Smith Mountain Lake is South Western Virginia's Best Kept Secret and Virginia's second largest lake.
The lake was created by the damming of the Roanoke River at Smith Mountain Gap; the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers comprise Smith Mountain Lake. "Full pond" --a term still used today, to define water level--was reached on March 7, 1966  and the lake became the recreational capital of Southwest Virginia.

During the fall of 1992 the movie "What about Bob?," starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus, was filmed on location at the lake and in the nearby town of Moneta.  The signs and buildings in Moneta were repainted to portray the town of "Lake Winnipesaukee, NH".  Since that time many celebrities have graced the shores of Smith Mountain Lake.

Lake activities abound with waterfront dining, miniature golf, boating, wake boarding and fishing. Smith Mountain Lake holds the state record for citation striped bass and  has been the home of the Bass Masters Tournament on ESPN.
Check out this article: http://www.smithmountainlakefronthomes.com/espn.htm

Even The New York Times has gotten into the act, recognizing Smith Moutain Lake as the  Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains Check out this article: http://www.smithmountainlakefronthomes.com/the-new-york-times.htm

Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,000 acre lake, spanning 40 miles, and has over 500 miles of shoreline.  Located just 45 minutes from Downtown Roanoke and Lynchburg,  the lake features Smith Mountain Lake State Park with beaches and camping, as well as two cruise ships;  The Southern Belle [which is currently for sale by its proprietors] http://www.smithmountainlakefronthomes.com/TheSouthernBelle.htm  and the Virginia Dare.

Smith Mountain Lake boasts its own Movie Theatre at Westlake, shops, restaurants, luxury homes, Lakehouse and Lake Lot Communities, Waterfront Townhomes, and Condominiums, making the lake a Premiere Resort, Conference and Retirement destination... If you're interested in checking out lakefront property, just let me know!