smith lake virginia
Sarah Scott
Updated on July 04, 2026
Q: Is it safe to swim in Smith Mountain Lake? A: SML is safe to swim in, except near geese, ducks, water fowl, and farm animals – and sometimes following heavy rainfalls that create runoff from farm land or disturb sediment on the lake bottom.
Does Smith Mountain Lake have alligators?
A Facebook post from Patty Hanson claimed there was an alligator in Smith Mountain Lake. Patty Hanson’s post got more than a thousand shares. She says she fell for a prank! According to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, there is no evidence of alligators in the lake.
Is Smith Mountain Lake a good place to live?
Boasting of clear waters, scenic views, and a laid-back atmosphere, Smith Mountain Lake is an idyllic community and one of the top places to live in Virginia.
Is there a town at the bottom of Smith Mountain Lake?
Although there is no hard evidence of the rumored town of Monroe beneath Virginia’s beloved Smith Mountain Lake, many still believe that the truth lies beneath the water. When hydroelectric power was of top priority about 50 years ago, the damming process began on the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers.
Where was Dirty Dancing filmed in VA?
Pembroke, VA
Mountain Lake Lodge enjoys peaceful solitude in the New River Valley of the Appalachian Mountains in southwest Virginia. Off the beaten path yet easy to get to, our historic lodge might look familiar to you. After all, it was where the iconic movie Dirty Dancing was filmed.
What is the cleanest lake in Virginia?
Here’s more on what you can expect from your visit to Lake Moomaw, the clearest lake in Virginia. Located near the border of West Virginia, Lake Moomaw is a stunning mountain lake where the opportunities for adventure are nearly endless.
Is Smith Mountain Lake drying up?
The lake’s water level first dropped in 1999 but came back in 2003. In 2006, it dropped again and by 2008, it went completely dry, according to The Roanoke Times. The Mountain Lake is starting to fill back up after remaining dry for 12 years.
Are there snakes in Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake residents share their beautiful environment with a variety of wildlife: deer, turkeys, chipmunks, squirrels, racoons, and even an occasional bear make appearances. So, too, do snakes. Unlike the furry and feathered visitors to lake backyards, a snake’s appearance is, to say the least, startling.
Are there houses under Smith Mountain Lake?
Pinpointing this forgotten town’s exact location is difficult, although given the historical background, it stands to reason that it very well could be submerged under Smith Mountain Lake. The buildings and homes might be lost forever, but the mystery around this underwater town will certainly live on.
Do people live year round at Smith Mountain Lake?
Year-round living
SML’s year-round population rests at around 22,000. There is a sufficient number of shops and restaurants to keep you occupied throughout the year.
What is the nicest part of Smith Mountain Lake?
Resort-style Communities
Two of the lake’s most popular Smith Mountain Lake developments are Mariners Landing and Bernard’s Landing. Both are designed like a resort, combining vacation homes and permanent residences.
Is Smith Mountain Lake VA a good place to retire?
The varied range of property options at Smith Mountain Lake also provides retirees with opportunities to maintain an active, earning lifestyle. As a popular tourist destination, Smith Mountain Lake makes owning vacation rental properties an appealing investment option for retirees.
Is Smith Mountain Lake clean?
In Summary, SML continues to have very low E. coli and very low Blue Green algae, making our lake one of the cleanest lakes east of the Mississippi. You can help keep our lake clean and clear by reducing what you put in the lake and by reporting, via the Algae Reporting Tool, any algae blooms you see.
Are there bears in Smith Mountain Lake?
Sightings of black bears are on the rise around Smith Mountain Lake. Once a rare occurrence, these sightings have become more commonplace in recent years.
Does Smith Mountain Lake have sharks?
During some of his deeper ocean dives, Smith said he has seen a variety of sea life, such as sharks, tuna and squid. Smith said he did not see anything unusual during his dives at the lake.
Where is Johnny’s cabin from Dirty Dancing?
Day 1: 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa
Check in to the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, where Patrick Swayze, portraying bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle, and Jennifer Grey, the beloved Frances “Baby” Houseman, stayed during filming. Settle into Johnny’s Cabin or Baby’s Bungalow, both spacious Dirty Dancing-themed cabins.
Where is Kellerman’s Mountain House?
If you have ever wanted to stay at the Kellerman’s Mountain House in the 1987 classic dance-romance movie, here is your chance. Except in real life, it is called the Mountain Lake Lodge, a 2,600-acre nature preserve and bird sanctuary in the heart of Pembroke, Virginia.
Where was roadhouse filmed?
Filming. Filming started in April 1988 on location throughout California, primarily in Newhall, Valencia, and Canyon Country. The filming of much of the “New Double Deuce” used Anaheim’s Cowboy bar, also later called the Bandstand among other names until it closed.