Welcome to Smith Mountain Lake's online virtual visitor center, Bedford/Franklin, Virginia. (also www.SMLVC.com) Indulge in over a half a thousand miles of pristine shoreline gently nestled in the Appalachian Blue Ridge Mountains. It's jaw dropping scenic views and temperate climate with its bluish water has long since catapulted Smith Mountain Lake into motion picture history.

Smith Mountain Lake is home to the motion picture, "What About Bob", fifty plus pound striper fish, ESPN's Bassmasters, the Wakeboard Nationals. Now the imaginary town from the hit television show, "Andy of Mayberry RFD" is being replicated and is now in its third year construction phase.

The new town already features Mayberry Hills, a neighborhood community modeled after the Andy Griffith Show with the spacious neighborly front porches and the traditional street lights to match. Mayberry Hills (nearly half finished) is less than five minutes from downtown Mayberry, five minute drive to Smith Mountain Lake and under fifteen minutes to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

	Video and stills by, James Roney Photography - Soundtrack: Dance With Wolves
	Press "Ctrl and R" to Restart Video

From golf to fishing, sailing to swimming, tennis to fine art, mouth watering restaurants, and awesome homes to breathtaking mountain lake views and more awaits you here at the lake. Don't take our word for it, watch the Smith Mountain Lake video now playing top left and see for your self! Go back to the top of this page and hit "Ctrl and R" at the same time to restart the video.

In addition a seven thousand seat amphitheater, a traditional drive in theater with dinner will open late 2007, and a Theater of The Arts is scheduled to break ground in 2008. Aside from the Washington DC area, Smith Mountain Lake is the fastest growing region on the east cost of the United States.

This website is dedicated to bringing you helpful and diverse information about Smith Mountain Lake along with breaking news, and breathtaking pictures and signature prints and lake videos of this incredibly beautiful mountain lake!

"Smith Mountain Lake, excitement for those who to want to chase it, a gentle life for those who choose to embrace it." James B. Roney
 

About This Website

Here you will find Smith Mountain Lake Webcams, Free Smith Mountain Lake Wallpaper & Videos. And best of all, lots of incredibly beautiful Picture Galleries of Smith Mountain Lake.

This website www.SMLVC.com is strictly an online virtual visitor center about Smith Mountain Lake (SML) itself, an ever growing pectoral guide of the lake and surrounding beauty.  This online virtual visitor center is owned and operated by, The Smith Mountain Lake Alliance which handles our Smith Mountain Lake Online Advertising.

Area Attractions

There is a little bit of everything here to do and lots more within a short drive for those who love day trips! Such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Appalachian Trail, James River Park, The Peaks of Otter, Natural Bridge and Natural Bridge Caverns, Luray Caverns, D-Day Memorial, Big Meadow Lodge, Stony Man Mountain, Skyline Drive, Massanutten Caverns and Massanutten Mountain Ski Resort to name a few.
 

Smith Mountain Lake Souvenirs!

Here you will find genuine Smith Mountain Lake souvenirs. From coffee mugs to playing cards, t-shirts to posters, mouse pads to ultra high quality, exclusive prints of Smith Mountain Lake up to six feet across.

Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

Unlike any other east coast destination, Smith Mountain Lake has become a favorite long term destination. Its temperate climate, drop dead gorgeous mountain views with four beautiful seasons, along with wide water views continues to drive the real estate market at Smith Mountain Lake.

Compared to other scenic coast hot spots and major U.S. cities where real estate cost an arm and a leg, real estate at Smith Mountain Lake costs a third less, if not more in comparison, and you get can get twice the amount of property.

In alignment with national home prices falling in 2007, many home sellers at Smith Mountain Lake have since come down on their selling price; but lookers beware. Since Smith Mountain Lake is such a hot spot for growth, the real estate market on and around the lake should be among the first to rebound quickly. Thus in 2008, you may want to lock in on any realty deals soon, especially while it's still a buyers market!

Smith Mountain Lake Events!
Each year countless events are held on and around Smith Mountain Lake. Each year these events draw big crowds, even a television audience via ESPN. Below are just some of these events.
July Fireworks! Antique Boat Show Fall Festival	Spring Festival Golf Tournaments Wake Tournaments	Triathlon - SML Wine Festival Poker Run

Sports!

Fishing has become a big sport here as ESPN now holds their televised National Bassmasters at Smith Mountain Lake. The national wake tournaments are held here as well and the SML Triathlon, which is now in its tenth year, is held inside the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Each year two sailing regattas are held here at the lake as well as different pro golf tournaments.

 
Weather at the lake

Smith Mountain Lake weather offers a temperate climate year around rarely ever seeing any significant snowfall at the lake. Daytime temperatures rang from the mid forties to the mid twenties during mid-winter and the upper eighties during the summer to the mid seventies at night. Sunshine is plentiful with frequent breezes great for sailing and staying cool.

4th of July Fireworks!

Each year thousands of people come to enjoy Smith Mountain Lake fireworks. A long held tradition held at Saunders Parkway Marina. Gate opens at 3:pm, fireworks start between 9-9:30 PM and last upwards of a half hour. Come at least two hours early if you want a parking space or enjoy it by boat on the Virginia Dare 4th of July Cruise!

Smith Mountain Lake Weddings!

Lakeside weddings at Smith Mountain Lake are very popular with the options to move a ceremony inside at the last minute in the event of bad weather. With more and more places to get married, where to get married at  Smith Mountain Lake offers quite a few choices. It's scenic backdrop and ideal weather makes for a romantic, storybook wedding.

Lake Life!

Unlike years ago, Smith Mountain Lake today is a year round community from the very youngest to the elderly. From all over the United States many have moved to Smith Mountain Lake, from celebrities to tycoons to your everyday family man. Nearly every week there is an event taking place, many of which are listed here.
 

History Behind The Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is a man made hydroelectric freshwater lake built in the early 1960's and came to full pond in the summer of  66. Water from the lake is released into Leesville Lake to generate electricity and most of the water is then pumped back up to Smith Mountain Lake. 
 

Water Levels

Water is released to make power on a regular bases, lowering the water as much as eighteen inches at a time. During dry spells the water level of the lake can drop an additional three feet and even more during prolonged dry spells. Smith Mountain Lake Current Water Level Here.