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Nestled in the heart of Southern California, Lake Perris State Recreation Area offers an oasis of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From the crystal-clear waters of the lake to the scenic mountain backdrop, Lake Perris is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, hikers, campers, and nature lovers alike.

Basic Park Info 

  • Lake Perris is located at 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris CA, 92571.
  • All watercraft are subject to a Quagga Mussel Inspection. Learn more about how to prepare your vessel on our boating page.
  • Watercraft without running lights must be off the water by sunset year-round. Boating hours are 6 AM - 7:30 PM during the summer season and 7 AM - 6 PM in the winter. The last Quagga Mussel Seal is at 8 PM in the summer season and 7 PM in the winter season. View our operating hours on the park’s home page for summer/winter season dates.
  • In the summertime, the park goes into closure to all vehicle traffic when the lake is at boat capacity, 400 vessels, or when all the parking areas are full. All vehicles must wait in line for park entry. No priority can be given to pass holders or to reservations. Plan your trip accordingly by visiting the Summer Visitation page.
  • Dogs are allowed within the park. Dogs must remain on a leash and are prohibited from being on the beach or in the water. Dogs are allowed on boats and other vessels, however, they are not allowed in the water.
  • All anglers must possess a valid California Fishing License in order to fish. Fish limits and regulations are available on our Fishing Page.
  • Campers can not check in earlier than 2pm the day of their reservation. Check out is at 12pm. 3 license plates( including trailer license plates) are allowed to a campsite. One vehicle and one trailer is covered under a reservation. Additional vehicles are $10 per night or $20 per night during peak season pricing (Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day Weekend). Learn more on our camping page.
  • The park features a marina store with various food options, recreational gear, and camping necessities. Watercraft rentals are also available at the Lake Perris Marina. For more info, visit our concessionaires website at recoutsocal.com.
  • Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings in the campgrounds. Open ground fires are strictly prohibited.
  • Day use parking is $10 per vehicle. During peak season (Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), Day Use is $20.
  • Boat Launch fees are $10 per vessel year round.

Activities

  • Swimming: Lake Perris offers two swim beaches (Perris Beach, between parking lots 1 and 4, and Moreno Beach, between parking lots 7 and 10.). These swim beaches are marked off with buoys and are manned by lifeguards.
  • Boating: One of the most popular activities within the park is boating! Lake Perris has multiple launch ramps for motorized vessels between parking lots 5 and 6. At Sail Cove, non-powered vessels (such as kayaks and paddle boards), can launch from the sand. The lake also offers beach-in areas on Alessandro Island with isolated canopies and restrooms for boaters.
  • Fishing: Lake Perris is known for excellent largemouth bass fishing. The lake also has catfish, crappie, carp, and trophy-sized bluegill. All anglers must possess a California Fishing License. View our Recreation Page for information about take limits.
  • Camping: Lake Perris has 431 campsites, 167 non-hookup sites and 264 paved hook-up sites. All hook-up sites offer power and water hookups. The campground also features a dump station. The park also has seven equestrian campsites with two horses per stall. To reserve a campsite, visit reservecalifornia.com.
  • Ya'i Heki Regional Indian Museum: The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum at Lake Perris is a museum dedicated to showcasing and preserving the history, culture, and traditions of the Native American tribes of the Inland Empire region. The Museum is open Fridays from 10 AM to 2 PM and Saturday/Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Learn more on the museum page.
  • Hiking, Bicycling, and Horseback Riding: The park’s nine-mile equestrian, hiking, and bicycling trail circles the lake. Another hiking trail ascends to the top of Terri Peak. Seven equestrian campsites are also available for reservation.
  • Rock Climbing: Big Rock is open year round. It provides climbing opportunities for beginning and intermediate climbers, with challenges for advanced climbers.Bring plenty of drinking water. Climb at your own risk— California State Parks does not install nor maintain the fixtures or equipment at Big Rock
  • Picnicking: There are multiple parking areas in the park, each with vast access to picnic benches, canopies, and grassy areas great for a small family picnic or large celebration..

Images of Lake Perris

 

Rules and Regulations

  • Alcohol - Alcoholic beverage consumption is PROHIBITED in all Day-Use Areas of the park. Violators are subject to citation and possible ejection from the park. (CCR T14 4326).
  • Inflatable Rafts - Non-U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices such as inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks are prohibited.
  • Drones - The use of powered unmanned aircraft, drones, or other remote controlled aerial devices is prohibited within the park's boundaries.
  • Campfires - Campfires are only permitted in the campground in park-provided fire rings. Open ground fires are not permitted.
  • Motorized vehicles - Motorized vehicles driven in the park (e.g., cars, motorbikes, miniature motorcycles, and golf carts) must be registered with the DMV and have a street-legal license plate. All vehicles must obey posted speed limits. the speed limit in the campgrounds is 15 mph.
  • Vending/Concessions - The vending and selling of items, food, or services within park boundaries is prohibited without a permit or contract with the State.
  • Dogs - Dogs are permitted on all trails but must be on leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the water. Dogs are not allowed on Alessandro Island.
  • Fishing - Anglers must possess a California State Fishing License inorder to fish at Lake Perris. Fishing is prohibited in any designated swim area and from any launch ramp, courtesy dock, or from a boat moored to the courtesy doc.
  • Day Use Parking - Parking is allowed in designated spaces only. No double parking is allowed and vehicles may not park in pull-through spaces at the launch ramps unless pulling a trailer. Please keep vehicles on the pavement at all times. Driving off-road is prohibited except for the launching of sail and hand-powered watercraft. Vehicles must display disabled plates/placards when parking in disabled spaces. Vehicles displaying disabled plates/placards may park on the beach at Sail Cove.
  • Hunting- Hunting is only allowed in the designated upland hunt zone. The designated Lake Perris hunting area is Lake Perris Designated Upland Hunting Map Only shotguns may be used in these designated areas; shooting in other areas of the park is prohibited. All hunters must park in hunter's lot and sign-in. Shooting hours are from 6:00 a.m. until sunset. Only three rounds permitted in a shotgun at one time (Must have plug). Valid California State Hunting License is required at all times. An Upland game stamp is required for dove, pheasant and quail. Lake Perris upland hunting follows the same season that CA Department of Fish and Wildlife publlishes.
  • Boating - Lake Perris Boating Rules are as follows:
    • A California Boating Card is required for anyone under the age of 61 to operate a boat in California's waters, which includes Silverwood Lake, Lake Perris, and all other inland waterways as well. Learn more at http://californiaboatercard.com/
    • No vessel shall launch that has not been inspected for dreissenid mussels or have a properly attached inspection re-entry seal.
    • No vessel shall attempt to launch which has failed inspection and/or is subject to a dry-out period.
    • No person shall tamper with an inspection seal
    • Vessel operators must follow all CCR-Title14 and applicable Boating Laws, Lake Perris Posted Orders, Harbors & Navigation Laws and Federal Inland Navigation Rules.
    • Direction of travel is counterclockwise (except vessels under sail, kayak, or canoes).
    • Maximum speed limit on the lake is 35 MPH.
    • 5 mph zones are non-directional. 5 mph zones are from shore line to buoys and on the east end (island side) of the lake, due to hidden hazards and shallow water in that portion of the lake.
    • 5 mph max speed and running lights are required during restricted visibility, before sunrise, and after dark.
    • Vessels are not allowed within 50 feet of posted swim areas.
    • Free style/Trick riding is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to: 360’s, 180’s, submarining, jumping boat wakes within 100 feet of a vessel.
    • All persons, except water-skiers (etc.), must be in the passenger compartment while vessel is under way.
    • BOW, GUNWHALE OR TRANSOM RIDING IS PROHIBITED!
    • Dogs are not allowed on the beach, in the water or on the island. Dogs are allowed on vessels but not in the water.
    • Shoreline refueling is Prohibited, Refuel in parking lots - Protect our water and our beaches.
    • ALCOHOL possession and consumption is allowed from your vessel only. You may not bring alcohol on shore in day use areas. Alcohol is also permitted in your registered campsite.
    • Boating Under the Influence (BUI) will be subject to arrest and booking into County Jail.
    • Boaters are required to know and follow all California State boating laws, even if not listed above.

 

A full list of the park's posted orders is available here: LAKE PERRIS POSTED ORDERS