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Smith Mountain Lake State Park

4.2 (39 reviews)

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Lewk Combs fishes the lake
Big E.

Awesome park with amazing views and fishing spots. This reminds me of the time I was viewing the lake and fishing.

Cabin deck
William V.

Always love getting to stay at the state parks in Virginia. We stayed in one of the cabins on the water. Really great place to stay. The cabins here are awesome. There were 2 bedrooms. 1 queen size bed, 2 single beds, and a pull out couch in living room area. They have a bathroom full kitchen with fridge stove sink and microwave. There is a wood stove in the center for the winters and air conditioning for the summer. There is a beach area at the park. There is a great sandy beach. Lifeguards are here until about 2 weeks before the end of summer. When kids go back to school lifeguards are only here during the weekend. A snack bar is at the beach with a good variety of food at decent prices. There is so much more available that I didn't get to do. Looked like lots of hiking trails. Boat rentals available on the lake. Bike rentals at the park.

Carmen L.

This is a huge lake with lots to do: boat, fish, swim, water ski, and hike. The lake has many coves, perfect to spend the weekend or the entire week. The state park has lots of amenities (beach, interpretive center, cabins, campground, marina, etc.) and the staff is very friendly. There is a cost to launch a boat ($10) and go to the beach ($3-4), unless you're lodging on park grounds.

You can have scenic views of Smith Mountain Lake from the convince of your car
Chloe N.

I was sad to see cut trees while driving through the park, I really was confused. As someone who admires trees, I immediately felt disconnected with the park. To my surprise, I found information explaining what I had saw while exploring the park. In strategic efforts to restore the park's truest habitat, trees had been removed in order to restore the natural habitat. The next day, while walking through some cleared sections, I saw positive effects. I will be excited to see new trees, shrubs and life take over in the future. I managed to spot evidence of mushrooms from the earlier season, I didn't find anything special during this trip (hot and dry weather). White tail deer and turkey were out and about as well as boaters on the lake. Not too many people were at the park to hike, everyone was participating in water related recreational activities.

Gail B.

I have been skiing on the lake since I was a kid. The parks are beautiful. The beaches are "man made" but nice. The water is the perfect setting to recharge and relax. There are so many activities. If you have energy and want to hike or go boating, you won't lack for things to do. If you are lethargic and just want to stare at the water, you can accomplish that too. I would suggest visiting the park web site http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/index.shtml. We have had picnics, watched the fireworks, earned frostbite while waiting for Santa to wave from a boat, made arts and crafts in the park buildings, enjoyed hot coco on activities night and relaxed on the beaches. If you are going to fish on the lake, make sure you have a license. The license fee varies from $16-$23. The fine for not having one is $65. Virginia is for Lovers or Lakers. Ya'll stop by!

Roger P.

This is my second year staying at Smith Mountain Lake, and using the Smith Mountain Lake rentals to find a home. This year it is my entire family. It is absolutely a magical place, serene and beautiful, but with lots of recreation activities as well. Renting a house here has allowed our entire family to be together in one place and share the experience. Proximity to Smith Mountain Lake State Park provides access to a sandy beach, as well as boat rentals, bike trails, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The water quality of the lake is exceptional and the clarity took us all by surprise. Add to that the wildlife that you see first thing in the morning and it truly is a wonderful place to relax and recreation.

Kelsey B.

Smith Mountain Lake was amazing and absolutely gorgeous. We had such a fabulous time here! The lake is very homey and seems to have that campy feel too it. Not a lot of tourists and mostly locals or people that have houses on the lake. Definitely invest in boating the lake, as it's huge and there are a lot of areas to explore. Also there's plenty of room for water sports so bring your tubes and skis! There are several restaurants and pit stops across the lake if you need a break from the sun. There also seemed to be several camp grounds if you're feeling adventurous. All in all, perfect place for a weekend getaway in the summer!

Mirela T.

I LOVED IT HERE! Be certain i will be returning. It was a short trip, but very enjoyable to say the least. The drive down here was awesome and the scenery was just spectacular. I enjoyed every moment. We stayed in a condo in Mariners Landing called LaPoitne, and it was a perfect one bedroom for us. We were located on the first floor looking over the Lake, it was breathtaking. We did have a balcony that we could sit on and enjoy the view. We were able to hike through the state park which was very nicely maintained but not too overdone where you didn't feel like you were hiking. There are several trails you can walk, not super long, but enough where you can feel like you are in the wilderness. (if that's what you are going for). I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet time to enjoy with family or a significant other. It truly does relax you to be away from the buzzing Northern Virginia Area.

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

Beautiful state park. Has boat launch, fishing docks, picnic tables, 2 play parks for kids, swimming beach in the summer.

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17 years ago

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11 years ago

Without staying at the campground we rated it a 4, clean, nice, friendly park rangers, a place where you would be comfortable staying in.

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13 years ago

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8 years ago

Awesome spot on a great lake! SML is a family favorite for boating, fishing and hanging when we are down this way

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Review Highlights - Smith Mountain Lake State Park

I have not camped or rented cabins at the SML State Park, but I have enjoyed visiting to run the trails, picnic by the water at sunset, and sunbathe at the beach.

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Booker T. Washington National Monument

Booker T. Washington National Monument

4.7(16 reviews)
7.9 mi

Whether you're a history buff or someone looking for a beautiful place to stretch your legs, this…read morenational monument is worth a stop. Booker T Washington was born into slavery on this plantation, later freed during the Civil War and went on to become an educator, author and political activist. You can learn more about his life inside the visitor center as well as from the information boards scattered throughout the property. I highly recommend a walk on the Jack o' Lantern loop trail which is about 2 miles long and takes you past old buildings and through the woods. Dogs are also allowed on the trail if they are on a leash. The visitor center is open from 10am-4pm and the grounds are open from 9am-5pm with the exception of some major holidays. And there is no fee to visit!

This site is pretty far out there. Even as someone who drives from Roanoke to Lynchburg somewhat…read moreregularly, it is out of the way. When I found an excuse to go, I found the site affecting. There is a visitor center that provides a compelling history of an individuals journey through American history. There is also some recreated farm buildings and some trails which I didn't have time to peruse in their entirety. The visitor center was not in a great condition. The air-conditioning was marginal on a hot day and the water in the bathrooms was not working so we were redirected to some Porta potties outside. It is a valuable historic site and I hope that some repairs get funded.

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Booker T. Washington National Monument
Booker T. Washington National Monument - Cabin recreation

Cabin recreation

Booker T. Washington National Monument

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Smith Mountain Lake State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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