About Franklin County, VA

Smith Mountain Lake residents love to taut the privacy and rare seclusion offered by this community. Though it is a quiet place to live, with plenty of space and properties enclosed in their own personal pocket of acreage, privacy doesn’t mean we’re far away from the most important conveniences. Healthcare, for example, is a top priority at Smith Mountain Lake. Residents are never far from excellent clinics, hospitals and physicians. Area health care companies are expanding to meet the needs of a growing SML community, ensuring every lake family has access to medical care located within just a few miles or less.

Two area healthcare networks have state-of-the-art locations at or near Smith Mountain Lake. Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic meets the needs of local residents through their Westlake Center, just minutes from some of the most populated neighborhoods on the lake. Centra Health, based in Campbell County’s city of Lynchburg, also offers the SML community several treatment facilities including Village Family Physicians, Centra Stroobants Heart Center and Seven Hills Urology - all located near the lake. In addition to clinics close to Smith Mountain Lake, several hospitals are readily available to lake area patients in need of emergency care, a birthing center or specialized services.

Carilion Clinic installed a helipad at its Westlake location a few years ago and recently reported plans to add a hangar to the location. Smith Mountain Lake is in the company’s sights as a place for increased emergency care access, including air medical services. A development sure to give lake families even more peace of mind.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation is giving away a phenomenal five-day, four-night Smith Mountain Lake vacation as part of its Love Aquatic “Fun on the Water” sweepstakes. The Washington Post reported on the travel sweepstakes on January 30th, mentioning the relaxing pontoon rental getaway at Smith Mountain Lake. The prize includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations for four, a four-day pontoon boat rental, family fun pass at Bridgewater Plaza, dinner for four at two popular local restaurants, a rental car for five days and a $200 cash card.

What an opportunity for the winner to experience beautiful Smith Mountain Lake and so many of its superb amenities. In five days, a family can certainly be won over by more than their vacation. Certainly the unbeatable waterscape, endless luxury homes, friendly community and quality service offered here will make a lasting impression. We’re thrilled Smith Mountain Lake is considered a prime vacation destination by Virginia Tourism.

Before long, spring will show up at Smith Mountain Lake, bringing beauty of a blooming landscape, the brightness of summer, and....weddings! Which means now is the time for brides and grooms to plan the what, when and where of their big day. In recent years, Smith Mountain Lake has emerged as a prime wedding location for locals who are already familiar with its attraction and quite a few distant couples who find it to be a wedding day dream come true. In the winter 2012 issue of our local Laker Magazine is its annual wedding guide, highlighting SML as a lovely, affordable wedding destination. If you’re looking for the perfect place to have a memorable wedding day, the stories included in the guide will secure this place as a desirable choice.

If you’re a bride planning a Smith Mountain Lake wedding, or the family member of an engaged person for whom SML would be a perfect fit for, this resource could be a tremendous help. If you do spend a wedding weekend at Smith Mountain Lake, don’t forget to spend some time taking in the fantastic homes, waterfront communities and views our mountain lake has to offer. If you have any real estate questions, we’d love to help. Happy SML wedding planning!

Spend much time at Smith Mountain Lake and you’ll quickly notice how many transfers the place attracts. A beautiful, retreat-like lake setting in the scenic Blue Ridge is the second home or retirement dream of many, particularly natives of northern cities and states such as Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Such residents will tell you they worked hard in a busy city to then retire or relocate to a tranquil setting where their friends children and grandchildren can enjoy the open countryside, water recreation and Mayberry-like neighborhood in safety.

A recent article in our local Laker Weekly newspaper illustrates how popular Smith Mountain Lake is with east coast transplants. Several SML women with roots in New Jersey have formed their own club to make the common northern connection, plus use their time together to benefit area charities.

When you live at a mountain lake location such as we do, attracting new residents from larger areas is a constant reminder of how charming your hometown really is.

The year is young and if you’re like us, you’re hoping to accomplish a few goals soon to get you set up for a great 2012. As long as the weather is chilly, the Smith Mountain Lake water is not so inviting and the neighborhood is quiet, it’s a great time to stay inside and check off your list of home interior changes.

We mentioned before that there’s a bright, bold color trending this year, but fresh color isn’t the only transformation you’ll want greeting you and your family members when they walk through your front door. Country Living Magazine has a few decorating ideas intended for a calm atmosphere, while remaining family-friendly. These interior ideas, perfect for the antique collector, country design lover and “welcome home” comfort seeker fit with the overall atmosphere of peaceful lake living at Smith Mountain Lake well.

Spend a few days investing a few alterations into your SML home or luxury home’s interior and you’ll notice the difference, as will your friends and family - all year long.