🏆🏆🏆 San Bernardino Mountains Lake — 976-acre lake at 3,350 feet with full recreation in the San Bernardino Mountains
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area surrounds a 976-acre reservoir at 3,350 feet elevation in the San Bernardino Mountains northeast of Los Angeles. The lake is a key link in the California State Water Project (SWP) and offers swimming, fishing (largemouth bass, trout, catfish), boating, and hiking with views of the surrounding forested mountains. The park includes a marina, swim beach, and campgrounds shaded by Jeffrey pines.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Hesperia, CA (San Bernardino Mountains) |
| Lake | 976 acres at 3,350 feet elevation |
| Entry Fee | $10 per vehicle |
| Fishing | Bass, trout, catfish |
| Facilities | Marina, swim beach, campground |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the lake warm enough for swimming?
Yes! Summer water temperatures reach 70-75°F. The designated swim beach at Sawpit has lifeguards during summer. The 3,350-foot elevation makes it 10-15 degrees cooler than the desert floor below.
What is the State Water Project?
The California State Water Project is the largest state-built water conveyance system in the US — moving water 444 miles from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Southern California. The system includes 34 storage facilities, 20 pumping plants, and 701 miles of canals. Pumping water over the Tehachapi Mountains consumes 2-3% of California’s total electricity.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Wildwood Canyon State Park is within about an hour’s drive, and San Timoteo Canyon is within about an hour’s drive.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for California state parks online at reservecalifornia.com.
🏊 Visit Silverwood Lake SRA
Mountain lake at 3,350 feet — swimming, bass fishing, and pine-shaded camping.
About Silverwood Lake
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is a high-desert reservoir at 3,350 feet elevation in the San Bernardino Mountains — a cool escape from the scorching Inland Empire summers below. The 1,000-acre lake is the largest body of water in the San Bernardino National Forest and offers some of the best bass fishing in Southern California.
Things to Do
Swimming at the sandy beach, fishing for bass, trout, catfish, and bluegill, waterskiing and wakeboarding, kayaking, and camping (136 sites). The 13-mile Pacific Crest Trail segment passes through the park. Bald eagles winter at the lake November-March.
Insider Tips
Mountain lake: Silverwood Lake sits at 3,378 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains — a major reservoir on the California State Water Project. Pro tip: The lake is part of the most ambitious water system ever built — water travels 444 miles from Northern California, over the Tehachapi Mountains (pumped uphill 2,000 feet), and into Southern California. Bald eagles: A pair of bald eagles nests at Silverwood — viewable from the nature trail.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Green mountains and wildflowers. Summer: Swimming, boating, and fishing. Fall: Warm days and colorful foliage. Winter: Bald eagle watching and quiet fishing.
Wildlife & Nature
Silverwood Lake SRA — 2,350-acre reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains at 3,350 feet — provides swimming, boating, and fishing in a mountain setting surrounded by Jeffrey pines and oaks. The lake — part of the California State Water Project — stores water pumped from Northern California. Bald eagles winter at the lake (December-March). Osprey dive for trout. Western grebes perform synchronized “rushing” dances.
Nearby Attractions
Lake Arrowhead — 15 miles east — has the mountain resort community. Big Bear Lake — 20 miles east — has skiing and mountain biking. Cajon Pass — below the dam — has the Mormon Trail history and the famous railroad pass. Deep Creek Hot Springs — 10 miles east — has natural hot pools on the PCT.
