Published October 15, 2026 · 3 min read · Lakes

Smith Mountain Lake Facts for Rental Guests

Quick answer

Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia covers about 20,260 acres with about 500 miles of shoreline and is about 40 miles long, according to the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) and a FERC order. It is the upper lake of Appalachian Power's Smith Mountain pumped-storage project. On BnB Search, the Smith Mountain Lake vacation rentals hub lists 147 places, 121 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.

The lake in numbers

• Area: 20,260 acres (TLAC and FERC; Virginia DWR rounds it to 20,600 acres).
• Shoreline: about 500 miles (TLAC, FERC).
• Length: about 40 miles (TLAC).
• Normal level: 795 feet; FERC says it can fluctuate up to two feet under normal operation.
• Dam: a concrete arch 816 feet long and 235 feet high; the lake reached full pond in 1966 (Appalachian Power, TLAC).
• Counties: Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania border the lake (TLAC).
• Operator: Appalachian Power, an AEP subsidiary, licensed by FERC (Appalachian Power).

Why this matters for renters: about 500 miles of shoreline across three counties means the same lake name covers many coves and towns. Check the map pin, and ask the host how far the dock is from open water.

What our Smith Mountain Lake listings show

These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.

• 147 listings in total: 121 individual stays, 2 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 18 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 6 other local listings that are not rentals.
• Area tags: Huddleston 107, Moneta 11, Peninsula 3. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
• Words in the stay titles: of the 121 stays, 29 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 26 mention a dock; 2 mention a lake view; 17 mention a hot tub or spa; 9 mention a pool; 24 mention pets or dogs; 6 mention cabin; 14 mention condo. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.

Browse them on the Smith Mountain Lake hub (map and filters) or in the full Smith Mountain Lake listings directory.

Before you book a Smith Mountain Lake rental

1. Exact location: open the map pin; the lake is about 40 miles long.
2. Dock: ask whether the dock is private or shared and whether you can tie up a boat.
3. Boats: ask the host about launch options and current lake rules.
4. Pets: confirm the pet policy and fees with the host.

FAQ

How big is Smith Mountain Lake?

About 20,260 acres with about 500 miles of shoreline, according to TLAC and FERC.

Which counties is Smith Mountain Lake in?

TLAC lists Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.

Does the Smith Mountain Lake level change much?

A FERC order says it normally runs at 795 feet and can fluctuate up to two feet.

How many Smith Mountain Lake rentals does BnB Search list?

147 listings, including 121 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.

Sources

• Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission: SML facts
• FERC order on the Smith Mountain shoreline management plan, 2014 (PDF)
• Appalachian Power: About the Smith Mountain Project
• Virginia DWR: Smith Mountain Lake

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