Smithville Lake

Been coming here since I was a kid to fish with my parents, but over the years been too busy or just didn't care for it. Recently, especially with this Covid-19 pandemic, I have been enjoying mother nature and love being outdoors! Also love to go fishing again. We went here with some friends and bestie. It was so much needed to get away from the reality, very peaceful, stress-free environment. Love seeing other families out there as well... fishing and enjoying the outdoors too. They have lots of spots to fish from, like under the bridge, flat surfaces, and boat docks. There's some trails and also a beach too. Definitely a big place to explore and enjoy.

Close to home but far enough to vacay away from home! Great boating, fishing and hiking.

We took the RV out for the weekend. Booking was easy online, and checking in was even easier. On drive up we were handed a packet, even allowed for late check-in, and allowed for more time doing what we want.Low hassle on getting out of there. Only complaint was no sewage at site, dump site on exit.

Beautiful. Always. There is so much to explore and gorgeous trails. Sunsets and sunrises are exceptional here. Trails are well maintained and now most of them have restrooms available. So happy Smithville is my home.

Smithville Lake is alright. Problem is there are so many trees under water here! The first area we went to that says it's a boat ramp actually had tons of visible trees sticking out. Then we drove back down south to another boat ramp. We launched there and things seemed to be alright. While swimming, we swan into some brush. These areas aren't marked. I'm not sure if we'll be back or not.

Our lake is a gem. Whether you want to boat, ski, jet ski, camp, hike, walk or cycle this is the place. 19 miles of beautiful water, 24 miles of paved walk/run/cycle trails and that doesn't count the off road biking trails. Skeet shooting range. Wooded trail below the dam. Fishing, swimming and the best 4th of July fireworks anywhere. This is why we live here. We often drive the 2 miles from our home just to watch the sunset.

Last time I was here there was a couple doing it in the lake, dead fish on the beach, and the shore was full of the Midwest's answer to the beach bum. Sunburned overweight moms trying in vain to wrangle their out of control brood. "Dammit Travis, now you quit hittin that girl now ya'here?" If you're in any way a germ a phobe, avoid the lake, or at least the designated swimming areas. Otherwise this is just your classic little lake; pretty scenery, good camp grounds, and a small lake for your party pontoon boat. The place is scattered with those permanent BBQ grills that you see in parks, and they charge you by the car to enter. This is pretty standard for campgrounds and helps them keep the place clean and will kept. I remember a baby sitter taking my sister and I here to go tubing when I was in grade school, and I had an unbelievable time. The rush of an elementary school child being pulled behind a boat at what felt like a hundred miles an hour was an unexpected joy that holds a unique place in my heart, we all have these moments, no matter how shitty our childhood, these are the moments that strive to cancel out the bad times. My day ended when I freaked out after my goggles fell into the lake. That upset me more than it really should have, and is probably a testament to the fact that my own childhood wasn't so bad. The other Smithville memory that comes to mind, is a house party I went to. I recall a swarm of wasps threatened to ruin the last minute house party until someones mom busted out several cans of raid. I'm not proud that I drove home that night, I was in no shape to, but high school kids are not known for their great decision making skills. I was able to miss out on my friend Brandon peeing on my other buddy Craig in the back of yet another friend of mine, Brian's Jeep Cherokee. If I had a night to get urinated on, that was not it. Maybe later. Anyway, as gross as the public swimming area here is, this spot has so much to offer that if you can't have a good time here, then you are obviously a robot.

We have only been to the shore a few times so my son can fish. He has not caught any fish from the shore but it is a beautiful lake. We will explore more areas around the lake in the future.I have seen ski-do's and water skiing and lots of boats on the lake. There are also beaches for swimming in the campground so this lake must not have water moccasins and that is a good thing. Highly recommended.

Terrible experience. A lot of the hook ups require a 50 amp plug in on your RV or the use of an adapter which isn't listed on the web page anywhere. Some camping spaces have both and some only have the 50 amp option. Ridiculous that you have to carry adapters just to camp here. Will not be camping here again.

You'll love it here! Boat? Jetski? Kayak? Trails? You can do it all! Everything outdoors here and it's so clean and the people are nice.