entertainment is your passport to the best bars and restaurants at Smith Mountain Lake. 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.
Explore Our Magazine
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.
Explore #SMLInsiders
SML MARINA GUIDE! 🌊 Fuel up, gear up and hit the water with our Insiders’ Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Marinas. It’s an invaluable resource for residents and visitors!
👆 Link in BIO under FREE RESOURCES
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova #franklincountyshines #visitvbr
📸: Bryce Scott, @rapidimagery
This adorable custom coffee mug makes a great gift for all SML lovers. ☕ Order in sets for your lake house or as a host/hostess gift!
Click the link in our BIO 👆 and choose SHOP.
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #ad
Want the inside scoop on all things Smith Mountain Lake? 🍨 Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get exclusive tips, can`t-miss events and local highlights sent straight to you!
Click the link in our BIO and choose NEWSLETTER. 👆
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova #franklincountyshines #visitvbr
:📷: @starcityskycams
𝗦𝗠𝗟 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 🎵 It`s another jam-packed weekend of events at SML, including @christianqmusic_ (pictured) playing lakeside at @portsidegrillandbar on Friday from 5-7 p.m. He just wrapped up his first appearance at @floydfestva so you don`t want to miss it!
Below are a few more best bets for this weekend, but for the FULL RUNDOWN AND LINKS to more details, visit our July events roundup.
👆 Link in BIO under EVENTS.
𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬
⭐ Karaoke Night: At @mangossml. 7 p.m.
𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬
⭐ Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at @smlfinewines. 4-7 p.m.
⭐ Plus, live music at @bottlesandbitessml , @mangossml, @portsidegrillandbar and @harvester_music
𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬
⭐ Westlake Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal vegetables and large and small fruits, pasture-raised eggs, herbs, bedding plants, jams, jellies, and local honey. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
⭐ Plus, live music at Portside, @drifterssml, Bottles & Bites, Mango`s and Harvest Moon Marketplace.
𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬
⭐ Live music at Drifters, Mango`s and Portside.
Check out our July events roundup for details on this and everything going on at the lake! 👆 Link in BIO under EVENTS.
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova #franklincountyshines #visitvbr
Spotted by an SML Insider outside the former Tuscan Tavern / Tony & Friends! 🍕🍷🍝
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #destinationbedford
SML MARINA GUIDE 🌊 Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, our Insiders’ Guide to SML Marinas has everything you need to fuel up and hit the water. Read the guide and access printable and interactive maps!
👆 Link in BIO under FREE RESOURCES
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders #destinationbedford #visitfranklincova #franklincountyshines #visitvbr
📸: Casey Johnson, @sml_remax @smlremax
LAST CALL for FALL! 🍁 Just a quick note to let you know ad sales for the SML Insiders fall issue close TOMORROW, and we’d love to include your business in this high-impact edition!
With 10,000 print copies, robust online reach, timely content and stunning photography, it’s a powerful way to connect with engaged lake visitors and residents during one of the most active lake seasons.
Hurry! 🏃♀️ Only a few spots remain, and the deadline to reserve space is tomorrow — Tuesday, July 22.
📥 If you`re interested, send a DM, email [email protected] or call me directly at 540-420-9786. Our expert team is ready to help you design something impactful—and we have a valuable digital bonus available to amplify your reach even further!
Andie Gibson
Co-Publisher
#smithmountainlake #smlinsiders
Show your pride in SML with a modern, nautical twist with this awesome nautical flags T-shirt! ⚓ Available in 10 colors, it`s super soft and a unisex fit, perfect for both guys and gals.
Click the link in our BIO 👆 and choose SHOP.
#smithmountainlake #lovesml #visitsml #smlinsiders
Attractions & Adventures
There is never a shortage of things to do at Smith Mountain Lake. From boating, fishing, hiking, golf and pickleball to festivals and live music, SML offers outdoor fun and events all year long.
Exciting Events and Festivals
Breathtaking Hiking Trails
Impressive Beer, Wine & Spirits
Epic Golf Adventures
Vibrant Art & Culture Scene
Boat Rentals, Charters and Tours
Marinas and Public Boat Ramps
How to Use SML Channel Markers
Expert Tips for Boating at Night
SML Water Safety Organizations
Get Out On The Water
Visiting Smith Mountain Lake is a real treat, especially for outdoor lovers. Among the lake’s many water activities are power boating, canoeing, sailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, standup paddleboarding and jet skiing.
on and off the water
Family Fun Year-round at Smith Mountain Lake
INTRO COPY:
Smith Mountain Lake offers family fun all year with outdoor adventures, events and festivals, water sports and more. Every season brings new ways to explore, play and create lasting memories.
ACCORDION COPY:
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!
Getting to Smith Mountain Lake, VA – Driving & Airport Info
INTRO COPY:
Getting to Smith Mountain Lake in scenic Southwest Virginia is a breeze. Whether you’re driving in for a relaxing getaway or flying, options abound. 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.
You can also check W90 (New London Airport), to the north of the lake in Forest Virginia, near Lynchburg as an alternative airport.
If you’re not flying your own plane, three commercial airports are nearby. Roanoke Virginia Airport (ROA, 40+ flights daily) is located 30-75 minutes northwest of SML.
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.