Camping areas near Perris, California range from 1,400 to 5,300 feet in elevation, offering varied climate conditions throughout the year. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in lower elevations while winter brings occasional snow to higher campgrounds like Lake Hemet. Most camping facilities maintain year-round operations with adjusted seasonal amenities and varying levels of crowding depending on season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Skinner Recreation Area stocks their lake regularly, though additional fees apply. "The lake does have fish, so if you're a fisherman you're going to love this campground," notes one camper. Fishing licenses plus daily lake permits required.
Water recreation: The splash pad at Launch Pointe Recreation Destination provides cooling options during hot months. A visitor mentioned, "We spent Spring break here with the family. Amenities are very good for young kids. Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool."
Hiking trails: Multiple paths available throughout the region's campgrounds with varying difficulty levels. At Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, "There are a number of hiking trails around that range from a 1 to 12 miles. On Saturdays there's a nature walk." The park maintains interpretive programs and ranger-guided nature walks year-round.
Mini golf and games: Family recreation options extend beyond water activities. "We enjoyed the pool, watching the ducks in the pond, and the kids loved the basketball court," reports one Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes visitor. Their mini golf course receives specific praise as "probably our favorite TT mini golf so far."
What campers like
Lake views: Lake Hemet Campground offers premium sites with mountain scenery. "Highly recommend the premium hook up sites, great views of the lake even though the water level was low. Site is clean and fellow campers were polite. Every campsite had a fire pit which was nice," shares a satisfied visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "There are lots of little animals hanging out (rabbits, birds, chipmunks). Those chipmunks will definitely go for your stuff if you don't pack it away," warns a Caspers Wilderness visitor. Bald eagle sightings reported at Lake Hemet enhance wildlife viewing potential.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and showers receive frequent positive comments. "Free showers, and good bathrooms," notes a Lake Hemet camper. Another camper at Lake Skinner stated, "The park is beautifully landscaped with trees and lush grass. We had a great time exploring the lake and hiking, well worth visiting."
Evening atmosphere: Night programming at certain locations adds to the camping experience. "They also have a band on Saturday nights," mentions a Launch Pointe visitor. Fountain lights at Reflection Lake provide evening ambiance with illuminated water features after dark.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects certain locations. At Cherry Valley Lakes, "The thing I didn't like about it was that it's right next to the freeway so it was loud... which doesn't bother me during the day but was distracting at night when trying to sleep." Similarly, Lake Skinner campers mention hearing road noise from nearby highways.
Reservation systems: Different booking procedures exist across parks. One camper notes about Caspers Wilderness Park, "Part of OC Parks so getting a campsite is relatively easy compared to other online booking systems like ReserveAmerica. We're usually able to book a site 2 weeks before we decide to go."
Wildlife challenges: Animal interactions require preparation. "The Geese in the park are a hoot! It Appears the park is VERY residential now a days," reports a Wilderness Lakes visitor. Another camper mentioned, "My biggest complaint with this resort is the geese, which apparently are always there, are loud and their poop is everywhere."
Internet access: Connectivity varies substantially between locations. "The WiFi situation is horrendously bad, especially after about 9:20 pm. Apparently that is when their metering software kicks in," reports a Reflection Lake visitor. Cell coverage similarly fluctuates with location and carrier.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Launch Pointe Recreation provides water features particularly suited for children. "Great campground for families. We used the campground as a base camp to spend time in LA and San Diego as well as a day in Joshua Tree National Park. 1-2 hours from everything."
Activity planning: Organized events enhance family experiences. "We enjoyed the pool, watching the ducks in the pond, and the kids loved the basketball court. Some parts closed on certain days- store, jacuzzi, community room," notes a Wilderness Lakes visitor, emphasizing the importance of checking facility schedules.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly. According to a Launch Pointe camper, "The only bad part is they strictly enforce quiet time at 10pm. I felt like a kid being told to go to bed." This enforcement helps maintain family-friendly atmosphere but may limit evening activities.
Bike-friendly options: Flat terrain at certain locations suits younger riders. "It's family friendly, great flat biking for kids, large dirt area used for parking during the Balloon and Wine festival that kids can play on and ride bikes in," shares a Lake Skinner visitor.
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity: Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort experiences limitations with power hookups. "They don't have enough 50amp sites and not all of them are always working. This park is first come/first served and they don't prohibit a 30amp rig from taking a 50amp site," explains one RVer. Arrive early for preferred sites.
Site selection strategy: Location within campgrounds affects experience quality. "Most of the sites don't have shade (I'm not telling my favorite site number 😁), and they are sort of close together," shares a Lake Skinner camper, highlighting the importance of strategic site selection for comfort.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require planning for water systems. "Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night," advises a Lake Hemet visitor about winter camping.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies across campgrounds with implications for setup. A Lake Hemet visitor notes, "Most sites are not level even for a tent," requiring leveling blocks or equipment for comfortable RV placement.
