Lake Perris State Recreation Area

We arrived on President's Day weekend after a huge rainstorm hit Southern California, without reservations. This is a huge campground and there were plenty of open sites for us to choose from.

We stayed in the tent area, much more spread out then in the full hookup area (power and water), where the sites are right next to each other, parking lot style. Not all sites in the tent area were level for parking, many can accomadate large RVs. All sites had paved driveways with cement paths leading to a large circular cemented area with a picnic table.

Hiking and biking areas from the campground. Big boat launch, big beach and swimming areas, many picnic areas. This place is huge! The docks at the marina definitely need some repair. We assume this would be a very heavily used area in the summer.

Overall the park is a bit tired, but we will be back to do more exploring of this huge area.

Its a tuesday so no one is here after memorial day the place has litter everywhere.
Theres plenty of state park ordenances and a sign warning you of california drought right below the plumbing that leaks about 5 gallons every 20 seconds... its reclaimed water btw... I just thought it was weird because 2 of the 3 were leaking an increadible amount. So are they telling us we should save water im not sure perhaps hiring a plumber and a cleanup crew with the California state seasonal camping fees would be a good idea.
The good part is the place was empty so no state employees bothered us and that was nice.
Update: Government Employees pulled up in some vehicle you paid for with your taxes and attempted to interact with me in a seeminlly friendly way. Perhaps if they are going to ask campers if they are going to register they should not issue pieces of cardboard with ordenences written all over them... with a convienient mirror hanger on them.. Perhaps using the 30 usd would be better spent on one employee to hike around and check the mirrors. Sell the vehicle to clean up the garbage dump that exists here.. further once again I dont come camping to interact with my government so they can sell things to me that are mine to begin with. Like air and dry wood and rocks and dirt. It seems people go camping to have freedom from that. I will not return. And stop issuing paper cardboad ordenances made from trees if you cant open your eyes to check for them random government overpaid employee person. I hope this review helps.

Fees: $45 a night plus $7.99 online reservation fee. Site 161. Water and electricity.

This is a large park along the shores of Lake Perris reservoir. The reservoir allows motor boating and jet skis. There is a large beach for swimming with lifeguard stands. I suspect that during the summer months this place is packed. The campground is laid out like a large parking lot with 4 sites side by side in a section which is divided from the next section by a little green space. There other sets of sites directly across the roadway from your site. Each site has a worn concrete pad and a very worn picnic table and fire pit. We were here on a late April and early May weekday so the campground was largely empty and quiet. I would not want to be here at a busier time. You’d be able to shake your neighbors had from your camper.

The bathrooms were basically clean but very worn out. They were cleaned every day and the staff does well with what they’re given, but based on the fee, the state needs to upgrade the facilities. Cell service was spotty at best.

It is a very nice location, however. The reservoir is large and provides habitat for lots of wildlife including a great variety of birds. There are very nice trees around the park, many of which were unfamiliar to us. There is a native museum, but it is only open on Fridays and weekends. There are walking trails, and of course lots of water activities available including rentals at the marina. There is a nice hiking and biking trail that goes completely around the reservoir and once one leaves the main park area, the scenery turns to more native vegetation. There are lots of swallows, ravens, vultures and hawks to watch, as well as a variety of water fowl. We were told that there was a nesting eagle on the far side of the reservoir, but we never saw it.

This is a nice place to camp on the off-season.

We booked a tent site. It was slightly sloped up in the back, but we fit a van and an SUV in the space. Extra vehicle fee (more than one) is $10 Per Night. Some tent sites are not level as they aren't meant for RV's, so I'd check first. Trash bins and water spigots are sprinkled about for convenience. It got a little windy two days while we were there, so I suggest staking down tents and bringing in your awning. Weekdays were pretty quiet. It really cleared out as the December CA lockdown commenced. Hot showers close by, dump station & fresh water near the check-in booth. If you are camping, you shouldn't need to pay the kiosk at the front gate. Only improvement suggestion: I wish there was a trail from the campground to the lakeside trail. I had to walk down by the check-in booth, down the side of the road, and cross the street with no crosswalk to get to it. I looked and saw no other access. You can, however, drive to the day-use area to access the trail. Overall, we definitely plan to stay again.

Lake Perris, according to their website, only accepts 31’ trailers and motor homes. Campendium says “Big Rigs OK.” Thirty-one feet is not my idea of a big rig. I wanted that noted here because I almost booked a reservation for our 38’ motorhome, but luckily reviewed the Lake Perris site first. I gave Lake Perris 4 stars because I didn’t want to hurt their rating when the issue is with Campendium.

Spent New Years weekend! Spacing was terrible, way too crowded! Could’ve opened more pods, but chose to herd everyone!! Terrible!

I stayed here for a week, wanted to stay more since it is low season and not so much people staying but I would’ve had to get out for 2 days after 14 days, that didn’t work for me. Very clean, big spaces but tight to back in if it’s high season, close to nice restaurants and outlets. The only downside is no sewer, but since I was there for a week we did fine and then they have a dump station with automatic service for a fee and you dump and go. ;)

This campsite is desperate for a facelift. One shower block had tepid showers, in the other they either dribbled or ripped your skin off. All the facilities show wear, and a lack of care. It's a fabulous location and site in need of good management. This close to LA with this many camp slots it must be a money spinner, time to spend some serious cash on bringing it up to standard. The hookup was for grey water only, their dump costing an extra $10. Another negative. There's two free dumps nearby btw. After a 6 week tour of Utah, California, and Arizona this was the biggest disappointment. We've been on better value BLM sites