Sylvan Lake State Park Wildlife

The park sits entirely within the White River National Forest.  The generally lush understory vegetation of the aspen forest provides habitat for a variety of mammals, including species of voles and shrews, red fox, marmots, mule deer and elk. Black bear, pine marten, coyote, porcupine, cottontail rabbit and beaver are other common inhabitants.

The majority of bird species that occur in the park are those common to montane riparian shrublands and thick conifer/aspen forests, such as broad-tailed hummingbirds and mountain bluebirds. Bald eagles are frequent winter residents to the park, and ospreys and common loons are occasional migratory visitors. The cold-water fishing opportunities for rainbow and brook and brown trout attract many anglers to Sylvan Lake.