Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Silverwood Lake is a State Water Project reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 976 acres of water inside Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area near Hesperia. The State Park and a concession operator run the recreation side.

Layout

The marina and main launch ramp are at the south end, to the right of the entrance station. State Water Resources describes the seven-lane ramp as the only launch for gas-powered boats on the lake. The Cleghorn car-top ramp, west of the main ramp, is for non-motorized craft only. The north end of the lake is the open zone, where water skiing is allowed with a 35 mph limit. The south end and the northern coves (Chamise, Baranca, Sycamore and Rio Valle) are 5 mph zones, and the marina is no-wake.

What makes boating here different

The lake is capped at 125 watercraft at one time, all boats must be off the water at sunset, and the main lake runs counter-clockwise. Towing and skiing are limited to the north zone, tow lines can't exceed 90 feet, and freestyle or wake-jumping is prohibited. A courtesy dock at the ramp is for short loading and unloading only.

Mussels

Silverwood is linked by water transfers to Lake Perris and Diamond Valley Lake. State Parks' boating page currently says incoming inspections were discontinued because golden mussels have been found in the lake, and asks boaters to pull drain plugs before leaving. Other park pages still describe inspection seals, so check before you go.