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.  

Bedford County

Franklin County

Pittsylvania County

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