Wildlife such as California mule deer, gray foxes, coyotes, cottontail and brush rabbits, jackrabbits, western gray and ground squirrels, ringtailed cats, skunks, chipmunks and wood rats thrive here. Mountain lions, black bears, bobcats and occasional golden beavers may be sighted along the Mojave River. In winter bald eagles are occasionally seen gliding silently above the lake, fishing for their next meal. Water-oriented birds include great blue herons, snowy egrets, avocets, western grebes, loons, Canada geese, mergansers and several varieties of ducks. Around Sawpit Canyon, birds of prey include redtailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, ospreys and roadrunners. This is also home to Clark’s nutcrackers, Steller’s and scrub jays, rock wrens and mountain bluebirds.

Silverwood Lake habitats include ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir and black oak. Along the shore chamise, live oak, manzanita, ceanothus and mountain mahogany grow. Alders, willows and sycamores are found along streams.