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French Tudor Mansion porch over Smith Mountain Lake
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  • DestinationsUnited StatesVirginia

    10 Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals For Your Outdoor Getaway

    William Stupp
    July 19, 2022

    The crystal clear waters of Smith Mountain Lake in the Roanoke Region of south-central Virginia are a gift to any lake lover. The lake was created in the 1960s with the erection of the Smith Mountain Dam. In addition to providing clean energy, the dam has bequeathed the region with a water wonderland. The sprawling lake has about 500 miles of shoreline and covers an area of 32 square miles. This leaves boaters with plenty of room to maneuver, even on busy days. 

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    In addition to all the aquatic activities inherent to a lake of its size, the Smith Mountain Lake region has other things that keep visitors coming back year after year. These include a number of wineries (which organize a wine festival on the lake hosted every September) and historical sites such as the childhood home of Booker T. Washington, now a National Monument. Scenic hikes abound.

    Pro Tip: Though it is currently closed due to COVID-19 (check the site before your vacation to see if it’s reopened) the dam itself has a visitor center that tells the region’s history and offers a first-hand look at the technological and architectural marvel that is hydroelectric power generation.

    With plenty of activities for people of all ages, Smith Mountain Lake makes for a great family vacation spot. The lake is large so there are a number of possibilities when it comes to accommodation. To make things easier, we’ve come up with a list of 10 properties currently up for grabs to renters.

    The Castle — French Tudor Mansion

    Located in The Water’s Edge (an upscale community on the southern banks of the lake), The Castle is a fine way to discover a particularly luxurious flavor of family life. Golfers in the family will greatly appreciate the proximity to the local country club, a highly-rated 18-hole PGA course. 

    While golf isn’t for everyone, the whole family will appreciate the home’s spaciousness and privacy. Boat rentals can be facilitated by the owners, who can also supply a talented in-home chef and arrange for grocery deliveries. Like many properties in the area, there is a one-week booking minimum during the summer.

    Dreaming of Penhook – your dream vacation awaits you
    25 reviews
    Private vacation home
    16 Guests
    7 Bedrooms
    8 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    WOW!! Just in case you didn’t understand that word from the title, but that was the first thing I thought when we drove up to “The Castle”. It was also the first thing we all said when we walked into the house. There were 6 adult men staying for 3 nights & not one time did any of us feel like we didn’t have space to stretch out or we were sitting on top of each other. The only room that wasn’t used by us was the attic. The guy that stayed in the 2nd floor master bedroom said he felt like he was staying in a VERY NICE hotel room. If you are reading this review, just stop reading here. Go ahead & book this house for your dates. When you arrive, carry something inside with you to go ahead & claim that bedroom!! You won’t regret it I promise!! The kitchen is unreal!! Let me just go ahead & say this; pictures do this house no justice. When you see the house in person, you will agree with me. Cooking in this kitchen was so easy & they have so many utensils on hand!! You shouldn’t need to bring anything with you. The 2 fridges in the garage were very necessary as well!! And let me tell you, when you sit down to eat at the beautiful table they have you can almost close your eyes & see yourself wanting to be there with all of your family for Thanksgiving. It’s HUGE!! I loved the deck on the main level as well. It’s a very nice spot to hang out overlooking the cove, not to mention the gas grill available for use!! The elevator is an amazing thing in this house as well. Follow the specific instructions given & you will NOT go wrong!! I slept in the downstairs bedroom which was very secluded away from the rest of the house. It’s located below the main floor master bedroom so you aren’t hearing any noise from above you unless someone is in that room. If you have a large crowd staying at the house I would put the late night sleep in people in that room. It’s adjacent to all the fun things to do in the basement & also the lower level deck which leads out to the boathouse & dock. Everyone else slept on the 2nd floor. They all slept very nicely & said the beds were comfortable. Having linen & towels to use in the house was a HUGE plus!! That made things nice by not having to carry everything with you when you need room for important things such as beer & wine!! We loved “The Castle” & we look forward to going back again!! The hosts are top notch people that helped me right away if I had a question about anything!! Thank you so much!!
    Great house and property. For the 12 family members that came we had lots of room and lots of fun. The property also has good access to the lake which we enjoyed as well.
    We thoroughly enjoyed this lake home. We had three families come for a reunion and it was a great spot for a large gathering. While much of the home is well-decorated and well acquainted, I would say we had a few disappointments in that there were several things that need updating given the very steep rental price. These items include the dock lounge chairs, tables and chairs outdoors on the basement deck patio, pots and pans, the blender, other kitchen utensils, some of the bedding,etc. Additionally, the internet was sporadic at best and all televisions are connected through the internet making the stormy days a little frustrating for those of us who wanted a movie day. Finally, the air condition was not working upstairs and the exterior windows need cleaning. Otherwise, a great visit and beautiful home.
    Accommodations were great! Kitchen well stocked. Spacious and well kept. Bonus room was enormous. We had a wonderful time!
    My husband and I and another couple stayed here for a week and it was amazing! The pictures and description pale in comparison to the real thing. We loved having a private dock for the boat and jet ski we rented. We have found our new favorite place!
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    Reel Relaxed$285/nightly avg

    Located on a quiet arm of the northern part of the lake, Reel Relaxed offers guests a way to enjoy the water in comfortable surroundings. The property comes stocked with fishing gear and three kayaks. Cast out from the home’s private pier or make the journey to the larger dock at the state park 15 minutes away.

    With a king room, a queen, a full, and a room with three twins, there’s space for the whole family. There are two wineries (Ramulose Ridge Vineyards and Hickory Hill Vineyards) less than 5 minutes from the home. Note that the house is above the lake so guests will need to tackle a stretch of stairs to get to the lake. 

    Dreaming of Moneta – your dream vacation awaits you
    15 reviews
    Private vacation home
    6 Guests
    4 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    Relaxing!!
    Came to stay for the weekend with girlfriends. Place was very clean and convenient. Beautiful place right on the lake. We would definitely stay here again. There was no linens provided is the only thing. Kitchen was fully stocked with plenty of dishes.
    Property location great in a small cove inside crystal shores large cove away from main lake. Easy access to local food lion and local restaurants . Drifters, Cowboy Napoli , Jake’s place, Mangos all great places to eat. Thanks for a great time.
    The house was great, especially the combined living room/kitchen area. There were too many stairs for elderly people (like me!), but was fine for others. My family had a wonderful vacation here.
    Overall a nice getaway home. Lots of steps both to get to the front door and even more to get to the water, definitely not handicap accessible. Make sure to bring towels and linens. A lot of the house features are outdated, but it was fine for spending time outside. There are fishing supplies down by the water and three total kayaks.
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    from USD 285
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    Chateau Relaxeau$460/nightly avg

    Situated in the middle of the southern shore (which boasts access to the most open water), Chateau Relaxeau is a great place from which to discover the joys of Smith Mountain Lake. Light and even water seem to pour into the warm living room via large lakeside windows. The home is good for a large party because of its five bedrooms and spacious common areas, indoors and out. The slope down to the lake is quite gentle even for those with mobility issues.

    In addition to the obligatory dock and grills, the house also has air hockey and foosball in the downstairs rec room.

    Dreaming of Penhook – your dream vacation awaits you
    60 reviews
    Private vacation home
    14 Guests
    5 Bedrooms
    4 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    We were blown away with this house and the hospitality of the owners. The kids and adults LOVED the kayaks and paddleboards. There was plenty of beds for everyone. Everything was very clean, and the kids had a great time with the games, telescope and they had their own TV downstairs which was nice!We built a fire every night and enjoyed the view of the beautiful moon. So much to do and enjoy about this property! We will stay here again!
    The property was beautiful with amazing access to water. Both the teens and young children were all well entertained. The space was beautiful and secluded!
    Spacious house with lots of amenities. We had a great time during our stay.
    Wonderful property and had a great time!
    We had a FANTASTIC time at “Chateau Relaxeau” The place was very clean and the kitchen had everything we needed to make delicious meals! The property had lots of items to enjoy inside as well as out on the lake. And the views were beautiful! The owners were very responsive and nice to deal with. We would stay there again in a heartbeatCarol F.
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    from USD 460
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    Glendalough$805/nightly avg

    Sitting on 5 acres of lakeside woodland, this large house is a luxurious way to enjoy time at the lake with friends and family. The house itself is a beautiful 4,200-square-foot mix of rough stone and woodwork, both inside and out. Notable features include a glorious two-story dock, a secondary dock, and a massive hot tub that fits seven bathers.

    Take the canoe out over this misty lake at any hour and learn the pleasures of life on the water. Be advised there is a one-week minimum stay for guests in the summer season.

    Dreaming of Huddleston – your dream vacation awaits you
    9 reviews
    Private vacation home
    16 Guests
    6 Bedrooms
    4 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    We had a group of 11 family members and could have EASILY fit 4-5 more. The 2 very large dorm style bedrooms upstairs are perfect for families. It was nice for us to be able to spread out. It was perfectly cozy and rustic without feeling like we were ‘roughing it’. We will be back.
    The house was very large and had plenty of room for us. All the necessary amenities were on hand in terms of cooking utensils, pots and pans, etc. We did not need to go out and get anything.The hot tub worked (I’ve stayed in places where the hot tub didnt work). The dock was great and the place has a great location on the lake.All in all, we had a great time and enjoyed the place. We would come back again.
    Beautiful property and the house was very clean. Would highly recommend!
    We had 8 adults and 7 kids with us, my husband and I, our three children and their families, aged almost 3 to almost 14. Everyone loved the time. They enjoyed the house, the property, the location and nearby activities (mostly short hikes). We had not all been together in over three years and it was a great place to meet.
    Great place, clean- Lots of room inside and out. Having 3 refrigerators was wonderful. We did some repair work on docks (added cleats). We ran out of silverware. It would be nice to be able to see the dock from the porches. Need buoys off the dock to discourage fast boats from coming so close.
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    from USD 805
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    Dream Deals Retreat$443/nightly avg

    This lovely lakeside home grants guests easy access to the lake and local amenities. It is just a few minutes away from Bridgewater Plaza, a small commercial area with big attractions like restaurants, shopping, children’s play areas, and boat rentals. No trip to the lake is complete without a boat and the convenience of having them so close is a big plus.

    The large home sleeps up to 10 people across three queen bedrooms, a king, and a bedroom with two bunk beds. Note that during the peak summer season there is a one-week minimum stay for renters.

    Dreaming of Moneta – your dream vacation awaits you
    0 review
    Private vacation home
    from USD 443
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    Deep Blue View$650/nightly avg

    With extraordinary views of blue water and lush green mountains, this stunning home promises a vacation to remember. The mixture of fine materials gives this house a stylish touch, from leather sofas and homey wood paneling to stone floors. The designers certainly did their homework.

    The large dock comes with a kayak and can easily be furnished with boats, jet skis, and more after a visit to the nearby marina. For land-based activities, the home has a basketball hoop and foosball table. With five bedrooms and an equal number of bathrooms, privacy and comfort can be maintained even with a full house.

    Dreaming of Huddleston – your dream vacation awaits you
    8 reviews
    Private vacation home
    10 Guests
    5 Bedrooms
    5 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    Had a wonderful time enjoying the lake views and relaxing on the couches down on the dock. Waking revert morning to the view of the lake was so relaxing. Loved the big shower and the double kayak, can’t wait to come back
    Whole family enjoyed the accomodations, dining and kitchen amenities, and the wonderful view from nearly every room.
    Spectacular view with very moderate boat traffic. Excellent accommodations for our group; having two living areas was nice for kids. The most-used part of the property was the dock/boat house area with the covered “living room” with nice furniture, lights, fans, and outlets.
    The house was amazing. The views from all the lake facing windows made our visit perfect. The dock was huge so we all spent our four days there. Looking forward to renting this house again next year.
    Cherished the memories we made as a family!! Truly one of the best vacations we have ever had. Wanted to book for next year but was disappointed to see that the price has been increased dramatically. Will look for another house bc we loved SML! Thanks for a great stay!
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    from USD 650
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    Pet-Friendly Log Cabin$1,050/nightly avg

    While people love time on the lake, dogs arguably have even more fun. Treat yourself and your pets to an idyllic retreat in this beautifully-furnished cabin on the quiet eastern end of Mount Smith Lake. It has “the look” you’d expect: exposed timber, stone fireplaces, and leather chairs aplenty.

    The home comes with kayaks and canoes so you can get out on the water night or day. Ping pong is also a popular pastime with guests here. Solar power has kept the lights on for the past 15 years so you can be green while enjoying your time on the big blue.

    Dreaming of – your dream vacation awaits you
    0 review
    6 Guests
    3 Bedrooms
    2 Bathrooms
    Oops, this listing is currently inactive. Check out these alternative properties in the same location!
    from USD 1,050
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    Here Comes The Sun$248/nightly avg

    With a sandy beach, pool and ping pong tables, a hammock, a fire pit, and more, there’s no shortage of relaxing activities at this pet-friendly lakefront home. The house is just down the shore (or road) from the trails of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. You can get there by road but the house does supply two kayaks for those keen on making the approach by water.

    The fenced-in backyard is perfect for letting your dog romp in a secure setting. There’s a king bedroom on the ground floor. A queen and bunk bedrooms can be found upstairs.

    Dreaming of Huddleston – your dream vacation awaits you
    65 reviews
    Private vacation home
    6 Guests
    3 Bedrooms
    2 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    After checking in, and looking around. Home had not been cleared. prior renters did a good job cleaning. pictures showed a Hammack, but one was not found on site. over all, pretty nice stay. would do it again
    We chose to stay here again this year after loving all the amenities for traveling with our dogs and 4yr old when we stayed last summer! We were a little disappointed the kayaks have a lot of wear and tear and aren’t as functional this year from broken seat backs. We enjoyed the option of the garage game room to pass some time during the rain. The lake was beautiful as always, we loved it was still warm enough for a swim but some peaks of fall starting to come out!
    Great location, privacy. Dog run is very convenient and secure. Love having the kayaks — used them a lot — but brought my own vests. The main deck needs some major work — several rot spots and rough boards are dangerous for feet and paws. Air Conditioning seems to have been upgraded!! I don’t recall the 2 zone system last year (2021) and it worked super well this year (2022). I wish there was direct water access without rip wrap (rocks) on the right side of the dock. That would provide much better swimming access for people and pets. As it is, if you access the water from the tiny beach, you have to swim in the narrow gap between your dock and the neighbor’s dock to get to the larger area. But overall, a nice place with lots of amenities to enjoy.
    Overall good: Kayaks were a big plus, boat dock was convenient and accessible without a lot of waves. Downside: basement was musty, shower curtain was moldy, different height of one inside stair going to second floor caused falls, protruding screw on deck off living room, dock ‘handrail’ to step on lower dock is too near the post and pinches fingers .
    Relaxing experience with fun extras. Beautiful lake with clean water. Fun fishing and kayaking. We enjoyed s’mores at the fire pit and the mini pool table in the garage.
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    from USD 248
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    Lake Haven Retreat$543/nightly avg

    From the granite countertops of the open-concept kitchen to the gorgeous covered dock, this home is rich with glamorous features large and small. A beautiful solid wood dining table makes dining alfresco all the more appealing.

    There’s a full bathroom for all three bedrooms with plenty of room for everyone. The house comes with kayaks, paddle boards, and an array of inflatable goodies. The state park is quite close, as are restaurants including The Landing, a local favorite.

    Dreaming of Huddleston – your dream vacation awaits you
    34 reviews
    Private vacation home
    8 Guests
    4 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    This house and property was absolutely amazing and beautiful. Kurt and Nancy really make you feel at home and set you up with anything you could possibly need and more!The location on the lake is Perfect. Boat access so easy and that dock!
    We had a wonderful time at the lake. This property is extremely clean and well-stocked with linens, towels, games, and every kitchen gadget you could wish for. We loved the screened porch and beautiful dock. We visit SML often and this rental home is among our favorites.
    We recently stayed at Pier Paradise and all I can say is we didn’t want to leave. This home is stunning and the owners attention to detail is outstanding. Our children loved jumping off the dock into the lake and paddle boarding. We hired a boat for the day which is a must to see the beauty of this incredible lake. The home has everything you need for a perfect vacation with a kitchen that is fully equipped so you want for nothing. We had a few BBQs and even tho it was very hot had a night around the fire pit which is fantastic. Beds are lovely and comfortable, property was very clean and smelled divine. Kurt and Nancy are amazing hosts and are there to help you if you need anything. We had an amazing week here and was very sad to leave. Made some lovely family memories and we hope to return one day. Thank you for making our holiday so pleasurable. The Coxs.From the UK.
    My family had a wonderful time. Beautiful property with high end details. Dock was loaded with extras and a perfect gathering area after tubing and swimming. Would definitely rent again.
    We absolutely loved our stay here! Location was great, house is beautiful and well stocked, and boat access was easy with the state park so close. Kurt and Nancy were so helpful and hospitable. We will be back!
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    from USD 543
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    Historic Log Cabin$138/nightly avg

    Constructed in the late 18th century in our nation’s early years, this log cabin is a genuine artifact from the region’s history. With a galley kitchen and rough stone fireplace, the place really does feel like a relic from the past. That doesn’t mean it isn’t comfortable, however. The furniture is modern but fits with the building’s antique character. The main bedroom has a queen bed and there’s a second bedroom with two twins and another queen, making this an ideal retreat for either a couple or a family.

    The owners have provided kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. Located in a secluded and wooded area, privacy for you and yours is assured. There is also a new structure near the cabin, a covered area with a grill and outdoor shower. Pets are most welcome. 

    Dreaming of Huddleston – your dream vacation awaits you
    205 reviews
    Cabin
    4 Guests
    2 Bedrooms
    1 Bathroom
    Top guest reviews
    The pictures do not do it justice! My husband and I enjoyed our weekend getaway at Smith Mountain Lake. David was great. The cabin was great. Everything was great!! 🙂
    dave has it set up right for us
    We loved our short stay. David makes this small cabin very special. The fresh flowers were an in expected nice touch. The outdoor kitchen was stocked better then my own. Even though it was a little cool and windy we had fun on the paddle board and kayak. The water was still warm enough for swimming. Also having the state park so close was nice. We had a great hike there. I could see coming back here one day.
    It was our third visit and we never fail to be impressed with this sweet house in a perfect location. There are lots of thoughtful amenities, and we always feel right at home from thetime we arrive. Can’t wait to go back!
    This cabin is rustic, charming and has everything you need to have a great getaway. The outdoor living areas are awesome. David has thoughtful provided everything for cooking outdoors and and enjoying the lake front with a fire pit and a second cooking area! We can’t wait to come back !
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    from USD 138
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    To discover the best things to do in northern Virginia, check out:

    • 11 Fantastic Things To Do In Historic Wytheville, Virginia
    • How To Spend A Long Weekend In Historic Lynchburg, VA

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