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Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area - Site # 260
High in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, Silverwood Lake State Recreational Area captures the eye and imagination with vistas of snow-capped mountain peaks reflected on the lake.
Background:	The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the slopes above this popular lake, a tradional winter destination for Canada geese, common mergansers, and other waterfowl. Ospreys and bald eagles also winter here and are visible on guided boat tours. Walk past roosting great blue herons in South Miller Canyon and watch for black bears and bobcats near the East Mojave Rivre's Canyon pools and waterfalls. High-elevation ponderosa pines and incense cedars are inhabited by juncos, mountain chickadees, and Stellar's jays. Acorn woodpeckers, western bludebirds, and California ground squirrels favor the oak woodlands. Areas with chamise and manzanita yield views of quail, California thrashers, coyotes, and golden eagles; western rattlesnakes also like the brush. Evening visitors may see spotted owls, bats, flying squirrels, and elusive ringtails, a nocturnal mammal.
The Habitat:	Montane hardwood(10%) - Montane hardwood is composed of a hardwood tree layer with a poorly developed shrub layer and a sparse herbaceous layer. Snags and down woody debris is usually meager. Tree density varies by site, with closer spacing on healthier sites. Spacing increases on poorer sites. California black oak (Quercus lobata) is the dominant overstory tree. Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) and interior live oak (Q. agrifolia) are present in small numbers in the understory canopy. Common shrub and herb species include holly-leaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), western choke-cherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa), poodle-dog bush (Turricula parryi). Montane hardwood habitats are important for species that utilize mast as a major food source. Montane hardwood habitat occurs in stands within montane-hardwood conifer habitat on the southern shore of Silverwood Lake in the vicinty of the Miller Canyon Mixed hardwood-conifer(30%) - Montane-hardwood conifer forest includes both conifers and hardwoods. This habitat often appears in a mosaic pattern with small pure stands of broad-leaved trees interspersed with small pure stands of conifers. A bilayered canopy is common with conifers forming the upper canopy with hardwoods the lower canopy. Understory can be sparse or considerable depending on local site conditions. Common upper canopy species include Jeffery pine, bigcone douglas fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa), and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) with lower canopy species including California black oak, interior live oak, and California bay (Umbellularia californica). Common shrubs include holly-leaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia), poison oak, poodle-dog bushand western choke-cherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa). Mixed chaparral(50%) - Mixed chaparral is structurally homogeneous brushland dominated by shrubs with thick, stiff, heavy cutinized evergreen leaves. Shrub height and crown cover can vary with age, last burn, and precipitation regime. At maturity, mixed chaparral is typically very dense with greater than 80 percent absolute shrub cover. Mixed chaparral supports approximately 240 species of woody plants. Composition changes between northern and southern California, precipitation regime, aspect, and soils. Common shrub species found in the SLSRA include several species of ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.). Other associated species include chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), poison oak, laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), California buckthorn (Rhamnus californica), yerba santa (Eriodictyon trichocalyx), and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Montane riparian(10%) - Vegetation of the MRI zone is variable and structurally diverse consisting of broad-leaved winter deciduous trees with a sparse understory. At higher elevations MRI is usually less than 15m high with a dense shrub layer. Dominant overstory species include whie alder (Alnus rhombifolia), Fremont's cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Goodding's willow (Salix. gooddingii), arroyo willow (S. lasiolepis), red willow (S. laevigata), sandbar willow (S. exigua) and scattered individuals of western sycamore (Platanus racemosa). In most areas, a dense understory of shrubby willows, mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica holosericea), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) is present.
The Experience:	One of the few lakes in southern California with known populations of wintering bald eagles. In addition, there is a heron rookery located within the park.
Wildlife and Where to Find It:	13 miles of paved hiking and bicycling trails. the Cleghorn Hike and Bike Trail, with vistas of the foothills, is accessible for 0.75 miles. Trailhead, parking, and usable restrooms are at lots #4 and #5. ADA accessible trail around Miller Canyon with known wintering bald eagles.
Viewing Tips:	More than 130 bird species, many mammals. Birds of prey and wading birds are seen year-round. Look for waterfowl in winter, songbirds in early spring. Small mammals are seen from spring through fall. Visitor center. Site is closed during storms. Eagle boat tours for fee, by reservation, January to mid-March. Located on Rim of the World Scenic Byway.
Nearby Viewing Sites:	The San Bernardino National Forest has 5 designated Wilderness Areas; San Gorgonio, Cucamonga, San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and Bighorn Mountain in the vicinity. More than 10 miles away for some of them.
Visitor Information:	San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau - 800-867-8366 - http://www.san-bernardino.org/index.htm
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site:	Yes
Open:	Everday
Hours:	see above
Year Round:	Yes
Seasonal:	April 1 through September 30 park hours are 6:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. October 1 through March 31 park hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Road Information:	Paved.
	Roads available year-round.
	Road Hazards: snow in winter
	Number of Parking Spaces: 0
	Parking Fee: Yes
	Proximity to viewing area:close
	Pull-Through Parking: Yes
	Parking Notes: Numerous parking lots. These lots may fill up on weekends during the summer due to boating, fishing, camping, and swimming at the lake.
How to Get There:	The park is located via Highway 138, 11 miles east of I-15, or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138.
Contact Information
Managing Agency:	California State Parks
Agency Site URL:	www.parks.ca.gov
Physical Address:	14651 Cedar Circle Hesperia, CA 92345	Agency 2:	14651 Cedar Circle Hesperia, CA 92345
Manager Phone:	760-389-2303
Site Phone:	760-389-2303
County:	San Bernardino
Addition Website: