Lake Perris—it’s more than a lake!
Located between Riverside and the San Jacinto Valley (Hemet/San Jacinto), about 50 miles from the Coachella Valley, the Lake Perris State Recreation Area is an 8,800-acre park that offers camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming, horseback riding (with a horse camp), rock climbing, paved bicycling/walking paths, birding and, of course, trails. To get there, take Interstate 10 west to Highway 60 west, and exit at Moreno Beach Drive. Turn left (south) on Moreno Beach Drive and follow the signs (or your GPS) to Lake Perris State Recreation Area, at 17801 Lake Perris Drive, in Perris.
The area is quite popular and can become crowded, especially during weekends and holidays, so it’s best to go early to beat the heat and the crowd. Summer hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (through Nov. 2), and winter hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (Nov. 3 through March 9). Vehicle day-use passes are $10 on weekdays, and $20 on holidays and weekends from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Annual passes can be purchased at the California State Park Passes website. There’s no fee if you enter on foot or by bicycle, and prices are subject to change without notice or during peak demand.
My first introduction to the Lake Perris area was in the spring of 2021. I was there to camp—but as soon as I noticed the trails surrounding the lake, I had to check them out. I learned during that short stay that Lake Perris is a great place to camp, hike, picnic and just hang out, and I’ve been back numerous times.
Here are the three most popular trails around and near the lake. (Be sure to pick up a trail map on your way into the park!)
• Lake Perris Loop Trail is a gentle, mostly flat mix of dirt and paved paths that circles the entire lake. It’s mostly used by bicyclists and walkers. This trail has some shaded rest stops along the eastern side of the park, according to AllTrails. It is an easy and peaceful trail to walk, hike or bike, and you can make it as short as you’d like by doing an out-and-back versus the entire loop, which is 9 miles, with only about 400 feet in elevation gain. I believe AllTrails has it listed as “moderate” because of the length of the loop.
• Terri Peak Loop Trail is a moderate-to-strenuous hike that’s basically a “boulder wonderland.” You will pass many unique rock formations along the short, steep climb and reach 2,569 feet, the highest point in the park accessible by trail. After reaching the peak, you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding mountains. This trail is 4.8 miles with an elevation gain of 987 feet and typically takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete, according to AllTrails.
• The Lake Perris Northside Loop is a moderate 7.8 mile hike with more than 1,160 feet in elevation gain; it takes around 3 1/2 to 4 hours to complete, as stated on AllTrails. While the trail offers picturesque views of the lake, it has steep hills that can be slippery and challenging. It has a five-star trail rating on AllTrails, and although it is listed as moderate, this trail can be quite a challenge. In fact, it is part of the SoCal Spartan Trifecta event scheduled for Jan. 23 and 24, 2027. If you’re a trail runner, and you’re interested in the event, you may want to start training now.
In the center of Lake Perris is Alessandro Island. I would call it a hidden gem—but you can’t miss it. It’s a natural, rocky, undeveloped area that’s only accessible by boat, paddle board or kayak. If you’re looking for solitude, it offers a tranquil escape! It has restroom facilities, shaded picnic tables and grills for day use, and there is a short walking path around the island.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area sits on land with deep Native American history. It is home of the Ya’i Heki’ (pronounced ya-hee eh-key) Regional Indian Museum dedicated to highlighting and preserving the history, culture and traditions of the Native American tribes of the Inland Empire. “Ya’i Heki’” translates to “Home of the Wind” in the language of the Cahuilla people, one of the Indigenous groups whose heritage is displayed in the museum. The museum is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can find Indigenous artifacts at Lake Perris if you know where to look. There are petroglyphs on boulders along the hillside behind the museum, and in the Bernasconi area—but look closely, because they are easy to miss.
If you’re feeling adventurous, on the southeastern side of the lake, you can hike to the historical Pictograph Rock from Bernasconi Hills trails. It’s three miles out-and-back, but the catch is getting to it: It’s only accessible via the Bernasconi Road entrance from Ramona Expressway. This is probably the most peaceful and most scenic part of the park.
Dogs on leash are welcome in the park, but are not allowed in the water, at beach areas, at Allesandro Island or on any unpaved trails. For park rules, hiking safety tips and more detailed information, visit the Lake Perris State Recreation Area website.
As always, be safe and respectful of the heritage and any wildlife you may encounter. Tall trees shade the picnic and camping areas, and that helps cool things down during the hot summer months—but there is little to no shade on the trails, and temps can approach or surpass 100 degrees in July and August. Bring plenty of water (a minimum of one quart per two hours), snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat. Dress accordingly for the activities you plan to do. Bring a buddy and a map, and always tell someone where you’re going. Stay in the middle of the trail, and watch your step—snakes are out and about.
