About SW RivCo Multi-Species Reserve
With the creation of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve in 1992, the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California helped forge California’s first agreement for multi-species protection. Since the first land acquisitions of the Shipley Reserve and mitigation for Diamond Valley Lake construction subsequent acquisitions by MWD and its conservation partners have resulted in a nearly 14,000-acre reserve. The reserve now surrounds and connects both Diamond Valley Lake and Lake Skinner. Metropolitan committed nearly $14 million for initial management and habitat and species surveys and is committed to provide long-term management funding to ensure that mitigation agreements stay in force. A Reserve Management Committee composed of Metropolitan, the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District, the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife cooperatively manages the reserve.
The reserve is home to many sensitive bird, mammal, and plant species utilizing at least eight types of habitat. Three types of habitat dominate the reserve an interior version of coastal sage scrub known as Riversidean sage scrub, native and non-native grasslands and chaparral. Smaller habitats include coast live oak woodland, sycamore, and cottonwood willow riparian forests. Many notable species include the Stephen’s kangaroo rat, which lives in the reserve’s grasslands and open shrub habitats. The California gnatcatcher, which makes its home in low growing Riversidean sage scrub. The Bell’s sage sparrow which nest in Riversidean sage scrub and chaparral. The San Diego horned lizard and orange throated whiptail found in sage scrub, chaparral and grassland areas. The Payson’s jewelflower and Parry’s spineflower which grow in Riversidean sage scrub. And of course many other species occur on the reserve like mule deer, bobcats, coyote’s and mountain lions.
Location
37701 Warren Road, Winchester, CA 92596
(951) 926-1541
Reserve Hours
Please check in at Lake Skinner Kiosk for trail hours
Reserve Fees
Day Use
$6 per adult
$3 per child
Group Program Costs
$8 per child, teacher, or chaperone ($100 minimum)
General Park Rules
RULES APPLICABLE TO DISTRICT REGIONAL PARKS
The following rules apply to all regional parks in Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space
District. For rules specific to each park, please refer to the corresponding section for each park.
1. All local, state, and federal laws shall be enforced in all District Regional Parks. County of
Riverside Ordinance 328 shall be enforced in all District Regional Parks.
2. The posted speed limit shall be observed.
3. Vehicles must remain on park roads and/or designated parking spaces.
4. Child/youth is defined as age 12 and under, children under the age of 2 are granted free
entry into the parks.
5. All pet fees are per animal. Maximum three (3) dogs/horses total.
6. Service dogs are exempt from the pet fee and the maximum limit of three (3) dogs/horses.
7. Dogs must be controlled and on a leash at all times no longer than six (6) feet in length.
8. Never leave pets unattended. Pets must be kept inside RV or tent overnight.
9. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up waste generated from their pet(s).
10. Hunting and use of firearms is prohibited in the park.
11. Never disturb or attempt to handle wildlife.
12. Fireworks are prohibited.
13. No off-road vehicles allowed. Street legal vehicles only.
14. Remote controlled flying objects, drones, bow and arrows/archery are not permitted unless
authorized in advance by Director or his/her Designee.
15. Do not remove or damage flowers, rocks, plants, animals, artifacts, and other park features.
16. No attaching, tying, nailing, or screwing of items to the trees. Tampering with these items is a
violation of County Ordinance 328.
17. Amplified music is not permitted unless authorized in advance by the District. Small radios are
permitted except during hours 10pm – 6am so long as the noise does not disturb the peace and
quiet of the campground or neighboring sites.
18. Know before you go! Guests are encouraged to check the website or call the park in advance of
their visit to see if there are temporary rules in place (i.e. campfire restrictions, water
conservation and water use restrictions due to statewide drought, etc.)
19. Notify Park Ranger immediately of any emergency, damage, or other problems arise
Species Habitat Ecology
The Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve is home to many sensitive bird, mammal, and plant species utilizing at least eight types of habitat.
Species
Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat
California Gnatcatcher
Bell’s Sage Sparrow
San Diego Horned Lizard
Orange Throated Whiptail Lizard
Mule Deer
Bobcats
Coyotes
Mountain Lions
Habitats
Riversidean Sage Scrub (Interior version of Coastal Sage Scrub)
Native and Non-Native Grasslands
Native and Non-Native Chaparral
Coast Live Oak Woodland
Sycamore
Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forests
Ecological
Payson’s Jewelflower
Parry’s Spineflower
