The Long Way
San Bernardino County
A white egret stands in shallow water with its reflection visible.
Plate I. Egret at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
An SUV is parked at a park entrance booth on a sunny day.
Plate II. Entrance booth, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
A large motorhome parked in a wooded area with informational text below.
Plate III. RV campsite, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
A scenic view of a body of water with hills and mountains under a blue sky with clouds.
Plate IV. Mountain views at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
A scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains at sunset.
Plate V. Scenic view, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
A wide view of a lake and dark silhouetted mountains during twilight.
Plate VI. Lake view, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
A scenic view of a body of water with autumn-colored trees along the shore.
Plate VII. Shoreline view, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov
Two ducks swimming in the water.
Plate VIII. Mallards swimming, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. From parks.ca.gov

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Hesperia, San Bernardino County, California. State Recreation Area.

Details

Map. Hesperia, San Bernardino County, California. Larger map
Where
13990 Sawpit Canyon Rd, Hesperia, CA 13990. Directions
When
April 1 - September 30: 6 AM - 9 PM daily. October 1 - March 31: 7 AM - 7 PM daily. All vessels must be trailered by sunset. Nature Center Hours: Fri., Sat., Sun. 10am-4pm.
Getting there
The park is located off of Highway 138 and Cleghorn Road, 11 miles east of I-15 heading east; or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138.
Fees
Vehicle Day Use (Regular): $10.00. Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate: $20.00. Senior: $9.00. Bus Large: $60.00. Bus Small: $30.00. Boat Launch: $10 per vessel.
Access
HAB: Cleghorn Beach Warning; Sawpit and remainder of lake Caution. Silver Fire: New Mesa Campground sites 96-114 closed, tentatively reopening 10/7/26. Dogs not allowed on beach or in water; golden mussel exit inspections only.
Phone
(760) 389-2281
Website
parks.ca.gov
Managed by
California State Parks.

High in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest and formed by Cedar Springs Dam, the highest reservoir in the State Water Project offers views of snow-capped mountain peaks and features hiking trails, swimming beaches and designated areas for boating, waterskiing and fishing.

Notable Events

  1. 1910By 1910 the Serrano population had declined to approximately 90-150 people; today some Serrano descendants live on or near the San Manuel and Morongo Reservations. silverwoodlakesra.org
  2. 1961In 1961 the state informed the people of Cedar Springs that the would have to move because a dam was to be built encompassing the valley. It would be part of the California Water Project. silverwoodlakesra.org
  3. 1967Construction of the dam began in 1967. silverwoodlakesra.org
  4. 1972On January 21st, 1972, the first Northern California water spilled into Silverwood Lake. silverwoodlakesra.org

People

  • W.E. "Ted" Silverwood, Riverside County resident who worked unceasingly for water and soil conservation; the lake's namesake.

Sources

  1. parks.ca.gov/silverwoodlake
  2. silverwoodlakesra.org/about-silverwood-lake-sra
  3. watereducation.org/aquapedia/silverwood-lake
  4. water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Silverwood-Lake-Recreation