by Cheri Schilling
Picture This: An outdoor playground is beckoning you to come out and play.
Its glistening gentle waters are calling you and the trees entice you with
the rustling fingers of their canopies as they cool the rays of the sun.
Nature seduces you to surround yourself in her beauty.
Can you smell the sweet fragrance of her flora?
She serenades you with the songs of her children and the lapping of her waves on the sandy beach shore.
It's hard to imagine all of this is just minutes away from your front door.
Lake Perris is a playground for adventure, relaxation,
fun in the sun and under the stars! People come from miles away to enjoy its offerings of escape.
As many of you know, Lake Perris is undergoing a renovation to the dam.
The lake and recreation areas will not be closed or unavailable for recreation during the retrofitting of the dam.
The lake is only being drained down a maximum of 20% so there will still be plenty of water in the lake; however,
there will be a few less boats permitted on the lake and access ramp #14 for personal watercraft will be
temporarily unusable until the work on the dam is completed. Following the improvements to the dam,
the marina, bait shop and restaurant will go through a renovation with new docks and improvements.
Here are some of the many getaway activities that are available at the lake.
For a nominal fee of $8 per vehicle, you can flee the stresses and noise of the city and play too!
Have a boat or personal watercraft? A small fee of $8 will have your toy in play for the day.
Don't own a toy and want to play on one? Rentals are available at the marina.
Share the fun with a busload of friends and family.
For a nominal fee of $30 for a 10 - 24 passenger bus or $60 for a 25 + passenger bus, a group can play for a day.
Fishing? 16 yrs or older a fishing license is required and must be visible to the rangers to see at all times.
Hunting is seasonal. A hunter must have a current hunting license and only shotguns are permitted.
Hike or take a leisurely walk, it has the best ambience around with a choice of a well-kept,
paved path around the lake or for the more adventurous nature lover, there are hiking trails to explore.
Beauty and amenities, what could be better!
If you or a loved one are limited physically or in a wheelchair, Lake Perris is a definite "thumbs up" place for your recreational fun and needs!
Brides-to-be... always dreamed of an outdoor wedding? This is your place!
The abundance of shade trees and a magnificent backdrop will provide the lifetime memories that girls dream of.
Bosses, are you planning a company picnic? Lake Perris can accommodate you too!
Artist, photographers and poets, Lake Perris has a diverse palette of colors, shapes and textures just waiting to inspire you.
Looking for a place to meditate, pray or just soak in the wonders of nature? Solitude, stillness and serenity are here for you too.
Planning a get-together or family reunion, this is your place to spread out and have fun!
Churches, how about an old fashion outdoor baptism followed up with a fellowship and a BBQ.
It's a great place to bring youth groups with lots of space to even chase those elusive "Snipes"!
Miss those wienie roasts or making smores over an open fire pit at the beach? Lake Perris has that covered.
Lake Perris, a man made lake that was built in the 1970's.
Its location was chosen because of the natural bowl that it sits in and its importance as a wildlife corridor (ensuring wildlife diversity and survival).
Lake Perris is a natural habitat for a few endangered species of flora and fauna,
endangered due to the loss of habitat from housing growth surrounding the lake.
Many species of wildlife depend on the lake and its 8,000 acres,
which join up to the 12,000 acres of the San Jacinto Wildlife Reserve to the east.
Bobcats, osprey, golden eagles, deer and even the occasional and sadly,
fast disappearing mountain lion depend on Lake Perris.
This past winter the lake was home for its first wintering Bald Eagle!
The state of California through a 1960's deal with the water districts made it
possible for our reservoirs to be more than just a holding tank,
but a recreational site for all to enjoy in exchange for state assisted funding.
Yes folks, that is your drinking water! The water is brought in from Northern California's Lake Orville
southward to Lake Perris via the American and Sacramento rivers and the aqueducts.
Eastern Municipal Water District and state officials have stressed that the water has gone through a through processing before it reaches your homes.
There are three entrances to Lake Perris. The first two are better known as the Moreno and Perris entrances.
The lesser-known entrance is accessible from Ramona Expressway off Bernasconi.
The Bernasconi entrance will take you to the southeastern side of the lake.
This side of the lake offers picnic and B-B-Q facilities and a quiet area to fish in,
meditate, pray or just quietly soaking in the natural beauty away from those frolicking in the water.
You can also reach it by boat or personal watercraft.
Lake Perris offers many year round activities. Along with swimming, you can enjoy fishing,
boating, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and B-B-Q's,
Lake Perris offers camping (both tenting and RV) and picnicking for a family,
as well as, group picnic and camping, equestrian camping (for nominal fees) and riding trails.
There is hiking and biking on a well cared for path that completely encircles the lake
(a small potion of the path is natural on the east side; the rest of the trail is paved).
Hunting is offered in the upper lands area of the lake from October through December for rabbit and quail (shotguns only and must have a hunting license) in the east corridor.
On Saturday's young ones can participate in Junior Park Ranger training (free)
and campfire night (all ages are welcome to both). In the summer,
there is a Junior Lifeguard program offered.
There is even a museum containing Indian artifacts from the ancient Cahuilla and Serrano tribes who once used the area.
The museum can be toured by appointment only due to budgetary cuts.
The museum is available for group tours, school groups, etc. at no extra fee.
Park Superintendent, Ron Krueper, has been working hard to procure the funds to make Lake Perris
an even more enjoyable experience for everyone, with a special thought in mind for those with special mobility needs.
Krueper shared how a simple thing like cutting out an inner section of a picnic bench or elongating
the tabletop can make a difference allowing a family member to be a part of a picnic or BBQ.
He is very proud of the wheelchair accessible fishing pier that was recently completed and is accessible from Sail Cove.
There is a special ramp in the equestrian camp to make getting on your horse feasible as well.
Campsites, picnic areas and restrooms all meet or exceed ADA accessibility requirements.
There are plans for next year to make the sandy beach area of Perris Beach accessible with a paved
path from parking Lot 1 down to within a few feet of the lakes edge!
Throughout the year, there are various fishing tournaments.
Two such tournaments stood out in importance.
These are geared especially for children.
The first is the Tommy Thomas competition with many prizes and lots of nervous excitement.
Not just for the children but also for parents who must stand by and watch as their child tries landing that "big one"
all by him or herself for the first time without parental help.
This tournament, called "Catch a Special Thrill", is designed to match special needs children with a seasoned bass fisherman.
They take the children out on their boats for the day to teach them how to fish.
For many of these children it is their first time not only learning to fish but also riding in a boat.
It is a toss up as to who gets more out of the day,
the fisherman who donated his time and boat or the child! Both come back with such big smiles!
The children don't go home empty handed.
Each child is given, as a gift,
a tackle box and a fishing pole to start their adventure and to remember their day fishing with their special buddy.
Should you be interested or have questions about this or other programs you can call 951-657-0676.
Camping/Boating Reservations: the State of California has a centralized office: 1-800-444-7275
Lake Perris Hours: Summer: 6am -10pm/Winter hours: 6am to 8pm (Campgrounds are always open).
Lake Perris Survey:
Superintendent Krueper would like to know what you think...
One idea he has been thinking about is a water feature playground for small children,
perhaps one that sprays water when motion is detected or a very shallow water play area with a fountain.
Would you like to have fire rings on the beach? Lake Perris currently has one on the beach in Sail Cove.
Krueper would like your thoughts on these ideas and any other suggestions/ideas you
may have to make Lake Perris even more innovative, enjoyable and memorable.
Mail your suggestions to:
178801 Lake Perris Dr., Perris, CA 92571
Moreno Valley
