Smith Mountain Lake Beach

Huddleston, Virginia · on Smith Mountain Lake · Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: reservoir
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Yes, see below
SEASON: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (the beach's official operating season).

About Smith Mountain Lake Beach

Smith Mountain Lake Beach is the official swimming hole of Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston, Virginia, set on the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake, a large man-made reservoir formed in the 1960s on the Roanoke River. It is a 500-foot sandy beach, one of only two public places to swim on the lake, with seasonal lifeguard supervision.

The beach sits on the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake within Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Bedford County, roughly 40 miles from both Lynchburg and Roanoke. The lake itself is a large reservoir created when Appalachian Power completed a dam on the Roanoke River, becoming Virginia's second-largest freshwater lake by its completion in 1966.

Swimming at Smith Mountain Lake Beach

Swimming takes place at a 500-foot sandy, designated beach area on the reservoir, suited to families and casual swimmers given the guarded hours and roped/designated swim zone; the park explicitly advises against swimming elsewhere in the park outside this area.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: A gravel parking lot is available near the beach area where the concessions and facilities operate.

The hike in

Time on foot: Under 5 minutes on foot from parking to the beach.

No trail is needed; the 500-foot beach is directly accessible from the adjacent parking lot via a short walk down accessible-grade paths and a concrete ramp to the water.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Guarded, roped 500-foot sandy beach with gradual/shallow entry and a concrete accessibility ramp; a large playground sits in the adjacent picnic area. Swimming is only advised within the designated beach zone, and the beach is unguarded Mondays/Tuesdays (swim at own risk those days).

Parking

Paid, $7 per vehicle (weekday and weekend/holiday parking-admission rate)

Gravel/paved parking lot at the beach complex; the $7 is the park's standard parking/admission fee (not the swim fee).

Restrooms

Yes

Accessible restrooms and changing areas are at the beach complex itself, along with a snack bar.

Hours

Park open daily 8:15am-dusk. Guarded beach swimming runs seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: 11am-5pm Mon-Thu, 11am-6pm Fri-Sun/holidays (unguarded, swim-at-own-risk on Mon/Tue). Visitor center open weekdays 8am-4pm with extended summer hours.

Swim smart

Unguarded swimming occurs on Mondays and Tuesdays and outside lifeguard hours; the park cautions that swimming is not advised anywhere in the park other than the designated beach area.

Rules: Guarded swimming is available Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm and Friday-Sunday/holidays 11am-6pm (subject to lifeguard staffing); the beach is unguarded on Mondays and Tuesdays and swimming is at one's own risk when lifeguards are off duty; swimming outside the designated beach area is not advised; hours may be curtailed in the last two weeks of August due to lifeguard staffing shortages (schools reopening); weather can force suspension of guarded swimming.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksPaddleboardsMotorboatsJetski

Restrictions: Swimming outside the roped/designated beach zone is discouraged by the park, so motorized craft and PWCs are not meant to operate inside the swim area itself; rentals launch from the adjacent marina docks rather than the swim beach.

The park's on-site concessionaire (Bridgewater Marina) rents tritoons, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards seasonally (Memorial Day-Labor Day) right next to the beach.

Rentals nearby

Bridgewater Marina & Boat Rentals - State Park location

Tritoons/pontoon boats, ski boats (e.g. Starcraft SVX 211), Sea-Doo jet skis (PWC), plus kayaks and paddleboards

1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA 24104 - located directly on the Smith Mountain Lake State Park beach, at the entrance to the docks · Seasonal, Memorial Day through Labor Day; exact daily hours not published (call 540-597-8771 or email StatePark@bwmarina.com; walk-ins welcome but reservations recommended due to limited inventory)

Backstory

Smith Mountain Lake was created in 1960 when Appalachian Power built a dam on the Roanoke River, with the reservoir reaching completion in 1966; it became Virginia's second-largest freshwater lake.

Smith Mountain Lake Beach: FAQ

Does Smith Mountain Lake Beach charge a fee?

A daily swimming fee applies for beach access (specific rates are listed on the park's fee schedule, which could not be retrieved directly).

Is Smith Mountain Lake Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Smith Mountain Lake Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Smith Mountain Lake Beach?

Gravel/paved parking lot at the beach complex; the $7 is the park's standard parking/admission fee (not the swim fee).

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Smith Mountain Lake Beach?

The park's on-site concessionaire (Bridgewater Marina) rents tritoons, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards seasonally (Memorial Day-Labor Day) right next to the beach.

When is the best time to visit Smith Mountain Lake Beach?

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (the beach's official operating season).

What are the rules at Smith Mountain Lake Beach?

Guarded swimming is available Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm and Friday-Sunday/holidays 11am-6pm (subject to lifeguard staffing); the beach is unguarded on Mondays and Tuesdays and swimming is at one's own risk when lifeguards are off duty; swimming outside the designated beach area is not advised; hours may be curtailed in the last two weeks of August due to lifeguard staffing shortages (schools reopening); weather can force suspension of guarded swimming.

What water body is Smith Mountain Lake Beach on?

Smith Mountain Lake Beach is on Smith Mountain Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.