Camping near Perris covers a range of options, from tent sites and cabin rentals to RV hookups with electric, centered around Lake Perris State Recreational Area approximately 65 miles east of Los Angeles. Campgrounds in the area include locations like Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground and Palm View RV Park, with additional options at nearby recreation areas such as Lake Skinner Recreation Area and Launch Pointe Recreation Destination for water-based activities combined with overnight stays.
Developed campgrounds throughout the region typically offer amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and restrooms, with many sites providing electric hookups for RVs. Summer temperatures frequently reach into the 90s, making shade trees a valuable commodity at campsites. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during peak summer months when lakeside locations attract visitors seeking water recreation. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with milder temperatures in spring and fall providing more comfortable camping conditions. One camper noted, "Temperatures reached low 90s but there was always a nice breeze. Find a site with good trees."
Camping near Perris varies significantly across the area's developed campgrounds. Lake Perris State Recreational Area offers fishing, swimming, hiking trails and boat rentals, making it popular despite sometimes crowded conditions on weekends. Several campgrounds feature full hookups for RVs alongside tent camping areas, creating diverse camping environments. Visitors frequently mention the clean facilities and generous site sizes, though some campgrounds can become noisy during peak periods. According to one reviewer, "Friday/Saturday is a heck of a party... held strong until 2:30am." For quieter experiences, campers recommend weekday visits when campgrounds are less crowded. The multiple recreation areas with swimming access provide family-friendly destinations during summer months, though sites with shade trees tend to book quickly.
$25 - $300 / night
"It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more! "
"Good experience at lake perris we had our travel trailer plugged in with electrical and water, grey tank empty only on site."
"In the back of a small town 2 miles behind a stater brother's. Most sites are near level on gravel and close together. Laundry uses quarters or a third party app to pay."
"I had a reservation at Wilderness Lakes, and I was a day early, so they let me in! Off to a good start! Full hook-ups, laundry and showers about 50 yards away, no matter which way you go."
$25 - $45 / night
"This is a great family campground right around the corner from Temecula, Murrietta, and Menifee."
"The charge $10 per person per day to fish in their Lake. And you can’t swim or let the kids play in the lake because it’s a reservoir."
$55 - $140 / night
"Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool. The boat launch is very near by too but we had no use for that."
"I had site 126 in the fields, corner site and lake view. This campground has a pool, splash pad, park, dog park and access to the lake. They also have a band on Saturday nights."
$20 / night
"We were able to find a spot tucked away off one of the loops to the left after a small hill. Neighbors played loud music but we didn’t mind at all."
"clean restrooms and sites. large campground with paved roads was nice for strolling through. pretty far off the beaten path above lake elsinore. the views near by were fantastic. the staff was fairly friendly"
$40 - $55 / night
"Nice level grounds to walk around. Lakeside has gravel roads / pads... other side has asphalt roads / concrete pads. Restrooms are clean and acceptable."
"The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."
"Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."
"Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"
$20 / night
"It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds. Free dump station. "
"Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers. It says to bring quarters for the showers but they were free. Each site is typical..."
$15 / night
"The campground was right off the highway, cost affective ($15/night), and there were no reservations needed. There were 24 sites tucked in the woods. A few water faucets & bathrooms throughout."
"Albeit it’s just off the road and Ortega highway is fairly busy at all hours of the night, so road noise was a little annoying but not bad. Self pay was easy and quick."
$25 - $35 / night
ScoutSpots so close & noisy with cars/trucks/rvs coming & going often so close to your spot. Not relaxing AT ALL. Plus, nothing much to do. Thought be hiking but no. Just rv park in a city surrounded by trees, wasn’t what I was hoping for. Won’t return.
ScoutGreat spots along this whole road. Busy on weekends though.
GuideIt was easy to find and access based on information on The Dyrt posted by other users. Great for train enthusiasts. Lots of traffic noise from the highway. We even encountered a rare black coyote. Unfortunately I didn’t have the mental presence to snap a picture but it came right up to the trailer. I don’t believe in feeding wildlife but probably others had. Unfortunately there was lots of trash left behind by previous campers or local partiers. I plan to use this location regularly as a launching off point for destinations in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Very convenient location, there are also convenience stores, a McDonalds, and very expensive gasoline nearby.
ScoutNot very secluded, tight spaces, but very mellow campground, great staff, I really enjoyed it.
GuideEasy access in my 19ft Winnebago, real quiet at night, secluded spot. The only trash I picked up was toilet paper left in a bush. People please burn your toilet paper in the dang fire pit before you leave!!
LegendLooks like this was a great spor at one time. Someone got lazy. Grass not cut. Weeds taking over. Beautiful trees and views. Sprinklers broken right in front of the office door flooding the sidewalk. Dog run leaking Sprinklers leaves a mud puddle. Looks like about 3/4 are living there. Site 21 very unlevel.
LegendBe careful there is snakes and spiders everywhere but gorgeous sunsets
TravelerSilverwood Lake Campground offers a range of site experiences depending on where you stay. Some campsites are fairly close together and don’t offer much privacy, while others are more tucked away and feel noticeably more secluded. That said, the sites with better privacy can come with a tradeoff: there may not be enough room to comfortably pitch a tent right next to the car, which could be inconvenient if you like keeping your setup compact and organized. Overall, the campground seems best for campers who are flexible about site layout and are willing to choose between privacy and convenience. If having space to park and set up camp side by side is important, some of the more open sites may work better, even if they are less private.
TravelerCute and nice spot has all amenities has playground pool fishing spot quiet clean and staff are friendly
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping options at Lake Perris?
Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground offers excellent camping opportunities with diverse amenities. The campground features sites near the lake with swimming areas, bike paths, hiking trails, and a camp store that provides boat rentals. For those seeking alternatives near Perris, Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park provides drive-in access with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Lake Perris can get crowded on weekends and holidays with a lively atmosphere, so weekday visits are recommended for a quieter experience. The campground also offers educational opportunities with an on-site museum featuring local history and Native American exhibits.
Is RV camping available at Lake Perris and what are the facilities?
Yes, RV camping is available at Lake Perris with good facilities. The campground offers sites with electrical and water hookups for travel trailers and RVs. There are no sewer connections directly at the sites, but dump stations are available near the park exit. For those seeking a more luxurious RV experience near Perris, Pala Casino Spa Resort offers upscale RV accommodations. Rancho Jurupa RV Park is another nearby option with reservable sites that are big-rig friendly with full hookups. Lake Perris campground has varying site sizes that can accommodate medium to large RVs, though it can get crowded during peak times with limited privacy between sites.
Can you camp at Lake Perris with beach or lake access?
Yes, camping with beach and lake access is available at Lake Perris. Visitors can enjoy multiple water activities as the campground is situated right next to the lake with designated swimming areas. The lake offers clear water for swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. For those seeking alternative beach camping experiences in Southern California, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground provides beachfront camping with concrete/asphalt sites featuring water and electric hookups. The campground is steps away from great sand beaches adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway. Serrano is another option where you can camp just a few steps away from the water, offering an immersive lake experience.
What is the campground map layout at Lake Perris?
Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground features a layout with multiple camping loops and numbered sites. The campground is situated adjacent to the lake, with some loops offering more direct lake views and access than others. Sites are numbered (examples include 203-220, 283-317, and 293), allowing for specific reservations. The layout includes sites with varying levels of shade and privacy, though many are exposed to the sun. Lake Skinner Recreation Area offers a similar layout with multiple access options including boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in sites. The Lake Perris campground layout includes designated areas for RVs with hookups, centralized facilities like restrooms, and convenient access to the lake's recreational areas including swimming beaches and boat launches.
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