Smith Mountain Lake was named the top lake in Virginia in a ranking of the "Best Lakes in All 50 U.S. States" by MSN Travel and Cheapism.

One lake was selected from every state with Smith Mountain Lake in the company of some famous vacation spots such as Lake Michigan, Lake Tahoe (Nevada) and Lake Erie (Ohio.)

Here's what the editors had to say: "Known as the 'Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains', Smith Mountain Lake (or SML, as locals call it) offers 580 miles of shoreline. Roughly equidistant from Roanoke and Lynchburg, this rural destination is popular with outdoor-loving retirees and vacationers."

The top lakes were chosen because they offered plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing and watersports.