A Lakefront Escape
on Smith Mountain Lake
Nestled on the tranquil shores of Smith Mountain Lake, Heron House offers 180-degree water views and a private dock just steps from the door. With 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and space for up to 10 guests across two living areas, a game room, and a playroom, there’s room for the whole family to spread out and unwind.
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The House
5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms sleep up to 10 guests, with two living spaces, a game room, and a playroom to spread out in.
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Amenities
Enjoy a private dock, kayaks, and a fire pit right on the water, plus a game room and playroom for the whole family.
Get to Know Smith Mountain Lake
Grab a Bite
There are so many great restaurants around the lake. Some of our favorites include Benny Adelina’s for their famous 28" pizzas, The Copper Kettle, and Napoli by the Lake. Drifter’s and Jake’s Place are local and visitor favorites that are on the water and often have live music. You can even pull your boat up to their dock for a drink or meal and then get back to tubing! Feel like staying in but don’t want to cook? Try Farmhouse Catering and Meals to Go for delicious mains and sides to bring home.
Cast a Line
SML is the 2nd largest lake in Virginia with over 500 miles of shoreline and is considered to be one of the best fishing spots on the east coast. Bring your own equipment to fish right off the dock or a boat (be sure to check license requirements here), or book a private charter with an experienced fishing guide (Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Guide Service and Hartman Guide Services are good options). A charter can provide the boat, equipment, bait, and knowledge of the best fishing spots to make the experience stress-free.
Explore the Marinas
Smith Mountain Lake has marinas all along its 500 miles of shoreline, but Bridgewater Marina is the most popular. Pull up to the docks and you'll find a whole lineup of restaurants and bars, including Mango's Bar & Grill, Pizza Pub, Moosie's, and The Lucky Duck, plus Ice Cream Cottage and SML Coffee House. Kids (and kids at heart) will want to hit Harbortown Miniature Golf and the Fun-N-Games Arcade. No boat? No problem — Bridgewater rents boats and jet skis right there, so you can get out on the water for the day and be back in time for dinner.
Hit the Trails
Smith Mountain Lake State Park is about a 25 minute drive from Heron House and offers seven trails ranging from easy to moderate. Our favorite is Turtle Island Trail. If you want something a bit more off the beaten path, try the Smith Mountain Cooperative Wildlife Management Area trail, although be prepared that there are not any bathroom facilities. The SML Cooperative is also close to the State Park and the SML Dam Visitor’s Center.
What our Guests Say
Heron House was the perfect vacation spot for our family, spanning ages from 2 months to 75 years. The spacious layout gave everyone plenty of room to relax, and the screened-in porch quickly became our favorite hangout for evening games. “Fully stocked” doesn’t even begin to describe it—the kitchen had everything we needed to prepare big family meals, and the abundance of beach towels and floaties was such a thoughtful touch. We spent our days tubing, jet skiing, and swimming, and made memories we’ll treasure. We can’t wait to come back!
-- Stacy R.I have been vacationing at SML for over 20 years. This is the first time I booked the same house in fact I committed even before I left. A total turn key vacation where every detail was perfect. Kid friendly and a great location on the lake. I can not wait to go back next year.
-- James B.The Heron House is simply amazing. It has every amenity you could think of, especially the kitchen! The house was perfect for our family vacation of 3 generations!
-- Michael W.
Our family has dreamed of owning a lake house for many years, and we feel so fortunate to have finally made that dream a reality! We have two teenage boys, and we live full-time in Durham, North Carolina. Smith Mountain Lake is such a special place for our family, and we are thrilled to share it with yours so that you can also experience the magic of Heron House!
—Doug and Bridget Cook
