Lake Perris and surrounding areas offer a range of camping experiences within 65-80 miles east of Los Angeles. The region sits at an elevation of about 1,500-2,000 feet, creating a dry desert-like climate with temperature swings between day and night. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter nights can drop into the 40s. Water conservation rules affect campground operations during drought periods.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Perris State Recreation Area: Purchase a daily fishing permit and try for catfish or bass. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it. There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes," notes Lauren R.
Hiking trails from El Cariso: Access the 1.4-mile loop trail behind the visitor center. "Directly behind the visitor center was a 1.4 mile looped trail we took our six year old and dog on around 3:00pm. The trail ended at the Firefight Memorial. Pretty cool," shares a El Cariso Campground visitor.
Water activities at Launch Pointe: Use the boat launch facilities or enjoy the pool and splash pad. "Launch Pointe was a great stay for our family and dog! The campground was clean as can be... our kids loved the playground, we enjoyed taking walks through the park," writes Stephen H. at Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower areas. "The bathrooms are clean and there is a designated area for setting up tents. The only downside is that the staff starts cutting trees at 8 a.m., making a lot of noise," explains Hanjun W. at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground.
Proximity to wineries: Several campgrounds sit near Temecula's wine country for day trips. "Very conscientious to Temecula Wine Country, shopping and Orange County just over the Ortega hey," mentions Betty K. about Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort.
Water features for hot days: Splash pads and swimming areas provide relief during summer heat. "Great park. It may not seem nice when you are passing through town to get in, but once you enter the gates it's beautiful. Large concrete pads, easy backing in and hooking up. Lots of grass, great place to camp in groups," says Paul C. about Rancho Jurupa RV Park.
What you should know
Weekday versus weekend experience: Campgrounds can become crowded and noisy on weekends. "This campground is ok. Everything about it is just mediocre. It's easy to find, and close to Orange County. We enjoyed Ortega Falls which is about a 10 minute drive from the campground, and there are a few other hikes nearby," notes Lindsey B. about Blue Jay Campground.
Noise considerations: Road noise affects campgrounds near highways. "We didn't particularly care for the area, it was not far enough out to feel like in serene nature but still far to drive to anything. Well kept campground, enjoyed the mini golf but weren't too majorly impressed overall."
Algae blooms: Lake conditions vary seasonally and algae can affect water activities. "This is probably the nicest thing in lake elsinore along with the bowling alley. We stayed there for a weekend and had a great time taking the kids to the pool, and slaps pad. The restaurant has great food and cold drinks."
Tips for camping with families
Water park features: Several locations offer splash pads for children during hot months. "Beautiful yucaipa been twice so far are favorite place so peaceful and beautiful a lil bummed lakes were closed but still had a fun week," reports a camper at Yucaipa Regional Park.
Playground access: Look for campsites near play areas for easier supervision. "If you're camping with kids, it doesn't get much better than this! We stayed at campsite #58 which we felt was very large are private. Will definitely come back."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs or historical exhibits. "Lake Perris was a fun and clean place to camp at! We did some fishing, bike riding, the water was clear, and my kids loved it. There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven pads requiring leveling equipment. "The sites are all uneven. Every camper we saw had to do major leveling efforts," notes Brian C.
Hookup limitations: Check specific site utility offerings before booking. "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, so you can see the problem," explains david N. at Lake Skinner Recreation Area.
Internet considerations: WiFi availability varies widely between campgrounds in Perris CA. "Internet was great but it had bandwidth restraints that would turn your internet off after very small amounts of data used. There was no option to upgrade so you had to use your own hotspots."
