Campgrounds and RV parks near North Shore, VA

The north shore refers to the Bedford County side of Smith Mountain Lake, the largest lake contained entirely within Virginia and the second largest freshwater lake in the state. The lake sits in the Blue Ridge foothills roughly 40 miles from both Roanoke and Lynchburg, with the Roanoke River separating the north shore from the Franklin County side to the south. Smith Mountain Lake State Park anchors the public land here, occupying a peninsula on the north shore in Bedford County. Private RV parks and marinas fill in the shoreline around the state park. Blue Ridge Campgroud and Marina and Halesford Harbour Resort sit near the water on the north side, while Sweetwater RV Park serves travelers looking for full-hookup sites nearby. Smith Mountain Campground is a short drive around the lake, and Leesville Lake Campground, LLC offers an alternative on the smaller reservoir downstream of the Smith Mountain Dam. Most visitors come for boating, fishing, and swimming, with over 500 miles of shoreline to explore.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park reservations open up to 11 months in advance through reservevaparks.com or by calling 1-800-933-PARK, the central Virginia State Parks reservation line. For popular summer weekends, book as early as the window opens. Cabins and the group camping lodge use the same system, with a two-night minimum for the lodge during the camping season. Private parks on the north shore, including Blue Ridge Campgroud and Marina, Halesford Harbour Resort, Sweetwater RV Park, and Smith Mountain Campground, take reservations directly through their own websites or by phone. Leesville Lake Campground, LLC also books directly. Midweek arrivals are easier to secure than Friday and Saturday nights in season, and last-minute cancellations at the state park are common enough that a cancellation-watch tool is worth using.