The questions travelers actually Google before they arrive — and the answers you'd get from a friend who lives on Smith Mountain Lake.
Getting there & around
Logistics
How was Smith Mountain Lake created?
Appalachian Power built Smith Mountain Dam between 1960 and 1963 — six years of work, 200 workers, and 175,000 cubic feet of concrete for the 235-foot arch dam. The reservoir began filling in September 1963 and reached full pool in 1966, covering 20,000 acres with 500 miles of shoreline.
What's the closest airport to Smith Mountain Lake?
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (ROA) is the nearest with regular commercial service, about 30 miles and under an hour's drive from the lake's main marinas.
Groceries, gas, urgent care
Essentials
Where's the closest grocery store to Smith Mountain Lake?
Food Lion on Moneta Road in Moneta — the lake's main provisioning stop, open daily.
Where's the closest emergency room to Smith Mountain Lake?
Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital's emergency room, on Floyd Avenue in Rocky Mount — a 37-bed community hospital, open 24 hours.
Where to eat
Food & drink
Where can I eat at Smith Mountain Lake?
The Landing Restaurant at Mariners Landing Resort is the lake's premier dining room, with waterfront views from nearly every seat. Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta carries a full cluster of casual restaurants and bars for a more laid-back stop.
What's worth doing
Things to do
What is Bridgewater Plaza?
The commercial hub of Smith Mountain Lake since 1986, at the Halesford Bridge in Moneta — restaurants, live music, retail shops, an arcade, mini golf, and a full-service marina all in one complex.
Yes — Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston has a 500-foot beach, one of only two public beaches on the lake, open with a snack bar from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Seasons & weather
When to come
When's the best time to visit Smith Mountain Lake?
Late spring through Labor Day for full marina hours, Bridgewater Plaza at its liveliest, and the state park's beach and snack bar open — that window is also when the beach itself operates, closing for the season after Labor Day.