Camping Area

For outdoor enthusiasts and families across Virginia, the Camping Area at the renowned Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers one of the Commonwealth's most sought-after camping destinations. While the region boasts other excellent locations, such as Leesville Lake, the campground at Smith Mountain Lake is consistently celebrated for its well-maintained facilities, accessibility, and the sheer volume of recreational opportunities available on Virginia's second-largest body of freshwater.

The core appeal of this particular campground is its ability to deliver a comfortable, full-service camping experience while providing immediate access to the expansive, picturesque lake and its surrounding natural environment. It successfully merges the tranquility of a state park setting with the convenience of modern amenities, making it a reliable and highly-rated choice for weekenders and extended stay visitors alike.

As one local camper noted, "Leesville Lake is a better fishing lake, but the campsite and facilities were spot on." This underscores the strength of the Smith Mountain Lake camping area: it prioritizes the quality of the stay itself, ensuring clean, efficient, and user-friendly facilities that form a perfect base for all your lake-centered activities.

The campground is strategically located within Smith Mountain Lake State Park, situated on the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston, Bedford County, Virginia. This location places it within a manageable drive for Virginia residents coming from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the broader Central and Southwest regions.

Address: Camping Area, 1619 Overnight Rd, Huddleston, VA 24104, USA (This address points directly to the park's primary camping facilities, which are part of the larger state park property).

The park is accessed via well-marked State Routes, specifically off Route 626 (Smith Mountain Lake Parkway), making the drive straightforward for all vehicle types, including large RVs and travel trailers. Its accessibility ensures you spend less time navigating complex backroads and more time enjoying the beautiful destination.

• It is an approximate 40-mile drive from both the cities of Roanoke and Lynchburg, providing convenient access to major urban centers for supplies or emergencies.
• The campground is minutes away from the park's **public boat launch**, which is a complimentary service for overnight campers.
• A short walk or drive connects the camping loops to the popular **500-foot guarded sandy swimming beach** and visitor center.
• The central location on the lake's north side makes it an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the entire lake and nearby attractions like the Smith Mountain Dam Visitors Center.

As a key facility within the Virginia State Park system, the Camping Area at Smith Mountain Lake offers a standardized, high-quality array of services focused on camper comfort and self-sufficiency. The commitment to cleanliness, as highlighted by visitor feedback, is a major component of their service delivery.

• Designated Sites: The park features a dedicated mix of site types, including approximately 24 sites with electric and water (E/W) hookups suitable for RVs up to 50 feet, and around 26 sites designated for tent-only use.
• Sanitary Facilities: A large, modern **full-service bathhouse** is centrally located. It is known for its cleanliness and offers private, tiled shower stalls with hot water, sinks, and toilets, providing a high level of comfort for all guests.
• RV Essentials: For full-containment RVs and trailers, a **sanitary dump station** is provided near the exit for easy use upon departure.
• Campsite Furnishings: Each site is equipped with necessary amenities, including a picnic table, a fire ring with an in-ground grill grate for cooking, and a post to hang a lantern.
• Firewood and Ice: Firewood is often available for purchase at the park office or from the camp host, a critical service for safety and convenience, especially since outside firewood is discouraged to prevent invasive pests.
• Pet Accommodation: Pets are welcome at the campsites, provided they are managed responsibly according to Virginia State Park guidelines.
• Seasonal Amenities: A snack bar and boat rentals (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats) are available near the beach during the main operating season (typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day).

The primary attraction of this campground is the breadth of outdoor and water-based features available just steps from your site, providing an expansive Virginia recreational environment.

• **Premier Lake Access:** Smith Mountain Lake itself is the central feature. It is famous for its clear, large waters, offering unparalleled opportunities for power boating, wakeboarding, sailing, and general cruising.
• **Excellent Fishing:** While some may prefer the fishing at Leesville Lake, Smith Mountain Lake remains a superb angling destination, particularly for trophy-sized striped bass, largemouth bass, and various catfish species.
• **Guarded Swimming Beach:** The park's 500-foot sandy beach provides a safe, clean, and dedicated area for swimming, complete with lifeguards during the summer season, which is ideal for families.
• **Extensive Hiking Trails:** The park maintains 13 miles of hiking trails. These trails range from easy interpretive paths to more challenging routes, all winding through beautiful forests and offering scenic lake overlooks.
• **Free Boat Launching:** Overnight campers receive the highly convenient benefit of free use of the park's public boat ramp, making it exceptionally easy to get your boat onto the lake.
• **Shaded, Private Sites:** The campsites are well-spaced and generally situated within the trees, offering excellent shade, a quieter atmosphere, and a greater sense of privacy than many commercial parks.
• **Interpretive Programs:** During the warmer months, the park often hosts ranger-led nature programs, which are a fantastic way for families and children to learn about the local ecology and history.

The Camping Area falls under the management of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Reservations are strongly advised, especially for the high-demand RV sites, and are handled through the central Virginia State Parks booking system.

Camping Area Address: 1619 Overnight Rd, Huddleston, VA 24104, USA

Primary Park Phone: (540) 297-6066

Virginia State Parks Reservation Line (Recommended for Booking): (800) 933-7275 (PARK)

Checking the official Virginia State Parks website or using the reservation hotline is the most reliable way to confirm current seasonal operating dates, check-in procedures, and real-time site availability for your planned visit.

For Virginia residents seeking a reliable, high-value, and action-packed outdoor getaway, the Smith Mountain Lake State Park Camping Area is an excellent choice. It is worth choosing because it represents the gold standard of public camping facilities in the state.

The key factor making it stand out is the **superior infrastructure and access** combined with the stunning natural setting. You are getting the best of both worlds: highly clean, modern, and accessible bathhouses (a huge plus for any camper) alongside well-equipped sites offering electric and water hookups, all while being situated on one of Virginia's most spectacular lakes.

The park is an ideal destination for families with varied interests. While one member might be satisfied with the quiet fishing at a less developed lake like Leesville, the family as a whole will benefit from the swimming beach, the extensive trails, the convenience of the boat launch, and the educational programs offered here.

Choosing this campground means selecting a worry-free, amenity-rich environment that serves as the perfect launchpad for a full range of water sports, hiking adventures, and restful evenings around a campfire in the heart of the Blue Ridge foothills.

Camping Area

1619 Overnight Rd, Huddleston, VA 24104, USA