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    Lake Hemet

    4.1 (83 reviews)

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    Nickel and diming

    WTF is this? Not only are you guys charging almost double what a regular campsite costs ($70/night) you want me to pay an additional 10$ to "lock in" my site location? You guys are clearly nickel and diming people.

    Lynette S.

    A perfect quick escape for a dose of tranquility. The weather during this visit was nothing short of amazing, clear skies and a gentle breeze, that made sitting by the lake an absolute delight. It wasn't crowded so you were not assaulted by loud voices which allowed you to decompress from the hustle that is life. The fish taunted us by jumping out of the water close enough to see but far enough to escape our line. It was perfect.

    Melissa W.

    Beautiful park in Idyllwild. Came here fishing while we were visiting but my party didn't catch anything. We spent sunrise to about noon and it was nice to be outdoors and enjoy this view. Pay for parking and find a spot. I think you can camp there too. Dogs are allowed which is always a thing for me - just have to be on leash.

    Noah

    Beautiful and clean lake. I've been to this lake multiple times, day and night, and it's always nice. Tons of stars in the night sky when the moon isn't so bright. Clean air, and just a peaceful vibe.

    Anna P.

    We went there for having a picnic and riding a bike. This place is awesome for that kind of activity! Clean restrooms, enough space and shadow. Perfect place for spending time with family!

    On the way to the campground.. magnificent ...
    Charles J.

    Breath taking experience.. I can't wait to visit at sunrise.. it was worth all those slow, careful winding roads..

    Dogs allowed but have to be leashed
    Mike L.

    Pretty nice lake for both hiking around and fishing. My recommendation is to take the trail along the lake towards the dam where you'll find it less windy. Here you will also notice the water is deeper and better for fishing. Parking around the lake requires an adventure pass on your vehicle Clean bathrooms and areas for a bbq and picnic

    Lake Hemet
    Denny V.

    It truly is a beautiful lake. We had a campground overseeing the lake. Great place to make memories with friends and family. The area was kept clean. There are restroom and showers that are free. Camp host named Bill was a nice guy.

    Campfire skewers

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    4 months ago

    Great location for families with kids! Cabins clean and comfortable! Great amenities for the family to enjoy.

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    1 year ago

    Found porta potty dumped in lake with blue chemicals leaking out. do not eat the fish you catch

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    2 years ago

    Beautiful lake with plenty of trails. Great place to fish. Can't wait to go back this summer.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Lake Hemet

    Can you take your own fire wood or dou you have to purchase wood there?

    I called today and was told I can bring my own

    Is there bathrooms and showers near the campsites?

    Are kayaks allowed in lake?

    Yes just recently it has been approved by the water district to allow not only sit on but sit in kayaks, however you will need to be inspected at the lake for quagga free certification.

    What age range counts as a child?

    If this question is directed towards fishing the age is 15 and under.

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - Lake Hemet

    The lake was beautiful, the campgrounds were nice and clean and the camp host Bill was absolutely amazing.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Lake Hemet

    Lake Hemet

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi

    We rented a RV for a couple of days with our family and our dog. Check in and check out was super…read moreeasy. The RV was old but very well maintained and clean. We've interacted with several staff members and all of them were nice, extremely helpful and accommodating. The lake had beautiful views of the mountains and everyone had a great time. During the summer weekends, they have water play for the kids. There is a playground, volleyball and basketball courts and plenty of paved roads to ride bikes or scooters. The RV itself said it accommodates 6 people but personally I think it's good for 3-4 people. If you're very tall, the beds will be cramped for you. Everything you need is provided. Just bring your own food and drinks. There is a market at the entrance to buy some snacks, ice cream and drinks. All in all, we were very pleased with the campground and the great people working there. Highly recommended.

    I rented the eagle crest premium camping cabin from Wednesday until Saturday. There's WiFi, private…read morebathroom, air conditioning, and TVs with the premium cabins. There is a portable Ac in the living room and a window ac in the bedroom. My child slept upstairs in the loft bedroom. The main issue is that you can't run both the portable and bedroom ac at the same time because it pops the breaker. The window ac is very noisy and makes a rattling sound. Don't even try to use the toaster and ac at the same time. It was 90s during the day and still very warm at night. It was an inconvenience not being able to run both AC units at night. They provided towels, toilet paper, soap and pans but no hair dryer. The groceries at the market are extremely expensive. Best to buy all your food at the stater brothers down the mountain to the campsite or go to the grocery store in Idyllwild. I rented the pontoon boat for fishing and that was my favorite part. It was so relaxing to cruise on the lake and enjoy the beautiful Mountain View. We caught a very large cat fish with the night crawlers. I recommend coming in the spring or fall to avoid the extreme heat during the day and bring all your food with you to save money. Come during the week for a more peaceful experience once Friday night hits, lots of families are arriving. Theres cafe in the market that has pretty good food but they have odd hours during the week. Idyllwild is a 15 minute drive with fun quirky shops and good restaurants to explore.

    Photos
    Our campsite from another campground, across the lake
    Our campsite from another campground, across the lake
    Sunset from the shoreline
    Sunset from the shoreline
    Morning visitors

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    Morning visitors
    Little Lake

    Little Lake

    3.4
    (16 reviews)
    13.5 mi

    Love this lake always catching bass, if ppl would stop taking them there would be more to catch…read morecaught a 10.2 last weekend largemouth

    One of the best things about Little Lake is Ernie, the guy who greets you at the pay station and…read moreoccasionally drives around the pond to check if you need any assistance. He's the introduction to the wonderful day you will have at this beautiful pond. Ernie is not bossy or intrusive. He only wants you to have a good time, be safe and enjoy your day. If you ASK him, he'll show you where the baby ducks and water fowl babies are. He clearly treasures them and seeing them can only enhance your visit. I loved my fishing visit to Little Lake. It is so peaceful, so beautiful, so relaxing there. I live in the Pasadena area which is a 4-5 hr.drive round trip. But it's definitely worth the effort. I'm an 84 yr.old fisherwomen and I loved every moment of my 8 hr. fishing experience here. I caught bass and bluegill.Can't get better than that. At one point I was fishing in an area that was not safe for me: too slippery a shoreline, high gravel banks.... Ernie came over and said, "Mama, this is not a good place for you. Let me help you out of there and move your stuff to a safer area." He was right and he did that for me. Thanks,Ernie. I love the easy, friendly conversations between fishing "people," in general, they are never are competitive: "What bait are you using? How deep are you fishing?" This camaraderie was alive and well at Little Lake. This pond is not for anglers who only care about the best and the biggest fish. This oasis is for those of us who just want to experience the best of nature and the best of human interactions.

    Photos
    Two catfish at little lake
    Two catfish at little lake
    Fish
    Fish
    Fish

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    Fish
    Peace On Deep Creek

    Peace On Deep Creek

    3.8
    (5 reviews)
    48.8 mi

    Just went the other day, the road was still open to make it just a very short hike to get to the…read morecool creek and bridge area. IT DEFINITELY IS STILL ILLEGAL TO VISIT UNTIL MAY 21st 2021 at least. The website doesn't say so but several signs out here do and there is no reversal of that order anywhere to be found in the internet. Honestly was a cool place that i can't wait to explore more but I'm thankful it's closed because it's too easy too access which enables non nature people to go easily and trash it and disrespect the area, and not responsibly socially distance. If you aren't a local please don't visit this spot Go explore trails and nature area in your home towns and if there isn't enough than get your voice heard in local city council meetings and demand some more.

    This spot was absolutely perfect for a family hike and some fun splashing about in the river and…read moreswimming holes. It is an extremely simple hike, no rough terrain and clearly marked. We had driven from Arizona for some cooler weather and had the hardest time simply finding a good spot for the kids to play and swim without needing to pay a fortune (We dont have to pay to swim in lakes in Arizona which I didn't know was a novelty??) We rented a cabin by Arrowhead lake and found out AFTER we got there that it is a private lake. We were told by locals that a great family lake was Lake Gregory which was about 20 minutes away. We drove to lake Gregory only to be told by park rangers that we cant swim in the lake unless we go to the designated family beach area and pay $10 per person (adults and children included) to use a small crowded beach area. That particular day I gave in and paid so my children could have some fun outside and in the water. I was determined to continue looking... FINALLY, I searched for rivers, streams and hiking nearby to get some peace and adventure and came across this little gem. Maybe we got lucky since it was in the middle of the week, but there were very few people on the trail, not to mention only one other family with kids at the swimming hole that my kids played with. The water was clean and cool, it was not crowded, there was ample shade and sandy beach areas...it was PERFECT. I would highly recommend this area for family use.

    Photos
    Peace On Deep Creek
    Adventure pass
    Adventure pass
    Deep creek climb was tiring but pretty.

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    Deep creek climb was tiring but pretty.
    Lake Skinner

    Lake Skinner

    3.2
    (117 reviews)
    20.4 mi

    Beautiful lake. You do have to pay to enter, though. Current fees are listed here:…read morehttps://rivcoparks.org/regional-parks-campgrounds/lake-skinner-recreation-area The main complaint I have is that people leave trash everywhere - please, fellow Californians, pick up your trash so we can keep this lake beautiful.

    Lake Skinner - A Perfect Camping & Glamping Escape!…read more Yesterday, I packed up my two boys (ages 8 & 10) and their friend from school (also 8) for our very first camping/glamping adventure at Lake Skinner--and it was absolutely perfect. We booked a site with just the basics--electrical and water hookups--for only $50, which was all we needed for our tiny camper. The campground was clean, well-organized, and had plenty of open sites with different options and amenities, including a camp store for convenience. Some of our favorite spots were the splash pad and the playgrounds--perfect for keeping the kids entertained. Even if you just come for the day, these areas alone make it worth the trip. The kids had a blast, and it was wonderful seeing so many other families enjoying themselves too. Since we had their friend with us, we left around 8 PM to drop him back home--only about a 20-minute drive to Murrieta--then returned to the campsite, played a few games in the camper, and settled in for the night. With a 6 AM wake-up, we still made it home in time to freshen up, eat breakfast, and get the kids ready for school. (We even packed their backpacks just in case we needed to go straight from camp!) My boys haven't stopped talking about the trip--how much fun they had, how exciting it was to sleep overnight, and how much they want to go back. As a retired Navy Chief (41 years old) now balancing a busy real estate career, this is exactly how I want to spend my free time--unplugging, connecting with nature, and making lasting memories with my kids. Affordable, family-friendly, and packed with fun--Lake Skinner has definitely earned a spot on our repeat list. We can't wait to do it again!

    Photos
    Camping with papa and Bubbë
    Camping with papa and Bubbë
    Rock skipping at the lake
    Rock skipping at the lake
    There is electrical and water hiccups at  campground A site 135

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    There is electrical and water hiccups at campground A site 135

    Lake Hemet - hiking - Updated August 2026

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