Smith Mountain Lake Newcomers Guide
Welcome home to Smith Mountain Lake! We’re so glad you’re here!
Smith Mountain Lake is nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by three counties: Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania. With more than 500 miles of shoreline, recreational opportunities abound at the lake all year round.
The lake community is made up of seasonal visitors and residents who call Smith Mountain Lake their permanent home. Regardless of your circumstances, you’ll cherish the time you spend here and create wonderful memories.
To help you settle in, I’ve put together this guide of essential information for living and playing at the lake. In addition, remember that I’ve worked in real estate in the Smith Mountain Lake area, including Franklin County, Bedford County and the Roanoke Valley, since 1981, so I’m always happy to help you with any and all of your real estate needs.
About the lake
Altitude
Smith Mountain: 2,037 feet
Hales Ford Bridge: 820 feet
Peaks of Otter, Sharp Top: 3,875 feet; Peaks of Otter, Flat Top: 4,001 feet
Latitude & longitude
37.141078, -79.676324,
N37'8.46468, W079'40.S7944
Water Level
Appalachian Power Company: aep.com/environment/ conservation/hydro/, 540-985-2767
Government & Emergency Services
Bedford County: bedfordcountyva.gov, 540-586-7601
Town of Bedford: bedfordva.gov, 540-587-6001
Franklin County: franklincountyva.gov, 540-483-3030
Town of Boones Mill: townofboonesmill.org, 540-334-5404
Town of Rocky Mount: rockymountva.org, 540-483-7660
Pittsylvania County: pittgov.org, 434-432-7700
Town of Chatham: chatham-va.gov, 434-432-4817
Rescue/Fire/Police
Emergencies: 911
Sheriff/Non-Emergency
Bedford City and County: 540-586-4800
Franklin County: 540-483-3000
Pittsylvania County: 434-432-7700
Department of Motor Vehicles: dmvnow.com, (804) 497-7100
Public Libraries
Franklin County, library.franklincountyva.org, 540-483-3098
Bedford County, bplsonline.org, Main branch, Bedford: 540-S86-8911; Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake branch: 540-42S-7004
Pittsylvania County, pcplib.org, Main branch, Chatham: 434-432-3271; Gretna branch: 434-656-2579
Taxes
Check the most recent tax information at these websites. If you’re a town resident, contact your town for more tax information.
Voter Registration
Bedford County: bedfordcountyva.gov, 540-586-7649
Franklin County: franklincountyva.gov/vote, 540-483-3025
Pittsylvania County: pittsylvaniacountyva. gov/216/Voters-Registrar, 434-432-7971
Recreation
Boating/Fishing/Hunting Licenses
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries: dgif.virginia.gov, 866-721-6911
Boating Violations
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Crime Line: 800-237-5712
Chambers of Commerce / Visitor Centers / Tourism Offices
Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center: visitsmithmountainlake.com, 540-721-1203
Rocky Mount Branch of Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce: 540-483-2131
Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce: bedfordareachamber.com, 540-586-9401
Bedford Area Welcome Center: visitbedford.com, (877) 447-3257
Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce: dpchamber.org, 434-836-6990
Franklin County Tourism: visitfranklincountyva.org, 540-483-3030
Martinsville-Henry County Tourism: visitmartinsville.com, 276-632-8006
Smith Mountain Dam Visitor Center: smithmtn.com, 540-985-2587
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Visitor Center: dcr.virginia.gov, 540-297-6066
Town of Rocky Mount Community Center at The Depot: 540-489-0948
Lake Organizations
Smith Mountain Lake Association: smlassociation.org, 540-719-0690
Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission: sml.us.com, 540-721-4400
Utilities
Cable TV
B2X Online: b2xonline.com, 540-389-7924
Comcast: comcast.com, 800-266-2278
Shentel: shentel.com, 800-743-6835
Electricity
Appalachian Power Company
(Bedford, Franklin, Pittsylvania counties): appalachianpower.com, 800-956-4237
Southside Electric Cooperative (Bedford & Pittsylvania counties): sec.coop, (800) 552-2118
Internet
B2X Online: b2xonline.com, 540-389-7924
Centurylink: centurylink.com, 877-862-9343
Fairpoint Communications: fairpoint.com, 434-656-2291
Shentel: shentel.com, 800-743-6835
Verizon: verizon.com, 800-837-4966
Telephone
Fairpoint Communications: fairpoint.com, 434-656-2291
Centurylink: centurylink.com, 877-862-9343
Verizon: verizon.com, 800-837-4966
Water & Sewer
Bedford County, Bedford Regional Water Authority, brwa.com, 540-586-7679
Franklin County, Western Virginia Water Authority, westernvawater.org, 540-853-5700
Town of Rocky Mount Water Department, 540-483-5747
Pittsylvania County, Pittsylvania County Service Authority, pcsa.com, 434-836-7135
Travel
Airports
Smith Mountain Lake Airport (W91), Moneta, airnav.com, 540-297-4859
Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH), lynchburgva.gov/airport, 434-45S-6090
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), flyroa.com, 540-362-1999
Bus/Rail Services
Amtrak (Lynchburg, Roanoke): amtrak.com, 800-872-7245
Greyhound: greyhound.com, 800-231-2222
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