Ultimate Guide to Visiting Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Overview

Ahhh Smith Mountain Lake (SML). It has a special place in my heart. This is where I was born and grew up for the first 18 years of my life. My parents still live here so I like to go back to visit each year. While it is slightly difficult to get to by plane, it is so worth the trip for relaxing days exploring the mountainous lake. 

SML is located in southwestern Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It became a man-made lake in 1963 creating about 500 miles of shoreline. Since then, it has grown in population and become a great vacation spot. 

How to get there: 

If you’re more than a day’s drive from SML, I’d recommend flying into one of the larger airports and driving to the lake (larger airports typically have cheaper flight costs). Charlotte (CLT), Richmond (RIC), and Raleigh (RDU) are all good options that are a 3-hour drive from the lake. If you’d prefer to fly directly to SML, look at flying into Roanoke (ROA) or Lynchburg (LYH), which are both only 45 minutes away. Keep in mind, that these are very small airports and will have limited flight options.

When to visit: 

I recommend going spring through fall to make the most of your days at the lake.

Where to stay: 

ideally on the water with a dock! I recommend looking on Airbnb and VRBO for rentals.  There are a few hotels around the lake as well, such as Mariners Landing and cabins at the SML State Park.

How to Get Around:

while there are many places on the water to go out to eat by boat, things are pretty spread out here so I would recommend getting a rental car.