Lake Perris, State recreation lake in Riverside County, California

Lake Perris is a reservoir in Riverside County, California, completed in 1973 as the southern terminus of the California State Water Project. It sits at 1,560 feet (480 m) above sea level in a valley between Moreno Valley and Perris, held back by a 2-mile (3 km) long, 128-foot (39 m) tall chevron-shaped earthfill dam. The lake stores 131,400 acre-feet of water, and its shoreline is ringed by hills and small mountains.

Lake Perris was completed in 1973 as the southern terminus of the California State Water Project, impounding 131,400 acre-feet behind a 2-mile, 128-foot chevron-shaped earthfill dam. The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail passes by the lake. The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum on the park grounds covers the water project and the desert region's native peoples.

The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum within the park displays exhibits about the indigenous peoples who lived in the Southern California desert and their deep connection to this landscape.

Two boat launches and multiple campgrounds with full facilities are spread across the area for different visitor preferences and activities. Arriving early in the day, especially on weekends, helps secure good parking spots and convenient access to preferred recreation zones.

An artificial reef built from old tires lies on the lake floor, placed there to give fish a habitat. The lake also holds record catches, including a 17-pound 6-ounce Florida largemouth bass and a 30-pound channel catfish. California has issued a safe-eating advisory for fish caught here because of elevated mercury and PCB levels.