Smith Mountain Lake Rentals

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About Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals

Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake is developing a reputation as a premier vacation destination. Spread out over three counties in southwestern Virginia, this man-made lake covers 20,600 acres and has over 500 miles of shoreline. Among the many water activities at Smith Mountain Lake are power boating, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing.

Even though Smith Mountain Lake is the second largest lake in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake State Park is not just for water enthusiasts. In addition to traditional water sports like swimming, fishing, boating, and boat launching, visitors to Smith Mountain Lake State Park can enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, and much more. At the park, there's a visitors' center with many interesting exhibits, including one detailing the history and folklore of Smith Mountain Lake. There are also hiking trails, fishing areas, swimming at a 500-foot-long beach, picnic areas, 50 campsites, and assorted programs such as night hikes, canoe trips and wilderness skills training.

Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the mountainous terrain and the sparkling water hazards that wreak havoc on errant shots. The lake has three public courses, Westlake Country Club, Sycamore Ridge, and Mariner's Landing. The two private courses, The Waterfront and Water's Edge, sometimes allow non-members as well. Since the courses are close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, they are as scenically beautiful as they are challenging. Pine lined fairways meander along creeks and rivers and the lake comes into play on a number of holes, providing constant aesthetic beauty.

History buffs will want to check out the Booker T. Washington National Monument. This former tobacco plantation was the birthplace of Booker T. Washington, a slave who rose to prominence as both an educator and statesman speaking out about issues regarding slavery and racial equality. You can walk the park and see the buildings that have been restored to reflect when the property was a working tobacco farm.

About 30 miles north of Smith Mountain Lake is the National D-Day Memorial, located just outside the small picturesque town of Bedford, Virginia. This outdoor museum pays homage to Operation Overlord, the largest assembly of amphibious forces for a single assault, which took place on June 6, 1944. Forever known as "the longest day," this battle partly fulfilled Winston Churchill's promise to liberate France "before the fall of the Autumn leaves." The memorial offers tours describing the significance of the statues and oral narratives about details of the battle.

Another popular attraction at Smith Mountain Lake is the Smith Mountain Dam Visitors Center. More than one million people have visited since its opening in May of 1967. At the Center, you can see an audio-visual presentation that shows how the dam was built. There's also a wall mural, showing Smith Mountain Gap – now filled with water – before the construction of the dam. Models of the Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville dams describe the pumped storage principle. There are many more exhibits that show you how the dams produce electricity, offering an educational experience for people of all ages.

If your vacation plans include the great outdoors, Smith Mountain Lake is just the place. Various watersports, hiking, biking, golf, tennis, camping, and backpacking can all be a part of your itinerary. You may want to take a day and visit the neighboring city of Roanoke, or jump in your car and drive part of the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. However you choose to spend your vacation, Smith Mountain Lake will not disappoint!