Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Perris, California · on Perris Reservoir · Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: reservoir
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $10
SEASON: Best in summer

About Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Lake Perris State Recreation Area is a California State Parks unit in Riverside County built around Perris Reservoir, an artificial lake completed in 1973 that serves as the southern terminus of the California State Water Project. For anyone after a lake to swim in, this is a swimming hole with full infrastructure: two official, lifeguarded swim beaches, Moreno Beach and Perris Beach, plus camping, boating, and a Native history museum.

The recreation area sits in the rocky, sparsely vegetated hills between Moreno Valley and Perris in Riverside County, surrounding a 2,250-acre reservoir with a 9-mile paved loop trail used by hikers and cyclists. Alessandro Island sits offshore and is reachable by boat.

Swimming at Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Swimming is concentrated at two managed, sandy beach areas, Moreno Beach (near parking lots 8-10) and Perris Beach (near parking lots 1-4), where lifeguards are on duty in summer and on select fall/spring weekends. Boats are excluded within 50 feet of the posted swim zones. Summer water temperatures run in the high 70s Fahrenheit, and the reservoir reaches a maximum depth of about 85 feet, so it suits swimmers of varied ability who stay within the designated shallower beach areas rather than open-water swimmers.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: Designated paved parking lots serve each beach (lots 1-4 for Perris Beach, 8-10 for Moreno Beach); the park requires parking in marked spaces only, with disabled permit holders able to park at Sail Cove beach.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Both swim beaches are directly adjacent to their paved parking lots (a short walk of a couple minutes across the sand, no trail hike required). A separate 9-mile paved multi-use loop trail circles the reservoir for hikers/cyclists but is not needed to reach either swim beach.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Two designated, lifeguarded sand swim beaches (Moreno Beach and Perris Beach) staffed in summer and on select fall/spring weekends; boats are excluded within 50 feet of the posted swim zones. Reservoir depth increases quickly beyond the beach shelf (max depth ~85 ft), so young kids should stay within the marked shallow swim area rather than swimming out into open water.

Parking

Paid, $10 regular day-use / $9 senior (62+); $20 on weekends and holidays Memorial Day-Labor Day

Paved, numbered parking lots dedicated to each beach (lots 1-4 serve Perris Beach, lots 8-10 serve Moreno Beach); parking is only permitted in marked spaces. Disabled-placard holders may park at Sail Cove beach. Boat launch is an additional $10 per vessel.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms and outdoor showers at both swim beach areas (Perris Beach near lots 1-4, Moreno Beach near lots 8-10); drinking water available; hot showers also at the campground.

Hours

Summer (Mar 10-Nov 2): park open 6am-10pm daily, boating 6am-7:30pm (last launch 5:30pm). Winter (Nov 3-Mar 9): park open 7am-8pm daily, boating 7am-6:30pm (last launch 4:30pm).

Swim smart

The California OEHHA has issued a safe-eating advisory for fish caught in the lake due to elevated mercury and PCBs; 5-mph boating zones exist near the island and shoreline due to hidden hazards and shallow water; the reservoir is also a municipal drinking-water source, which is the stated reason dogs are excluded from the water.

Rules: Dogs are banned from beaches, the water, and Alessandro Island (leashed on trails only); non-Coast-Guard-approved inflatables are prohibited in swim areas; alcohol is banned in day-use areas; drones are prohibited; all launched vessels require dreissenid mussel inspection.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsMotorboatsSailboatsPontoon boat

Restrictions: 35 mph max lake speed; 5 mph zones from shoreline to buoys and on the east end; travel direction is counterclockwise (except sailboats, kayaks, canoes); non-Coast-Guard-approved inflatables prohibited; vessels barred within 50 ft of posted swim beaches; all launched vessels require dreissenid mussel inspection; boat launch is $10/vessel and reservations are recommended for summer weekends/holidays due to limited launch slots.

Launching is only via the on-site marina/launch ramp on the northwest side of the lake; the marina underwent a renovation and reopened under new operator Rec-Out SoCal.

Rentals nearby

Rec-Out SoCal (Lake Perris Marina)

Kayaks, pedal boats, paddleboards, pontoon boats, and fishing boats

On-site marina at Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Perris, CA 92571 · Summer: 6am-7:30pm daily (last launch 5:30pm). Winter: 7am-6:30pm daily (last launch 4:30pm).

Backstory

The dam was built 1970-1973 and the reservoir functions as the southern terminus of the California State Water Project. The on-site Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum interprets the history of the Cahuilla and other regional tribal cultures.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area: FAQ

Does Lake Perris State Recreation Area charge a fee?

Day-use vehicle fee is $10 (regular) or $20 on peak-season weekends/holidays; boat launch is $10 per vessel; camping runs $35-$45/night.

Is Lake Perris State Recreation Area kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Lake Perris State Recreation Area?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Lake Perris State Recreation Area?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Perris State Recreation Area?

Launching is only via the on-site marina/launch ramp on the northwest side of the lake; the marina underwent a renovation and reopened under new operator Rec-Out SoCal.

When is the best time to visit Lake Perris State Recreation Area?

Summer (roughly March 10-November 2 per park hours) when lifeguards staff the beaches and water temperatures reach the high 70s°F; limited lifeguard coverage also occurs on select fall/spring weekends.

What are the rules at Lake Perris State Recreation Area?

Dogs are banned from beaches, the water, and Alessandro Island (leashed on trails only); non-Coast-Guard-approved inflatables are prohibited in swim areas; alcohol is banned in day-use areas; drones are prohibited; all launched vessels require dreissenid mussel inspection.

What water body is Lake Perris State Recreation Area on?

Lake Perris State Recreation Area is on Perris Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.

Conditions right now

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Live data from the National Weather Service and USGS. Conditions at the water can differ, use your judgment.

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Managed by

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Official site · California State Parks

At a glance

Land access: Open to the public
Facilities: restrooms; showers; picnic areas; marina store; camp store; RV and tent campsites; museum
Highlights: Two named, lifeguarded swim beaches (Moreno Beach and Perris Beach); Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum; Alessandro Island accessible by boat; 9-mile paved multi-use loop trail around the reservoir
Nearby towns: Lakeview Hot Springs (2.2mi); Lakeview (2.3mi); March Field (3.0mi); West March (3.9mi)
Coordinates: 33.8686, -117.1766