Victorville city feature
About this landmark
A desert oasis owned and operated by the county
Mojave Narrows Regional Park has a Victorville, California mailing address (18000 Yates Road), but it is owned and operated by San Bernardino County Regional Parks—not the City of Victorville. The park totals 886 acres. It is one of the few places where the normally-subterranean Mojave River surfaces above ground, creating an oasis of lakes, sloughs, and green pastures in the desert. The park contains a 50-acre fishing lake with two named bodies of water: Horseshoe Lake and Pelican Lake.
The land's history before becoming a county park
San Bernardino County purchased the land in the late 1960s. Before becoming a county park, the property operated as North Verde Ranch and later as Kemper Campbell Ranch. The county developed it into a regional park that would preserve the unique ecological environment where the Mojave River flows above ground.
The park has become central to the county's conservation and recreation efforts in the region. Its location on the Mojave River makes it an important habitat for native species and a gathering place for visitors seeking outdoor recreation in the high desert.
Recreation and wildlife at the park today
The park offers diverse recreational facilities and activities. Camping accommodates 38 RV sites with full hookups, 31 tent sites, 6 group sites, and 3 equestrian group sites. The park features an 18-hole disc golf course, horseback-riding trails, a playground, a splash pad, and 6 picnic shelters. Fishing is available year-round: trout November through April, and catfish May through September. The park is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed only on Christmas Day.
The park supports abundant wildlife. The county's park page describes more than 1,500 species of watchable wildlife, while more than 250 bird species have been recorded at the park, up from 125 species observed 50 years earlier. Day-use fees are $10 weekdays, $15 weekends, and $20 holidays for vehicles; $3 per pedestrian; annual passes are $80 for a single park or $125 for multiple parks. The Mojave Riverwalk connects park to college, extending 3.9 miles as a Class I bike and pedestrian path that links county facilities to Victorville's trail network, providing access and recreation opportunities.
Insurance connection: Flood risk in low-lying areas
Mojave Narrows Regional Park's location along the Mojave River highlights the importance of flood insurance in California. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage through National Flood Insurance Program, established by Congress in 1968 and administered by FEMA, protects property owners. New policies typically take effect 30 days after purchase, except immediate coverage applies for federally-regulated closings in high-risk zones. California's FAIR Plan excludes storm damage unless supplemental coverage is purchased separately. The California Department of Insurance directs consumers to FEMA. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: The San Bernardino County park page, the encyclopedia entry, and county news release confirm these details.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.