Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Map

About Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Smith Mountain Lake is a locality in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. It has a population of approximately 8,200. The population density is 55.0 people per km². Smith Mountain Lake is located at 37.0497°N, 79.6394°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 24104.

Smith Mountain Lake is a sprawling expanse of blue, cradled by the rolling Virginia foothills. It lies 22.6 miles south-east of Roanoke, VA (from Roanoke, VA: bearing 132°T), and is situated 2.5 miles south-south-east of North Shore. The water, a deep, reflective sapphire, stretches for miles, its surface often ruffled by the gentle breath of the wind that whispers through the surrounding hardwood forests. Along the shoreline, rocky outcrops give way to small, sandy coves, and the land rises steeply in places, offering panoramic views of the water and the distant, hazy peaks that lend the lake its name. The air here carries the clean, earthy scent of pine needles and damp soil, especially in the early morning when a soft mist often hangs low over the water, blurring the edges of the world. This is a place where the sky feels vast, and the quiet hum of nature is the prevailing sound. The genesis of Smith Mountain Lake is a story of human endeavor, born from the damming of the Roanoke River in the mid-20th century to generate hydroelectric power. This monumental project transformed the landscape, creating not just a reservoir but a vibrant recreational hub that now underpins the local economy. Tourism and outdoor pursuits are the lifeblood of the communities that dot its shores, drawing visitors for boating, fishing, and the simple pleasure of lakeside living. The legacy of its agricultural past still lingers in the fertile valleys nearby, though the rhythm of life here is now largely dictated by the ebb and flow of the tourist season and the enduring appeal of the water. It is a place where the quiet power of nature meets the industrious spirit of its people.

About This Smith Mountain Lake Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 37.049713, -79.639398. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Smith Mountain Lake and Bedford County.

Detailed location data for Smith Mountain Lake includes the ZIP code (24121), telephone area code (276, 540), county seat of Bedford County (Bedford), and school district assignment. These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Smith Mountain Lake is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.