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Smith Mountain Lake Community Park

Description

Smith Mountain Lake Community Park encompasses a wooded peninsula that stretches out into Smith Mountain Lake. The trail leading out to the park passes through dense conifers to a mix of pines and deciduous woodland. The area hosts many of the resident birds found in the woods of the western Piedmont while providing an attractive site to look for migrant songbirds. The area’s almost 360-degree view of open water on Smith Mountain Lake is ideal for searching for waterfowl. Common loons, horned grebes and numerous waterfowl can be found in the surrounding inlets as well as ring-billed gulls, double-crested cormorants, great blue herons and an occasional tern or other vagrant. The lakeshore should also be carefully searched for several species of damselflies and potentially half-a-dozen or more dragonfly species.

Directions

Physical Address: 1480 Parkway Avenue, Moneta, VA 24121

From Rocky Mount, take VA-122 for about 14 miles to Westlake Center. Turn right onto SR 616/ Scruggs Rd. Travel 4.8 miles, then turn left onto Blue Water Dr. Go 1.2 miles then turn right onto Saunders Farm Rd. Continue 0.4 miles to the stop sign & turn right onto Winding Waters Dr. Travel another 0.4 miles and turn left onto Parkway Ave. The park is located on the cul-de-sac at the end of road.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

  • Site Contact: (540) 483-9293 paulchapman@franklincountyva.gov
  • Website
  • Access: Park: Free, Daily, Dawn - Dusk. Beach: see website for current year's fee

Birds Recently Seen at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park (as reported to eBird)

  • Canada Goose
  • Rock Pigeon
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Blue Jay
  • American Crow
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Accessible
  • Hiking Trails
  • Information
  • Parking
  • Picnic
  • Restrooms
  • Kayak/Canoe Launch
  • Beach