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Smith Mountain
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Smith Mountain Lake State Park
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State Park Overview:
Although situated on the second largest body of freshwater in the state, Smith
Mountain Lake State Park is not just for water enthusiasts. In addition to a
full range of water related activities, including swimming, fishing and boating,
the park offers miles of hiking trails, housekeeping cabins, primitive camping,
picnicking, a visitor center and interpretive programs.
Picnicking:
Picnic areas include drinking water, grills and restroom facilities. A small
picnic shelter, able to accommodate up to 50 people, is also available by
reservation on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Reservation
Center at 1-800-933-7275, or in Richmond 225-3867. The picnic area is open
year-round. A large playground is in the picnic area. There's a smaller
playground at the visitor center. Parking and swimming fees are not included in
shelter rental. Click here for park fees.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Picnic Shelter - One shelter is available for
rent. It can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day), or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3
p.m. to dusk (half days). The park also rents an amphitheater through its
office. Shelters may be rented year-round.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then,
there's a cancellation fee.
The shelter cannot be seen from the road as it is 50 yards from the gravel
parking lot down a wooded trail. It accommodates 48 people under the shelter.
Thirty more tables and grills are in the area, but they are not reserved and the
general public uses the other tables around the shelter. The shelter has a large
grill and picnic tables. Restrooms are accessible at the parking lot,
approximately 100 yards from the shelter. There is no electricity or water at
shelter. Parking is available in gravel lot with additional paved parking
farther from the shelter. There is a playground nearby. Prior arrangements must
be made with staff if any guests are handicapped or if a caterer will be used.
Boating:
Boating - Boat launching fee required for day-use public; overnight guests
launch for free. There are no overnight mooring areas except in the cabin area
for cabin guests only. The campers must return their boats to the campsite or
overflow parking area. Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, hydrobikes, paddleboats,
pontoon boats, ski boats and fishing boats) are available at the park from
Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park concessionaire also rents boats offsite
the rest of the year. Reservations are taken for those wishing to rent more than
six hours. From Memorial Day through Labor day, call (540) 297-3642 for
information and reservations; call (540) 721-1639 the rest of the year. Purchase
an annual boat launch fee by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
Swimming:
The park抯 500-foot beach opened in the summer of 1989 and is Smith Mountain
Lake抯 only public swimming beach. The beach can accomodate 1,000 people and is
guarded during operating hours. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight
guests in campsites, cabins and the lodge, however it cannot be guaranteed
should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed.
We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
Fishing and Hunting:
A valid Virginia fishing license is required. Smith Mountain Lake offers fishing
with a handicapped accessible fishing pier and a public boat launching ramp with
year-round restroom facilities. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
stocks the lake yearly with muskie and striped bass.
History of the Area:
Smith Mountain Lake itself was created in 1960 when Appalachian Power built a
dam on the Roanoke River in Smith Mountain Gap. Construction of the dam was
completed in 1966, and in 1967 Appalachian Power donated the first parcel of
park's land for the proposed park. The state bought the rest of the park's land
over the next six years. The park opened to the public in 1983. |
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