Smith Mountain Lake State Park

On the second largest freshwater lake in the state, this picturesque park is the water enthusiast's paradise. There are numerous water activities, including swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier. Families can also enjoy picnicking, a visitor center, an amphitheater, special programs, camping, miles of trails and cabins with boat docks.

Camping

Half the sites may be specifically reserved; the rest are assigned upon arrival.

All campsites have in-ground grills for cooking and campfires.
Firewood is available for a small fee (sorry - no complimentary wood for campers). Do not bring firewood.
One vehicle permitted in parking lot per tent site (Tent Std). Extra vehicles must park in overflow parking.
Guests will find boat-trailer and additional parking at the overflow lot about 50 yards from the campground entrance. There's no electricity at the overflow lot.
Visitors to overnight guests must pay to park vehicle in parking lot, pay for any day use services and leave the park by 10 p.m..
Fifty sites; all in the woods; no waterfront. Various equipment. Up to 50 feet (not all sites).
Full-service bathhouse with hot showers and wash sink for dishes.
All sites have a picnic table, fire ring grill and a post for a lantern.
Sites EW 30ft BackIn and EW 50ftPulThru have water and electric hookups.
A dump station is available free of charge for campers who stay in the park; non-overnight guests must pay a small fee to use the dump station.
Total sites of each type: TENT, 25

Site type: Tent Std - Tents only. No water and electricity. RVs, pop-up trailers and vans are not allowed on tent sites. All sites have a small gravel surface. The area has only a general parking lot, so only one vehicle is allowed per site. No boats or trailers allowed in tent site parking area. Tent campers with boats must park their boats in the overflow parking area at the entrance to the campground. Bathhouse available.

Total sites of each type: EW 30ft BackIn, 19; EW 50ftPulThru, 5; Tent Std, 26

Site type:

EW 30ft BackIn - Tent/van/pop-up/camper/RV up to 30 feet. Gravel sites. Five are minimum impact sites. Sites located in the woods. This site is well-suited for campers towing a small boat. Water and electric sites. All equipment must fit on the site and not encroach on natural areas.

EW 50ftPulThru, 5 - Tent/van/pop-up/camper/RV up to 50'. These gravel, pull-through sites are recommended for campers with large RVs or larger boats. Because of the gravel, tent set-ups are discouraged. Campers with smaller boat should request site type EW 30ft BackIn. Water and electricity available. All equipment must fit on the site and not encroach on natural areas.

RV sites (EW 30ft BackIn and EW 50ftPulThru, accept outlets for 20 and 30 amp current. There are no waterfront sites at this park. These sites have electric and water, and a bathhouse is available.

General campground information:

A trail not advertised for day use leads to the water for fishing at anytime, however there are no designated swimming areas and the mooring of boats is not permitted.
Campers pulling a boat trailer will have to bring the boat back to the site or overflow park each night as there are no mooring facilities at the park. Reminder: There is no charge to launch for overnight campers.
There is one site that may be used as a universally accessible site. The park is unable to hold it. This site has a universally accessible picnic table and pedestal grill.
The campground remains open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday of December. Reservations are strongly encouraged during prime season.

Recreation

TRAILS

There are 13 hiking trails ranging from half a mile to three miles long. Trails meander through the park’s various features, including hardwood forests, pine forests, secluded coves and picturesque vistas. They are open year-round during daylight hours.

SWIMMING

The park’s 500-foot beach is one of two public beaches on the lake. Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. When guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is not advised.

The beach and snack bar are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Beach hours may be limited during the last two weeks of August. Call the park for open-beach hours during this time.

FISHING, BOATING

Located on Smith Mountain Lake, the park offers ample opportunities for shore and boat fishing. You’ll find striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and several other species.

Fishing tournaments are scheduled at the park office. A special-use permit application, which may be obtained from the office, is required and must be submitted at least two weeks prior to a tournament. Tournaments are scheduled first-come, first-served.

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 jet skis) 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. Call 800-933-PARK to buy an annual boat launch pass.