How to find a vacation rental and ask to stay

Vacation Rentals lists cabins, lake houses and RV sites that owners rent out around Smith Lake. You pick dates on the listing’s calendar and send a request to stay. The host decides; nothing is charged on Smith Lake NOW, and if the host approves you finish booking and payment with them directly.

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Step by step

Step 1: Open Vacation Rentals. Use the search box, the quick links for Lakefront, Private Dock, Cabins and Pet Friendly, or the lake area list.
Step 2: Open a rental to see photos, details and rates.
Step 3: Look at the Availability calendar. Available and unavailable nights are shown up to 12 months ahead, and a note appears when there is a minimum stay.
Step 4: In the “Ask to stay” form, click your check-in day and then your check-out day, and choose the number of guests.
Step 5: If you are signed in, add an optional message. If you are not, enter your name and email (phone optional) and complete the check; we email you one link to confirm it is you.
Step 6: Choose “Send request”. The page confirms that the request was sent. Nothing is charged and the host has not yet confirmed anything.
Step 7: Track it under “Your stay requests”. Statuses are Waiting for the host, Approved by the host, Declined, Withdrawn and Expired. You can withdraw a request.
Step 8: If the host approves, they tell you how to book and pay through their own booking or payment provider. An approval is not a confirmed stay until you finish that step.
Step 9: If the host is not taking requests, the page says so and you can message the host with a question.

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Questions people ask

Can I book and pay on Smith Lake NOW?

No. Ask to stay is a request only. Booking and payment are completed with the host through their own provider.

Do I need an account to send a request?

No. Visitors confirm their email through a link that expires after 24 hours, and the host sees the request only after that.

How long does the host have to answer?

Requests the host does not answer end after 7 days by default, and you can send a new one.

Why can I not select some dates?

Those nights are unavailable or fall below the minimum stay. Choose different dates. Requests can be for up to 90 nights.

Does the calendar show bookings made elsewhere?

Hosts can connect their booking calendars. If a calendar has not refreshed recently, the page warns that availability may be out of date and to check with the host.

Host tools for rentals

Manage requests, availability calendars and guest guides for your rental.

Open Host toolsHow it works

Boat and watercraft rentals

Rent a pontoon, ski boat or other watercraft from local owners and marinas.

Browse watercraftHow it works

Homes and land for sale

Browse homes, cabins, condos and land around Smith Lake, from owners and realtors.

Browse propertiesHow it works

Private messages

Message a member or a seller directly, with photos, without sharing your email address.

Open MessagesHow it works

Last updated November 9, 2026. Still stuck? Visit the Help Center or contact us. Back to all of Discover.