Lake Martin or Lewis smith

[Mike Fenton]

Looking to plan a vacation this summer to lake martin or Lewis smith lake.. Im from Louisiana so we surf on a brown water river. Looking for a lake with some clean water. Wanting to travel about 8 hours from baton rouge. Any suggestions?

[tceasar]

How long are you planning to stay? The family has had a place on Martin for almost 30 years and Ive got a buddy on Smith so Ive got plenty of experience on both

Martin - Martin has good bit to do around it. Off the top of my head....four/five restaurants on the water. You also have Auburn within 30 minutes or so if you want to shoot over there. There are plenty of homes for rent on the lake, and a good bit to do even off the water. Plus, chimney rock is a great place to drop anchor and hang out for a couple of hours.

Cons to Martin - it can get incredibly busy in certain areas. If you are looking for good water to ski/surf on, rent a place on the north part of the lake. You can find some great areas with good water regardless of time of day. Only downside is the north part is probably a 45+ minute or so ride to the kowaliga area (three restaurants around there).

Smith - Martin is pretty wide open....and Smith is the opposite. For the most part its pretty narrow. Ive slalomed in the middle of Smith on the 4th of July with minimal chop. From a recreational standpoint, Smith > Martin. It also has areas to jump off like Martin with Chimney rock

Cons to Smith - it doesnt have near as many extras like Martin does. At martin, you can sing karaoke at Parkers Landing or hear a band at Chucks Marina. Both places are packed most weekends and are blast for all ages. Smith is lacking that.

Both lakes are great. Martin will be pricier for a rental, but depending on what kind of crew you're bringing, Martin will appeal to more ages.

hapoy to answer any or all questions you may have. Feel free to PM if you want

[Mike Fenton]

How long are you planning to stay? The family has had a place on Martin for almost 30 years and Ive got a buddy on Smith so Ive got plenty of experience on both

Martin - Martin has good bit to do around it. Off the top of my head....four/five restaurants on the water. You also have Auburn within 30 minutes or so if you want to shoot over there. There are plenty of homes for rent on the lake, and a good bit to do even off the water. Plus, chimney rock is a great place to drop anchor and hang out for a couple of hours.

Cons to Martin - it can get incredibly busy in certain areas. If you are looking for good water to ski/surf on, rent a place on the north part of the lake. You can find some great areas with good water regardless of time of day. Only downside is the north part is probably a 45+ minute or so ride to the kowaliga area (three restaurants around there).

Smith - Martin is pretty wide open....and Smith is the opposite. For the most part its pretty narrow. Ive slalomed in the middle of Smith on the 4th of July with minimal chop. From a recreational standpoint, Smith > Martin. It also has areas to jump off like Martin with Chimney rock

Cons to Smith - it doesnt have near as many extras like Martin does. At martin, you can sing karaoke at Parkers Landing or hear a band at Chucks Marina. Both places are packed most weekends and are blast for all ages. Smith is lacking that.

Both lakes are great. Martin will be pricier for a rental, but depending on what kind of crew you're bringing, Martin will appeal to more ages.

hapoy to answer any or all questions you may have. Feel free to PM if you want

Thank man, Its just going to be me and the family.. 3 kids. Sounds like martin will be the place to go. I found a bunch of air bnbs for the weekend after the forth of july. Will probably stay for a week. Kids will want to swim and tube mostly. Was just looking for something different besides this dirty water we always ride in. The plus side of the place we ride its always glass no matter the time of day.

[myers]

If you rent a place on the Jasper side of Smith Lake you will be better off on Lewis Smith Lake. With Family you will have a better care free time on Smith. Staying on the Jasper side there are a lot of good restaurants 10 min by car from lake. If you want to be able to do watersports carefree and have less worries Smith is the choice. We tend to go to Martin when we dont want to do watersports and dont have the kidos. To much boat traffic, to many crazy drivers. It was a more fun lake when we did not have kids and wanted to party all day.

[49ersDirk]

I have not been to Martin but water at Smith lake is crystal clear. We were not on jasper side and there were limited restaurants.

Coming from Louisiana I would recommend hot springs ark. You can rent a house on lake Hamilton and be to 50 restaurants in 10 minutes. Water at Hamilton is not crystal clear but not bad, but best lake is lake ouchita just 30 minutes north. Water is so clear and no developments anywhere around the lake. Rent at Hamilton and go to ouchita a couple days it is gorgeous. Greer’s ferry north of Little Rock also has clear water but fewer restaurants and rentals.


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[bladespec]

I grew up on Martin and just bought a lake house there so I’m a little biased. But having enjoyed both Smith & Martin a lot I can honestly say Martin is the better bet for family friendly fun. The kids will love goat island.
Endless water stops for food & music.
My friends own a rental business there as well if you need a local to direct you I gladly pass along there info.


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[Whitetail15]

are people referring to smith mountain lake in virginia? or another smith lake?

[GMLIII]

are people referring to smith mountain lake in virginia? or another smith lake?

No Smith is another lake not SML in Va. On Smith lake you can wakesurf within 200 feet of an object unlike the new regulations being imposed at SML in VA.