Facility Overview

Silverwood Lake Lot 5 is an open-air surface parking facility situated within the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), tucked along the northern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains just south of Hesperia, California. Formed by the Cedar Springs Dam along the East Branch of the California State Water Project, this scenic reservoir sits at an elevation of 3,380 feet. Lot 5 provides direct paved parking access tailored for day visitors aiming to enjoy the park\'s lakefront areas, beach access points, and shoreline recreation zones. Because the lot is an entirely uncovered outdoor lot, there are no overhead clearance or height restrictions, making it suitable for standard passenger vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, passenger vans, and vehicles equipped with rooftop cargo boxes, kayak racks, or bike carriers.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as a prime entry point to outdoor recreation in the Inland Empire and High Desert regions, Lot 5 places visitors moments away from essential Silverwood Lake attractions:

• Silverwood Lake Day-Use & Beach Areas: Steps away from calm swimming beaches, grassy picnic knolls, and sheltered picnic ramadas along the southern and eastern coves.
• Silverwood Marina & Boat Launch: Located a short drive along the shore, offering boat launch ramps, boat rentals, a marina store, and watersports services.
• Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): Portions of the legendary PCT skirt the perimeter and ridges above Silverwood Lake, providing world-class hiking within immediate walking distance.
• Cleghorn Point & Serrano Beach: Popular designated fishing and swim spots situated nearby along the lake loop paths.
• San Bernardino National Forest: Surrounding woodlands that offer panoramic mountain overlooks, wildlife viewing (including bald eagles in winter), and four-wheel-drive trails.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular access to Silverwood Lake Lot 5 is primarily via California State Route 138 (SR-138) and Sawpit Canyon Road. Motorists arriving from the north (Hesperia, Victorville, and the High Desert) travel south on Arrowhead Lake Road or Highway 173, while visitors from Southern California and the Inland Empire access the park via Interstate 15 at Cajon Pass to Highway 138, or north from San Bernardino via Highway 18. Upon passing through the park entrance kiosk, internal paved park roads provide clearly marked signage directing traffic toward Lot 5 and adjoining shores. Public mass transit is not available directly to the reservoir; private personal vehicles, carpools, or ride-hailing services are the standard modes of arrival. Exiting the park during peak summer holiday weekends can experience brief queues at the main exit artery onto Highway 138.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Paving: Clearly striped, asphalt-paved vehicle bays accommodate cars, light trucks, and recreational day-trippers.
• Open Sky Clearance: No overhead deck barriers, accommodating lifted off-road trucks, tall SUVs, and rooftop sports equipment.
• Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA-compliant parking stalls close to paved trail paths and picnic tables.
• On-Site Restroom Facilities: Flush toilets and running water stations located adjacent to the parking area.
• Picnic Infrastructure: Lakeside picnic tables, charcoal barbecue grills, and trash/recycling receptacles bordering the lot.
• Ranger Patrols: Monitored regularly by California State Parks peace officer rangers and recreation staff.

Ideal For

• Day Swimmers & Picnickers: Families and groups planning full-day outings along Silverwood Lake\'s designated shoreline beaches.
• Anglers: Fishermen pursuing striped bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, and catfish in nearby coves.
• Trail Hikers & Trail Runners: Trekkers looking for quick trail access connecting into the Pacific Crest Trail and reservoir ridge routes.
• Watersport Spectators: Visitors supporting wakeboarders, kayakers, and paddleboarders launching across the lake.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Park Entry Fee: Day-use entry requires a standard California State Parks vehicle pass (typically $10 per vehicle per day), payable at the entrance kiosk or via automated pay machines when unstaffed.
• Summer Capacity Closures: On hot summer weekends and major holidays (Memorial Day through Labor Day), park parking facilities often reach maximum capacity by 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM; arrive early to avoid park closure turnarounds.
• Cashless Convenience: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at the kiosk, but having exact cash ready can expedite entry during busy morning rushes.
• Pack Out What You Pack In: Help preserve the lake habitat by using park dumpsters and wildlife-resistant receptacles, especially in windy high-desert conditions.
• GPS Guidance: Set navigation directly to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area or Sawpit Canyon Road to avoid dead-end fire roads across the surrounding national forest.