Smith Mountain Dam and Visitor Center

Smith Mountain Dam is a concrete arch dam located on the Roanoke River in Virginia, creating Smith Mountain Lake. The dam was built by Appalachian Power (a division of American Electric Power) between 1960 and 1963 for the purposes of pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The dam created Smith Mountain Lake as its reservoir, where recreation and real estate have become popular.

One of the prettiest sights near Smith Mountain Lake is the view from the dam. When visitors come to town, we always make that one of our first sight-seeing jaunts for their enjoyment. Besides the view, you can feel the power of the water coming over the dam, take a picnic and hike around the area, and go to the visitor center where you’ll learn all sorts of fascinating things about the dam as well as the lake itself. The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce invites you to come to see for yourself.

At the Visitor Center overlooking the Dam, you’ll enjoy learning how electricity is generated in a pumped storage and hydroelectric project. There are hands-on exhibits and computer models to try, a theatre with audio-visual presentations, and a three-dimensional terrain map, which shows the lake area as if viewed from an altitude of 25,000 feet. Outside the Visitors Center, there are overlook areas providing spectacular views of the dam, gorge, and lake plus picnic facilities with charcoal grills located near the base of the dam. So make a day of it at this great attraction that created the lake back in 1966.

Smith Mountain Lake Dam Visitors Center
https://www.smithmtn.com/
Phone: 540.985.2587

Winter Hours

November 1 – April 3
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday & Sunday

Summer Hours

April 4 – October 31
Tuesday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday