Talked about it for years but I really want to take a road trip this summer and check out some lake boating, I bought a diesel and I need to tow the boat to justify it!. I live in Virginia Beach so my max distance is probably 5-6 hrs towing, looking for a cabin or condo on the water, dog friendly, kid firendly, something to do in area when not boating. Is SML worth the extra haul versus Gaston or Kerr Dam? Any other lakes within my driving distance. What would a week rental at SML run? I've never been to any of them, stay pretty close to home in summer.

While not an expert on the area per say I will say that coming from Chesapeake I'd go to SML over Gaston anytime I had the chance simply because there is more to do there. Gaston is close but unless you know people there and cruise to their places there's only one to two other destinations that I know of where at SML there are easily a dozen or more. Both lakes get small with a faster boat but we still had much more fun exploring SML than Gaston as well. I don't know anything about Kerr so will defer to those that boat in that area. If the idea is a week vacation you'll love the lakes, I sometimes wonder why we mess with the bays and ocean when the water at the lakes is so nice...

Thanks, that's kinda the impression I have of Gaston, hard to believe that I have lived in VB for 15 yrs and never been there.

We REALLY enjoyed the trip we took this year to Lake Norman. We will definitely go back.
SML will always be our favorite.

From the Richmond area, the trip was about the same effort for us to either place. The drive to Lake Norman is all interstate so easy towing. The drive to SML is all local roads 4 lanes, with hills and a few lights; and then 2 lanes for the last 20-30 miles. While the trip to Lake Norman is a bit longer, it's easier given aforementioned facts.

Check out www.marinerslanding.com for SML.
Plenty to do for kids at the Bridge too. http://www.bridgewaterplaza.com/
Feel free to check out the www.smlba.com site for details on the Poker Run in the spring if you want to try out the lake. The water will be a bit too cold to swim in, but the lake is still 100% enjoyable.

There was a place with all kinds of activities at the south end of Lake Norman as well, but I don't know the name of it.
We rented a BEAUTIFUL home on www.vrbo.com and intend to rent it again for the fun run next year. You might want to align your week of vacation with that fun run; as we really had a blast. (You can find places on VRBO.com for SML as well.)

Kerr & Gaston are both beautiful, but very undeveloped. We have very good friends on Kerr, but it's only worth going there to stay at their home. It is beautiful boating though.

Don't even bother with Lake Anna unless you want to go for Hot Boat Weekend just to see the jet boat festivities and party. It's just too small and busy to enjoy a boat over 25 feet. I've had my 37 there quite a few times, but there are too many idiots and too many narrow spots. I took the big boat there once last year for my maiden voyage of the season, and only had 1 idiot try to wreck with us vs. 50 like usual.

Pete, come to the SML poker run. Great introduction to the area and you'll meet lots of local boaters.

I too just bought a diesel and will likely start towing.

Were probably thinking July so the Poker run is out but I really might do your run this year Bill!

Thanks Brian, I checked out Mariners landing, looks nice, How long is the ride from VB to SML? I assume you just take 58 ? stop lights the whole way past 95?

What kinda truck did you get Bill?

From your end, you would take 64 all the way to Richmond, and then 360 to 460 to Smith Mountain.

We've always just taken 58 to 460 then dependign on where on the lake we're going take it from there. I will say I'd look at a map as well as just using your phone or google maps, every time I've used those exclusively it's taken me around my butt but if you look at a map there are a couple roads that take you straight in, they just don't fit into the google or mapquest routes for some reason.

TSML is great for the kids, dogs, etc. quite a few of the destinations there by boat are dog friendly too and there's some friendly powerboats on that lake. July the water is warm and you can swim anywhere. Week of 4th of July is a bit congested.

I've been wanting to do this run. Hopefully this yr.