SUMMER IS THE PERFECT TIME to enjoy outdoor activities, and Riverside County has much to offer at little or no cost.
The county Park and Open Space District manages a wide range of lakes and parks, many of which have outdoor water play areas to beat the heat. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors recognized the many opportunities for outdoor recreation in declaring July as Park and Recreation Month in Riverside County.
Some of the opportunities include: Lake Skinner, located at 37701 Warren Road in Winchester, is available for use from 6 a.m. to sunset. Easily accessible from Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet and San Jacinto, Lake Skinner features fishing, boating, boat rentals, hiking, biking, horseshoe pits and trails for running and horseback riding.
A new amphitheater is available for entertainment and the "Summer Nights@Skinner" series features movies, music and more on the following nights: Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27; and Sept. 3 and 10.
For camping enthusiasts, Lake Skinner offers 184 sites with full hook-ups, including water, sewer, and electricity; 16 sites with partial hook-ups, including water and electricity; and 41 developed sites with water only. Showers and restrooms, a camp store and laundry facilities ensure that "roughing it" doesn't get too rough. Information is available at 951.926.1541
Rancho Jurupa Park, at 4800 Crestmore Road in Rubidoux, is open 7am–sunset on weekdays and 7am–10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Recreational opportunities abound at Rancho Jurupa Park, including a splash pad, miniature golf, horseshoe pits, disc golf and rock climbing. Within easy walking distance of the Louis Robidoux Nature Center, the pet-friendly Rancho Jurupa Park also features two fishing lakes, children's playgrounds, picnic areas, barbeques and open grassy areas for play.
Camping is available at 140 sites, including 72 with full hook-ups and 60 with cable television and wireless Internet service. Another 68 sites have water and electricity only. Restrooms, laundry facilities, dump stations and coin-operated showers are available, and campers can buy the essentials at the Gopher Hole Store. Cabins which are a new addition to the park are available for rent.
Information is available at 951.684.7032.
Lake Cahuilla, located at 58075 Jefferson Street in La Quinta, at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, is open 6am–7pm, Fridays through Mondays from May to September. Night fishing is available until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays from April-October. The swimming pool is open Saturdays and Sundays from April to October during the following hours: 11am–1pm; 1:30pm–3:30pm; and 4pm–6pm.
Pet-friendly Lake Cahuilla features a 113-acre lake, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, picnic facilities, barbeque grills and grill/fire rings.
Camping is available at 53 sites with hook-ups; 10 "water only" sites; 20 equestrian sites; and 30 primitive individual sites. Coin-operated showers, restrooms and a dump station are available.
Information is available at 760.564.4712.
For more information about county parks, visit us at www.rivcoparks.org and book your camping reservations online. Or call 800.234.PARK (7275).
More photos of Lake Skinner.
More photos of Rancho Jurupa Park.
More photos of Lake Cahuilla.
WATER SAFETY TIP: Drowning is preventable! Download a free PDF full of valuable tips by clicking here.