Facility Overview

Silverwood Lake Lot 2 is a dedicated open-air day-use surface parking lot situated on the southern shore of Silverwood Lake within the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (SRA). Nestled in the scenic foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains just south of Hesperia and north of the Inland Empire, this paved lot provides straightforward parking for park visitors, day hikers, anglers, and water sports enthusiasts. Because it is an open-air surface facility, there are no overhead clearance or vertical height barriers, allowing seamless accommodation for standard passenger sedans, compact crossovers, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and rooftop gear racks carrying kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Designated spaces and turning aisles are spacious, allowing drivers to maneuver easily even during high-traffic recreational weekends.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned near the active southern shore of Silverwood Lake, Lot 2 offers direct walking access to key lakefront amenities and recreational trailheads:

• Silverwood Lake Marina & Boat Launch: Located just moments away, giving boaters and watercraft operators swift access to launching ramps, seasonal boat rentals, and the lake general store.
• South Shore Swim Beach & Day-Use Picnic Grounds: A brief 2 to 5-minute walk from the lot leads to sheltered picnic tables, group barbecue stations, and designated swimming zones along the calm bays.
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT): The world-renowned PCT winds directly along the ridge lines and shorelines of Silverwood Lake, with access points reachable within a short walk or quick hike from Lot 2.
• Cleghorn Point & Sawpit Canyon: Dramatic lake overlooks, scenic viewing decks, and wildlife watching locations are situated within a short distance along the lake perimeter.
• Silverwood Lake Nature Center: Located within the park complex, featuring regional historical exhibits and interpretive displays about local wildlife and the California State Water Project.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Silverwood Lake Lot 2 is accessed via Sawpit Canyon Road directly off California State Route 138 (SR-138). Drivers traveling from the Victor Valley and Hesperia can reach the lot via Interstate 15 south to SR-138 East, or from the Inland Empire and San Bernardino via Interstate 15 North through the Cajon Pass or via Highway 18 through Crestline. Directional park signage clearly guides visitors past the entrance fee kiosk directly to Lot 2 and adjacent day-use areas. Because of its rural mountainous location inside a state recreation area, public transit options are extremely limited, making private vehicles, carpools, or rideshares the recommended transportation choices. Exiting during peak summer holidays may see brief queues at the park exit, but traffic flows smoothly back onto SR-138.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Paved open-air surface stalls with marked boundary lines.
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating high-clearance 4x4s, trucks, and roof-racked vehicles.
• ADA-accessible parking bays conveniently positioned near paved walkways and rest facilities.
• On-site public restrooms, trash bins, and hot-coal disposal bins within convenient walking distance.
• Picnic shelters, shade trees, and barbecue grills nearby.
• Park ranger patrols and California State Parks staff monitoring the grounds.
• Vehicle entrance passes accepted via California State Parks day-use permits and California Explorer/Golden Poppy vehicle passes.

Ideal For

• Boaters, jet ski operators, and kayakers launching from the nearby South Shore boat ramps.
• Anglers targeting striped bass, trout, and catfish along the sheltered lake coves.
• Hikers and trail runners accessing the Pacific Crest Trail and local lakeside footpaths.
• Families and groups planning daytime barbecues, lake swims, and weekend outings.
• Nature photographers and birdwatchers observing regional bald eagles and waterfowl.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The day-use fee is standard California State Parks vehicle pricing (typically $10 per vehicle per day), payable at the Sawpit Canyon entrance kiosk upon arrival. On warm summer weekends and major holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day), parking lots at Silverwood Lake frequently reach maximum capacity before midday, prompting park rangers to implement temporary closures. Visitors are strongly advised to arrive before 9:00 AM on summer Saturdays and Sundays to guarantee entry and secure a spot in Lot 2. Keep in mind that cell phone service can be intermittent in deeper canyons, so download digital park maps and fishing regulations ahead of time.