Smith Mountain Lake State Park campground provides access to a 20,000-acre lake surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located 31 miles southeast of Roanoke, the park offers diverse camping options with tent sites and RV spots situated across varied terrain. Water temperatures at Smith Mountain Lake reach up to 83°F during summer months, creating comfortable swimming conditions from late May through September.
What to do
Hiking near mountain views: Trails at Cave Mountain Lake Campground connect to impressive mountain vistas. "There is ample hiking and the lake is something different to do," notes Chaz M. The campground sits within the George Washington National Forest, providing access to longer trail systems beyond the immediate camping area.
Swimming in clear water: Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers designated swimming areas with calm water. "Perfect clean clear water to fish, swim," writes William P. The lake maintains consistent summer temperatures, making it suitable for extended water activities throughout the camping season.
Mountain biking trails: The trail system near Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing provides varied terrain for riders of different skill levels. "If you're up for a fun hike, take the Outerspace trail up to 'The Bluff' and enjoy the mountain views," suggests Maxime T. The trail network connects directly to camping areas with no shuttle required.
What campers like
Secluded, tiered campsites: Peaks of Otter Campground offers uniquely designed sites built into the mountainside. "The setting was heavily wooded, so the shade combined with the higher elevation made for a very cool, pleasant retreat from the July heat," writes Jen V. The campground layout creates natural separation between sites despite the compact footprint.
Creek access directly from sites: Several campsites at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp back up to flowing water. "We stayed at site 6 and it backed up to a little stream. Our boys loved playing in the stream and climbing the hill to get to our hammock on the site too," explains Lanie B. These water-adjacent sites provide natural white noise for sleeping and recreation opportunities directly from the campsite.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution around Smith Mountain Lake creates optimal stargazing conditions. "Boy are there some amazing stars out here," notes Jonny D. The lake setting provides open viewsheds without tree canopy obstruction for unimpeded astronomical observation.
What you should know
Limited or no shower facilities: Many campgrounds near Roanoke have basic restroom facilities without showers. A reviewer at Peaks of Otter notes, "I have to give POO 4 stars because 1) there are no showers and that's a big deal if you're staying more than a night or two." Plan accordingly with alternative hygiene options for multi-day stays.
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Peaks of Otter Campground runs from "May 6 to October 29," while Cave Mountain Lake operates "April 1 to October 31," requiring off-season camping alternatives.
Water sources vary by location: Dragon's Tooth camping area requires water planning. "There is no running water, but there are vault toilets stocked with toilet paper at the trailhead as well as bear proof trashcans," explains Angela D. "No need to pack a life straw of any kind because there's not really water around except right in the beginning of the trail from the parking lot," adds Gabby & Brian V.
Tips for camping with families
Stream play areas: Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp offers shallow water features. "The little streams running near each site, the beautiful walk to the lake with the leopard salamanders that the kids could catch and swim in," describes Gloria G. These natural water features provide contained play areas for children with parental supervision.
Level tent sites for easy setup: Look for designated flat areas when camping with children. At Smith Mountain Lake, "Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy," according to Scott B. The established tent pads minimize setup challenges when managing children simultaneously.
Pet-friendly trail options: Multiple campgrounds accommodate family pets with appropriate trail access. At Explore Park, one camper notes the sites are "Pretty and quiet. Lovely," and appreciates that they're "Not sitting in a field!!!" This natural setting provides shade and terrain variation for pets and children alike.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup options: RV campers should plan for partial or no hookups at many locations. Smith Mountain Lake offers more complete RV services with "electric-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups, water-hookups, and sanitary-dump" facilities on site, making it preferred for longer stays.
Tight access roads: Many campgrounds feature narrow, winding approach roads. At Peaks of Otter, "The CG as a whole looked kind of overgrown and neglected, but for some reason that added to its charm for me," notes Jen V., indicating the rustic access conditions that larger rigs may find challenging.
Leveling challenges on mountain sites: The terrain creates naturally sloped campsites. One camper at Peaks of Otter noted, "The campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope)." Bring adequate leveling equipment for mountain camping locations.
