Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a 1,148-acre Virginia park near Huddleston built around a reservoir created when Appalachian Power dammed the Roanoke River at Smith Mountain Gap between 1960 and 1966. The project became possible with newer reservoir methods, but it also required buying flooded land and relocating many cemeteries under Virginia law. Appalachian Power began donating land for the park in 1967, and it opened in 1983. Along with water recreation, camping, picnicking, and hiking, the park reflects Virginia conservation efforts, including support from Roanoke delegate A. Victor Thomas for funding that helped add rental cabins.