Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Originally created in 1963 by damming the Roanoke and Blackwater rivers to generate electricity and help manage water flows, 20,600-acre Smith Mountain Lake is considered to be Virginia's most popular recreational lake with over 500 miles of shoreline.  It is located southeast of Roanoke in Bedford and Franklin counties.  The area lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural south-central Virginia.  The level of the lake varies during the day and night, however the normal maximum level of the lake is regulated to 795 feet above sea level.  The level can be significantly lower during periods of extended drought.

Among the many water activities at Smith Mountain Lake are power boating, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. The Smith Mountain lakefront includes seven public boat launching sites and many public and private marinas.  Five challenging golf courses surround the lake. The SML State Park includes many miles of hiking trails.  Smith Mountain Lake also offers picnicking, camping, hunting, antiquing, shopping, and relaxing. Restaurants at waterfront and nearby offer an array of choices.

ESPN BASSmasters Elite was first held at Smith Mountain Lake in 2007.