Situated within the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, Mesa Campground is family friendly and an ideal spot to setup camp for visitors hoping to explore the San Bernardino National Forest. Those who stay in the area for a couple of days won’t want to miss the Deep Creek Hot Springs or Lake Gregory Regional Park. The campground has 136 campsites, each of which are complete with a fire ring, a table, and a barbeque. Shower facilities and bathrooms are within walking distance of each of the campsites. There are also larger group sites which have their own bathrooms and can comfortably hold 120 people.
The Mesa Campground sits between Highway 138 and Silverwood Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts the campground and winds past the Cleghorn Day Use Area. Each year hundreds of people embark on the 2,650 mile thru-hike, and many of them pass through the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. There are also 13 miles of trails which are ideal for hikers and bikers. Other popular outdoor activities include boating, swimming, waterskiing, and fishing. Between January and March, visitors can take a tour on a barge from which they will be able to observe the bald eagles that make a home in this area. Power boats are forbidden in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the lake, which allows swimmers to safely navigate the water.
The lake was named after conservationist W.E. Silverwood (known as “Ted”), who dedicated his life to conserving water and soil. He lived with his wife Connie on a ranch in the area for 25 years. The same year that they bought the ranch, Silverwood was instrumental in the formation of the Yucaipa Valley Soil Conservation District, which still exists to this day, although it is now called the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District. He also supported the State Water Project, which provides southern California with both power and water.
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