A Return to Campers Paradise

Jack’s Place at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia - Photos by SG Media Group

This week, I had the opportunity to photograph a property that holds a special place in my family's history. What began as another photography assignment quickly became a walk down memory lane and a reminder of how powerful places can be in preserving our memories.

The property was Campers Paradise, a name that many longtime Smith Mountain Lake residents will recognize. Today, it has evolved into something much larger than the small marina I remember from my childhood, but for me, it will always be the place where I spent one unforgettable summer.

Around 1970, my father, Marvin L. Tuck, purchased Campers Paradise. I don't know all the details of how the purchase came about. In fact, after photographing the property this week, I spent some time at both the Bedford County Courthouse and the Bedford Museum trying to piece together the story. While we found a few clues, there are still gaps in the timeline and some questions that may never be fully answered.

What I do know is what I remember.

Back then, Campers Paradise was a simple little marina tucked away on Smith Mountain Lake. It sold gas, bait, snacks, and all the necessities for a day on the water. There were a handful of campsites, a beach area where families gathered, and several mobile homes that were rented to vacationers looking to enjoy a week at the lake.

My dad's vision was for my mother and the kids to help run the marina for the summer. Looking back, I'm not entirely sure how much help I actually was. I suspect I spent far more time in the water than working behind the counter.

One of my favorite memories was the paddle boat. We spent countless hours paddling around the cove, swimming, fishing, and enjoying what was then a much quieter Smith Mountain Lake. It was a simpler time. The lake was still young, and many of the landmarks we know today had not yet taken shape.

Not long afterward, the Tease family purchased the marina and transformed it into one of Smith Mountain Lake's most recognizable destinations. Over the decades, the property continued to grow and evolve, just as the lake itself grew into the vibrant community we know today.

While researching Campers Paradise this week, I stumbled across something that brought an unexpected smile to my face. On an old Facebook page associated with the marina, I found several photographs of fishermen proudly displaying their catches. Campers Paradise had apparently been known for displaying photos of successful anglers, and among those photos were several of my dad holding impressive striped bass he had caught on the lake decades ago.

Marvin Tuck displaying his trophy fish at Camper’s Paradise.

Seeing those images instantly transported me back to that summer. The bait shop. The beach. The paddle boat. The laughter of kids spending long days on the water. The excitement of a fisherman returning to the dock with a trophy catch.

Today, the property continues to be a destination for lake visitors, though in a very different form than the one I remember. One of the centerpiece businesses on the property is Jake's Place, an established Smith Mountain Lake waterfront restaurant and bar that has built a strong local following since opening in 2012. Located just over a mile from Hales Ford Bridge in the commercial heart of Smith Mountain Lake, Jake's Place welcomes guests arriving by both car and boat. The property features outdoor waterfront seating, a dog-friendly atmosphere, 77 parking spaces, and 20 boat slips. In addition to the restaurant and bar, the property includes a gift shop and attracts visitors from throughout the region, including Roanoke, Northern Virginia, Raleigh, and Charlotte.

As I photographed the property, it was fascinating to see how a simple marina and campground had evolved into a thriving waterfront destination while still occupying the same shoreline that holds so many memories for me.

Today, Jake's Place and the surrounding property are being offered for sale by Katrina Byrd and Erik Olson of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PREMIER, REALTORS®. For the next owners, it represents an incredible business opportunity. For me, it represents something more personal—a connection to my family's past and a reminder of how much Smith Mountain Lake has changed over the years.

The buildings may have changed. The marina may have expanded. The lake may be busier than it was more than fifty years ago. But memories have a way of preserving places exactly as we remember them.

For me, Campers Paradise will always be more than a marina. It is a connection to my family, to my father, and to a summer that helped shape some of my fondest childhood memories.

As a photographer, I spend my days capturing places for others. This week, I was reminded that sometimes a place captures a piece of us as well.

And whenever I visit Campers Paradise, I find myself right back in the summer of 1971.