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Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Silverwood Lake offers a serene escape across 3,300 acres. With boating, fishing, hiking trails, and scenic picnicking spots, it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Modern amenities like the nature center and marina ensure a comfortable stay in nature's embrace. Discover the tranquility and beauty of Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area today.

Basic Park Info 

  • Silverwood is located at 13990 Sawpit Canyon Rd, Hesperia, CA, 92345.
  • All watercraft are subject to a Quagga Mussel Inspection. Learn more about how to prepare your vessel on our boating page.
  • Boats must be off the water by sunset. The last quagga mussel re-entry seal for vessels is the time posted on the kiosk the day of your visit.
  • Parking is limited in the summertime. The park may reach full parking capacity as early as 9am on busy weeks. Plan your trip accordingly by signing the Summer Visitation page.
  • Dogs are allowed within the park. Dogs must remain on a leash and are prohibited from being on the beach or in the water.
  • All anglers must possess a valid California Fishing License in order to fish. Fish limits and regulations are available on our Fishing Page.
  • Campers can not check in earlier than 2pm the day of their reservation. Check out is at 12pm.
  • The park features a marina store with various snacks, fishing gear, boating supplies, and camping necessities. They also sell fishing licenses and rent out various watercraft. For more info, visit the Silverwood Lake Marina Website.
  • Other than campsites, day use picnic areas and canopies are first come first serve. You may not reserve a canopy ahead of time.
  • Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings, however, they are subject to sudden restrictions during dry weather. Fire restrictions will be posted on our website or social media pages.
  • Day use parking is $10 per vehicle. During peak season (Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), day use is $20.
  • Boat Launch fees are $10 per vessel year round.

Activities

  • Swimming: Silverwood lake offers two swim beaches (Sawpit Beach and Cleghorn Beach). These swim beaches are marked off with buoys and are manned by lifeguards.
  • Boating: One of the most popular activities within the park is boating! Silverwood Lake has one launch ramp with multiple launching lanes. The lake also offers the beach-in areas with isolated canopies and restrooms for boaters. The Marina store also sells gas (subject to availability), for quick refueling.
  • Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity year round with the most popular fish being Striped-Mouth Bass, Catfish, and Trout. The lake receives several trout stocks between late December and early May. Learn more on our Fishing Page.
  • Camping: Silverwood Lake has over 136 campsites and 6 group campsites. Our New Mesa Campground offers full power, water, and sewage hookups. To reserve a campsite, visit reservecalifornia.com.
  • Nature Center: The Nature Center is located to the left of the park's entry kiosks down Cleghorn road. It hosts a variety of educational opportunities such as history of the lake, information about wildlife, and showcases artifacts from the area’s native past. The Nature Center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm during the winter season and Thursday-Sunday during peak season from 10am to 4pm.
  • Hiking & Biking: The park offers over 13+ miles of trails along with access to the Pacific Crest Trail. For information about trails within the park, visit the Trails Page.
  • Picnicking: There are multiple parking areas in the park, each with vast access to picnic benches, canopies, and grassy areas great for a small family picnic or large celebration.

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Rules and Regulations

  • Alcohol - Alcoholic beverage consumption is PROHIBITED in all Day-Use Areas of the park. Violators are subject to citation and possible ejection from the park. (CCR T14 4326).
  • Inflatable Rafts - Inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks are prohibited. *Does not pertain to kayaks, inflatable boats, paddle boards or float tubes outside the swim area.
  • Drones - The use of powered unmanned aircraft, drones, or other remote controlled aerial devices is prohibited within the park's boundaries.
  • Campfires & BBQs - Campfires are allowed in the campground in park-provided fire rings. Use of charcoal is allowed in park-provided grills in the campground and designated picnic areas. Portable charcoal barbeques, ground fires, or other portable wood-burning fire pits or devices are not permitted due to potential fire danger. Use of personal propane gas grills, stoves, lanterns, and heaters are allowed.
  • Camping - A maximum of three vehicles (including towed vehicle) are and 8 persons are allowed to occupy a family campsite. onsecutive occupancy limits for all campgrounds at Silverwood Lake SRA are as follows: April 1 – September 30: 14 consecutive nights, October 1 – March 31: 30 consecutive nights.
  • Scuba Diving - Scuba Diving is prohibited at Silverwood Lake SRA.
  • Dogs - Dogs are permitted on all trails but must be on leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the water.
  • Fishing - Anglers must possess a California State Fishing License inorder to fish at Silverwood Lake. Fishing is prohibited in any designated swim area, from a vessel within the area designated as the marina, and from any launch ramp, courtesy dock, or from a boat moored to the courtesy doc.
  • Day Use Parking - Vehicles parked within the park must remain on the pavement at all times. Parking off-road and within a designated campsite is prohibited. Parking in the Sawpit Boat Lot is restricted to vehicles displaying proof of payment of State Park Boat Fees when posted. Vehicles parking outside the park are restricted from parking along off/on-ramps and in emergency parking zones.
  • Hunting- Hunting is prohibited at Silverwood Lake SRA; possession of firearms, bows and arrows, slingshots, or other weapons is prohibited.
  • Boating - Silverwood Boating Rules are as follows:
    • A California Boating Card is required for anyone under the age of 61 to operate a boat in California's waters, which includes Silverwood Lake, Lake Perris, and all other inland waterways as well. Learn more at http://californiaboatercard.com/
    • No vessel shall launch that has not been inspected for dreissenid mussels or have a properly attached inspection re-entry seal.
    • No vessel shall attempt to launch which has failed inspection and/or is subject to a dry-out period.
    • No person shall tamper with an inspection seal
    • The maximum speed on the lake is 35mph
    • 5mph is the maximum speed within buoy lines, before sunrise or after sunset, during restricted visibility
    • Water skiing, wake boarding, inflatables and all other towable aqua planes may only be towed behind a vessel in the open zone at the north end of the lake. No towing in the channel.
    • All vessels must travel in a counterclockwise direction in the open zone at the north end of the lake
    • No vessels shall enter buoyed swim areas
    • Submersible vessels are not allowed
    • Vessels shall not operate if the lake has met maximum capacity.
    • Vessels with less than 6 inches of freeboard may not operate in gale warning conditions (wind 39mph +)
    • No vessel shall operate in full gale wind conditions (55mph +)

A full list of the park's posted orders is available here: SILVERWOOD LAKE POSTED ORDERS