4 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Riverside County

Lake Evans is a manmade recreational lake in Kern County, California. It is the smaller of two lakes in the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area southwest of Bakersfield. The lake is primarily a sailing and fishing lake, with a speed limit of 5 miles per hour. It has two boat ramps. The lake is located on the lakebed of the former Buena Vista Lake.

Lake Mathews is a large reservoir in Riverside County, California, located in the Cajalco Canyon in the foothills of the Temescal Mountains. The reservoir is fenced and closed to all public access. The lake is near the Riverside community of Lake Hills, and is skirted by Cajalco Road on the south, El Sobrante Road on the north and east, and La Sierra Avenue on the west. La Sierra Avenue traverses the top of the west dike.

Lake Norconian is an artificial lake in Norco. It was created in the early 1920s as part of the Norconian Resort. This 60-acre lake was equipped with a boat house and pavilion. It was the site where a few 1930s movies were filmed.The lake and resort were acquired by the US Navy in 1941; the area is operated as Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona, part of the Naval Surface Warfare Center.

The Santa Ana River Trail is a 12-foot wide path following the Santa Ana River, a waterway that is cement-lined through much of Orange County but free flowing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. When completed, it will be the longest multi-use trail in Southern California, at approximately 100 mile. In 1989, the Los Angeles Times described the path as "a veritable freeway for bicycles".