Things to Do at Smith Mountain Lake

Located in Virginia's Bedford County, Smith Mountain Lake State Park is the second largest freshwater body of water in Virginia. Water sports, hiking and bicycling, camping and cabin vacations are just some of the ways visitors enjoy this forested lake area. The Smith Mountain Lake State park offers recreational and educational programs all year round.

Fishing at Smith Mountain Lake

Anyone with a Virginia State fishing License can enjoy fishing at Smith Mountain Lake. Walleyes, blackmouth bass, roanoake bass, crappie and catfish breed naturally. Striped bass, muskellunge, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are stocked in the summer. The area holds record for the state's largest striped bass, at 53 lbs.

Fishing licenses can be purchased at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park office, where they offer a handicapped accessible fishing pier and a public boat launch ramp.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
1235 State Park Road
Huddleston, VA 24104-9547
(540) 297-6066‎
virginia.gov

Watersports at Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake has public and private boat launch areas for visitors who bring their own boat, as well as boat rental facilities with kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddle boats, hydro-bikes, pontoon boats, ski boats and even Jet Skis. Wake n Skate offers wakeboarding lessons and equipment. Smith Mountain Lake Parasailing offers parasailing rides, departing from Parkway Marina.

If you plan to bring a boat, be sure you choose a resort with mooring or reserve a campground that offers boat slips for guest use. If you plan to launch from the State Park, the boat launch fees change seasonally and annual passes are available. The boating season typically runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Smith Mountain Lake Parasailing
(540) 297-8481
www.smlparasail.net

Wake N Skate Wakeboard Shop at Smith Mountain Lake
16440 Booker T Washington Hwy
Moneta, VA 24121
(540) 721-1941
www.wakenskate.com

Hiking at Smith Mountain Lake

Ranging from half a mile to three miles long, there are 13 hiking trails in the Smith Mountain Lake State Park alone, as well as private hiking trails throughout the forest. The trails in the state park are open all year round and lead visitors through a scenic landscape of hardwood forests, secluded waterfront coves, cliff side outlooks and pine tree groves.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
1235 State Park Road
Huddleston, VA 24104
(540) 297-6066
dcr.virginia.gov

Article Written By Lisa Russell

Lisa Russell has been a freelance writer since 1998. She's been published in "Rethinking Everything Magazine," "Playdate" and "Home Educator's Family Times." She has a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. Russell studied early childhood education at Antelope Valley College, and is pursuing a degree in law.

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