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Enjoying the tranquility, adventure, and beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge on a camping vacation to Smith Mountain Lake is highly recommended. The beautiful beach area and picnic area.
Smith Mountain Lake (Smith Mountain Campground) is a great place for the whole family. It is the best site to set up an RV or pitch a tent because it has a Virginia State Park along its second-largest lake.
In addition, the lake has more than 500 miles of shoreline and a wealth of popular activity, such as excellent kayaking, sailing, tubing, hiking, and fishing.
In addition, there are a lot of distinctive local establishments in the area offering activities like dining, shopping, golf, art galleries, and special events.
Boat ramps at Smith Mountain Lake State Park make it simple for you to go from your campsite to the enjoyment that's waiting for you on the water.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park has seventy campsites, twenty of which are cabins, twenty of which are tent-only, and twenty of which have conventional power hookups.
Every campground has a picnic table, a post for a lamp, a boat ramp, and an in-ground grill for cooking and campfires.
The campground has a full-service bathhouse with hot showers (clean bathhouse) and a dishwashing sink. Camping guests are welcome to swim in the park and use the boat launch at no cost.
The campground is usually open from March 1 through the first Monday in December. During the summer and fall, which is peak season, suggestions are highly welcomed.
Where is Smith Mountain Lake?
With the exception of a small section in Pittsylvania County in south central Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is mostly located in Bedford and Franklin Counties.
About 40 miles separate it from Virginia's Lynchburg and Roanoke, while 140 miles separate it from Richmond. In the Roanoke Valley of Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is nourished by the Roanoke River.
With 500 miles of shoreline, an average depth of 55 feet, and a maximum depth of 250 feet, Smith Mountain Lake spans 20,480 acres.
Smith Mountain Lake attracts tourists from all over the world and is located along Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. A busy waterfront area encircles Smith Mountain Lake with undulating slopes covered in dense forest.
This lake stretches out, with hundreds of coves and inlets encircling the shoreline and along the Roanoke River Channel, as well as many arms scattered with islands throughout its main body. Along the beachfront are numerous lake houses and private two-bedroom cabins of ceramic tile floors with a parking lot outside.
The Smith Mountain Project is owned and run by Appalachian Power, a division of American Electric Power Company, Inc., that provides service to the Appalachian Mountain region in Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The lake's southern boundary is marked by the Smith Mountain Dam, below which Leesville Lake extends 17 miles south and east along the Roanoke River.
Leesville Lake lacks a primary body of water and is essentially a river channel. One of the lakes in the Smith Mountain Project is this one.
READ ALSO: Lake Winnipesaukee Campgrounds
Facts About Smith Mountain Lake
Here are some brief details on Smith Mountain Lake's dimensions, background, and ideal travel periods:
- The lake has a surface size of over 20,000 acres and extends for more than 40 km. It is the second-largest lake in Virginia due to its amazing size.
- In order to provide electricity for the Appalachian Power Company, construction started in 1960. When the lake was completed in 1966, Virginia recreation immediately centered around it. Thus far, it has been a great resource for the state in terms of entertainment and power.
- The shoreline of Smith Mountain Lake stretches for over 500 km. This indicates that there are several routes that go to it, although the visitor center is situated directly off of VA 40 on Route 908. Just a short distance from the lake on Route 122 lies the Booker T. Washington National Monument, another fantastic location. The renowned African American leader and educator is honored in the monument, which honors his life and contributions.
- Memorial Day to Labor Day is Smith Mountain Lake's peak rental season, so this is when you'll pay the highest rates. But it's also the hottest and sunniest time of year for lake weather.
Campgrounds Near Smith Mountain Lake
Whatever kind of outdoor experience you're searching for, Smith Mountain Lake has something to offer in terms of camping.
1. Fairy Stone Park
Fairy Stone State Park is a great place to escape the crowds and yet be close to Smith Mountain Lake.
Its 168-acre lake, group camping, equestrian campsite, and abundance of rowboats allow you to experience all that the Smith Mountain Lake area has to offer without the summertime crowds.
The campsite at Fairy Stone State Park provides group camping, dispersed camping, RV sites, yurts, and tent cabins that can be reserved.
It is fully furnished with all the modern amenities, including Wi-Fi and sewer hook-ups, and allows pets and alcohol.
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2. Arrowhead Campground
With a clean restroom, picnic tables, boat ramps, WIFI, kayaking, and much more, Arrowhead Campground welcomes both RVs and mobile homes. Arrowhead just provides long-term rentals and stays.
3. Halesford Harbour Resort
Deluxe campsites are available at the 41-acre Halesford Harbour Resort RV park. New 30 and 50-amp municipal sewage, water, and electric utility hookups are available at every RV site. The resort has a boat launch and restaurant on site.
4. Eagle’s Roost Campground
Seasonal RV campsites with water, electricity, and sewer hookups are available at Eagle's Roost Campground. There are three dump stations, two bathhouses, and public facilities in the office of this seasonal site-only campground.
The best location for geocaching, hiking, fishing, boating, and golfing is this pet-friendly campground. The campground is just an hour's drive from several vineyards.
5. Sweet Water RV Park
The state park is within a short 3-mile drive away from Sweet Water RV Park, which offers both partial and full hookup RV sites. Every campsite has a fire ring and picnic table installed.
On warmer days, you can cool yourself in the subterranean swimming pool at the campground. This location offers cable TV, a camp store, a laundry room, a dump station, and a propane refill station, among other amenities.
READ ALSO: Summer Camping at River Road Campgrounds
6. Peaks of Otter
Situated along the Blue Ridge Parkway between two magnificent mountains is The Peaks of Otter Campground. This serene campground is worth visiting if you're organizing a road trip through Virginia.
The glistening 24-acre lake, fed by mountain streams, is home to smallmouth and bluegill bass.
There are 142 campsites in total; 63 can be reserved in advance, while the rest 79 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
7. Camp Karma
Camp Karma 36 rustic campsites at Camp Karma are perfect for tent campers, tiny trailers, and pop-ups up to 25 or 28 feet long.
This 42-acre campground features a recreational field, hiking trails, a camp store, and a pond. With the campground situated between Roanoke and Lynchburg, there are many of family-friendly activities in the vicinity.
8. Sweetwater RV Park
A family-run park, Sweetwater RV Park features fully equipped RV sites with 50/30/20 AMP electricity, cable TV, sewer, and water. Both big rigs and pets are welcome at the campground.
READ ALSO: Bar Harbor Campgrounds
9. Infinity Acres Ranch
A hands-on animal adventure—are you game? Perched on 61 acres in the wooded "Narnia" region, Infinity Acres Ranch is a singular property set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It boasts a lovely pond and a pleasant creek. Over forty-three different domestic and exotic animal species call Infinity Acres Ranch home.
When making a reservation, guests can choose to "just camp" or, for an additional price, engage in an interactive experience that includes feeding and watering the animals, brushing them, and even taking a llama for a walk!
In order to stay on campus, campers need to make reservations for an encounter.
10. Mountain Views On The Hill
Note that the fire pit is 20 yards from the parking area of this mountain property with level grass campsites making it an easy access. Using the Swimply app, you may make a reservation for our pool so you can swim while visiting.
Gorgeous views from the pool deck and fire pits. Bath house access from our flat on the pool level. Note that this isn't "car camping." Your tents will be just a short distance apart (maybe 50 yards or less).
Enjoy the mountains and the Roanoke River Greenway, which is only a 5-minute drive away, for hiking, biking, running, and fishing. Our chickens are here. On the opposite end of the land, though, you might hear the rooster a little in the morning.
Bottom Line
The Smith Mountain Lake region is ideal for those who enjoy road excursions, hiking, water sports, and beautiful camping sites. Virginia is a state for lovers.
The region has a sense of history and importance because of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway that passes through it.
Families, couples, and fun-loving people may all find something to do, remember, and enjoy in this area with its abundance of trails, state parks, and lakes. Make your plans well before you go on that camping trip!