Moneta offers proximity to Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Within the Smith Mountain Lake area, Moneta, 25 miles from Roanoke, is appreciated for its proximity to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 8 miles away. “Moneta is near the Smith Mountain Lake, so it's a great resort community,” says Scott Fogleman, a Realtor with eXp Realty. Fogleman has been working in the industry since 2010. “The desirability, especially since COVID, to be in a place with great water views and outdoor recreation has been in high demand.” Moneta is a mixed area with residential and commercial areas surrounded by farmland. The community is not on the water but close enough to easily access the lakeside amenities and far enough away to avoid the crowds in summer.
Hike in community parks and boat on the lake
Moneta Park is a 119-acre park with 50 acres developed for a trail system, picnic shelters, sports fields and an 18-hole disc golf course. Along Old Moneta Road is the Moneta Community Park, which has a manicured field for soccer and a play structure.
The Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 8 miles away, defines the area, drawing weekenders, boaters and anglers to its shores. “The lake is man-made, designed to help provide power to the community, it was farmland that was damned, and the water was filled in,” says Fogleman. “You can swim in it, but the water drops off quickly, so you need life jackets, and then it's close to the mountains, so you get incredible views.” The park has a beach open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and there are camp sites and trails throughout the area. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes on the lake, with many marinas and fishing docks lining the shore. “It’s a great lake for water sports: boats, water skiing, jet skiing and there's a large fishing tournament once a year,” says Fogleman.
Seasonal events in the area
The Moneta Library holds events and programs year-round, such as storytimes, arts and crafts and yoga classes. From May through August, the Moneta Farmers Market takes place on Wednesdays outside the library.
In July, Smith Mountain Lake hosts Pirate Days, a weekend-long event with a ball, a costume contest, a vendor market and boat battles. Everyone gets on their boats with water cannons and shoots at each other, says Fogleman. The B&W Trailer Heavy Hitters Bass Pro Tour takes place in May, and professional anglers compete to see who can catch the heaviest bass.
Single-family homes along winding roadways
Homes line winding roadways, with room for front and backyards. Houses on larger lots are built back from the road down dirt paths or long driveways. Homes are mainly single-family in the Colonial Revival and ranch-styles. They range in price from $200,000 to $400,000. “People will retire there. They’re looking for investments, they’ll visit on the weekend or rent out the property,” says Fogleman.
Commuters use state routes to reach nearby towns
State Route 24 leads 25 miles to Roanoke and state Route 122 leads 40 miles to Lynchburg, in the opposite direction. The same route leads to Bedford, 13 miles away, and Rocky Mount, 23 miles away. The Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital is 15 miles away, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is 29 miles away. The Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church is a 1896 historic house of worship in Moneta. Other houses of worship include the Bethlehem United Methodist Church and Promise Land Baptist Church.
Restaurants and retailers in Moneta
Edo Grill and Sushi shares a building with Cilantro Mexican Grill on Mercantile Street. Next door is Bella Vita Italian Restaurant, which serves classic Italian dishes and American pub fare in a diner decorated with wall murals. The Moneta Farm & Home Center, which sells construction materials, farm equipment, and lawn care items, is further up the road. Residents head to the Food Lion, 2 miles from Moneta, for groceries.
Students attend Bedford County schools
Bedford County Public Schools, which gets a B from Niche, serves the area. Children may attend Moneta Elementary, which also gets a B. Students continue to Staunton River Middle, which gets a B-minus and Staunton River High, which gets a C. The high school offers a career coach to assist students in defining their after-graduation plans and goals.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
