Camping near Lake Mathews
Bring the tent, RV, or horse trailer to Lake Mathews for waterfront mountain camping year-round.
- Lake Mathews
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Camping near Lake Mathews guide
Overview
In the foothills of the Temescal Mountains, Lake Mathews sits right next to the reservoir lake of the same name. Lake Mathews is surrounded by shrublands and chaparral, riverside woodlands, and valley grasslands for campers to explore. Since Lake Mathews isn’t open for recreational use, campers may want to explore Chino Hills State Park and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park to find miles and miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Set up at on-site campgrounds in Chino Hills with electrical hookups and access to citrus trees. Lake Perris State Recreation Area also welcomes campers for fishing, swimming, and boating. Then retire to a waterfront primitive campsite immersed in nature.
Where to go
Chino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park sits at the north end of the Santa Ana Mountains. The park’s claim to fame is 90 miles of multi-use trails. Take a day hike through the small mountains and hills, ride a mountain bike over fun and challenging terrain, or ride a horse through the landscape. But keep a lookout for Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes. Camping accommodations include tent and RV campsites available for individuals or groups, with electrical hookups and picnic tables. Afterwards, explore the historic Rolling M Ranch barn on the land, or head to nearby California Citrus Historic State Park to learn about the area’s rich history of lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit trees.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Woodland and riverside canyons await in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. There’s no camping in the park, but private tent and RV campgrounds nearby have firepits and full hookups. Glamping and cabin rental opportunities with AC and queen beds bring comfortable campers close to scenic rock formations like Red Rock Canyon. This canyon was formed by prehistoric sea waters that used to cover the area. Many of the 23 trails connect to the OC Parks Regional Trail system for biking, hiking, and equestrian use. Hikers can see wildlife and remnants of the park’s cattle ranching days. After a day exploring the forest and scrublands, cool off with a dip in Borrego, Serrano, or Aliso Creek, or jump into the private pools or nearby lakes by private campgrounds for swimming.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Lake Perris State Recreation Area is a popular destination for campers looking to spend time on the water. Tent, RV, and equestrian campers find waterfront campsites with firepits that provide easy access to fishing from the shore, pier, or boat. Sailing and waterskiing are also popular activities on the lake; however boaters will need a valid California Boater Card. Experienced divers can explore in scuba diving areas, as well. Intrepid campers can find remote primitive campsites in the park for wildlife viewing and birding. Look out for loggerhead shrikes, hummingbirds, roadrunners,and pelicans. For campers visiting in spring and summer, take a dusk hike led by park rangers to see important and active wilderness sites in the area.
When to go
Though the camping season around Lake Mathews starts in October and goes through May, lots of people love visiting in November to April for cooler temperatures and to see local and unique wildflowers. Winters are relatively short in Lake Mathews, with a fair amount of rain and partly cloudy skies. The nearby mountains keep temperatures between 43–58°F. In summer, water sports become popular. Average summer temperatures are around 77°F.