RV rental Smith Mountain Lake State Park, VA: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

With such a huge lake on its doorstep, it’s not surprising that one of the most popular pastimes here is swimming, or simply enjoying the 500-foot man-made sandy beach. Make sure to pack your swimsuit in your camper. The beach has lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, and visitors are able to swim in the lake for a small fee. Outside these times, unguarded swimming is available at your own risk. Fishing and boating are also popular. Rental boats, canoes, kayaks, and various powered boats are available in the park during the season, and available off-site during the winter. There is great fishing on Smith Mountain Lake, with a wide variety of fish to be caught. Keen anglers will be able to catch bass and catfish, along with many other species of fish. Grab the family and go enjoy a day of fishing together. A license is required to fish in the state of Virginia, and these can be purchased at various places around the park. Smith Mountain Lake State Park has over 13 hiking routes for you to explore, ranging from easy half-mile loops to more strenuous three-mile routes. An easy hike for the whole family is the Turtle Island Trail that is just over a mile long but offers lovely views over the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Dogs are allowed on the park but must be under control at all times. Another relatively easy trail is Buck Run Trail, that is a 2.5 mile out and back route that also accepts dogs on a leash. This trail is classed as moderate and has an elevation change of around 242 feet. You’ll find many more trails of various difficulties in the local area when you book RV camping at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.