Situated in the San Jacinto Mountains, Lake Hemet Reservoir was created in 1895 with the construction of the Lake Hemet Dam and is owned and operated by the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District (LHMWD). Lake Hemet Recreation Company is an authorized concessionaire of LHMWD. Lake Hemet Recreation Company is a part of Basecamp Hospitality (see information below). Camping and fishing is the primary attraction to the lake, which is stocked with rainbow trout, bluegill and largemouth bass. Other Lake Hemet activities include boating, picnicking, hiking, and camping in the surrounding areas. Lake Hemet is a short drive from the destination mountain town of Idyllwild.

terms & conditions
for camping at lake hemet

Camp Site Check-in is at 2pm and check-out is at 12pm

Cabins/Glamping Tents/Rentals Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is at 11am

Our front gate closes between 5-9pm each night depending on the day, and no guest vehicles will be permitted entry (even with gate code) from 10pm to 7am each day while quiet hours are being observed.

All campsites must be set up no later than 10pm each night when quiet hours begin, as a courtesy to those around you.

Guest limits per site:  Tent & RV Sites - 8 Guests.  Cabins & Rentals - 6 guests   Glamping Tents - 4 Guests

Onsite parking is included for one vehicle at each site booked.  A second vehicle may be added to each site for $25 per night.

Any additional vehicles must be parked in our overflow parking lot just outside our front gate for $15 per night.

Group Camp sites are limited to the following number of vehicles:  Group A - 16   Group B - 8   Group C-12

All additional vehicles for group camp sites must be parked in our overflow parking lot for $15 per night.

Every camp site here is outfitted with its own picnic table and fire ring (firewood available for sale at our market)

Please bring your own BBQ or grill for cooking.

Water spigots are located throughout the campground for public access to potable water.

Forget something?  Our onsite market has everything you need and more.

Generators are permitted but can only be operated from 8am to 10pm.

Quiet hours are strictly enforced between the hours of 10pm to 8am.

Fishing is free with your camping reservation but guests 16 and older must have a valid CA fishing license.

Shoreline fishing is open from 5am to 10pm for all overnight campers.  Vehicles must remain at least 30ft from the water  

Want to rent a boat during your stay?  Guests can now book boat rentals online at https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/golakehemet/?full-items=yes 

Swimming and wading in the water is strictly prohibited outside of our dedicated Swim Zone (open Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Due to occupancy, overnight guests will be asked to select one swim time for entry each day: 
1st Session 11am to 2:30pm
2nd Session 3:30 to 7:00pm (swim zone may close as early as 6pm if occupancy is low).

The Swim Zone is ONLY available to overnight guests.  No visitors or day useday-use will be granted access to it. without the express permission of staff.
 The Splashing Eagle Swim Zone does not contain inflatables - Guests are welcome to bring their own favorite water toys.  Swim Zone rules and restrictions can be found at https://www.golakehemet.com/waterpark

Please make sure to review our terms and conditions before arrival.  All campers, their pets, and guests must abide by these inside the campground at all times.

The following are additional campground rules for you to know and respect during your stay:

SPEED LIMIT - The Speed Limit Inside the campground is 5 MPH.  Guests who fail to respect and abide by the posted speed limit may be asked to leave the campground.

FIREWORKS – There are no fireworks or pyrotechnic devices of any kind permitted in the campground

CAMPFIRES – A fire ring is provided for each camp site.  Fires are only permitted inside the fire rings provided.  Fire rings may only be moved with permission of our staff and no shoreline fires are allowed.  Please ensure all fires are extinguished before leaving your campsite or Day Use area! Never leave a campfire unattended and do not place coals or burning items in trash receptacles.

QUIET HOURS – No loud activity, noises, music, bright lights or generators during the hours of 10PM TO 8AM each day as a courtesy to all guests.

DOGS – All dogs must be leashed at all times with a 6ft or smaller leash and must remain under their owners’ control at all times.  Dogs are not permitted in the water and may not be left unattended at a campsite.  Please make sure to clean up after your pets and bring vaccination records with you during your camping stay for any dogs you have with you.

BOAT & KAYAK LAUNCHES – Personal boats and kayaks may only be launched from our marina after inspection and payment of the personal launch fee.  All vessels must be at least 10 feet in length. Inflatable kayaks, rafts, paddle boards, peddle boats, and jet skis are not currently permitted at Lake Hemet.

WATER ACCESS – The south shore of Lake Hemet (opposite the campground) is off limits to guests by water and land.  It is a federally protected area for our nesting bald eagles and trespassers will be fined and removed from the campground.  Additionally, all boats and kayaks must remain at least 100 feet from both the damn and the spillway at the west side of the lake.

NO GLASS – Please refrain from bringing glass items near the shoreline.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION – Lake Hemet is a private campground and we permit the consumption of alcohol here onsite for guests age 21 and over.  California State Law prohibits intoxication in public areas, however, so we reserve the right to remove any intoxicated guests from the property.  Inside the campground guests may not drink and drive a vehicle or golf cart while under the influence.  Alcohol must be consumed within your own campsite.

BIKE RIDING – Children age 17 and under must wear a helmet when riding a bike inside the campground. 

SITE LIMITS – Each regular campsite here can accommodate up to 8 guests – 2 tents and 2 vehicles.  The first vehicle is free and the second vehicle is $25 per night.  Any additional vehicles must be parked in overflow parking outside the front gate. 

FIREARMS - No Firearms, air guns, pellet guns, slingshots or bow & arrows are permitted in the campground.  We have an onsite Sheriff’s station should there be any need for armed support.   

FLAGS/SIGNS -We kindly ask that flags and signs with explicit language, obscene imagery, hate speech, or racist symbolism not be flown or displayed at Lake Hemet. 

SPECIAL VEHICLES & MOTORCYCLES - Dirt bikes, motorbikes/scooters, RZR's, I-ITV's Or ATV's cannot be operated In the campground.  Only electric golf carts are permitted in the campground.

FISHING – Fishing is free here with a valid CA fishing license.  A license is required for anyone 16 or older. Guests overnight camping can fish from the shoreline from 5am to 10pm daily. Vehicles must remain at least 30 feet from the water line.

WASHING – Guests are not permitted to wash dishes at campground spigots.  Please dispose of waste water at dumps provided.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservation cancellations are subject to the following fees:

Date Change - FREE one-time only
Cancellation outside of 30 days of arrival date - Forfeit $9.00 booking fee
Cancellation within 30 days prior to arrival date - Forfeit one night + $9 booking fee for every site reserved
Cancellation within 72 hours of arrival is non-refundable
Reservations cancellations MUST be made in writing by emailing us at reservations@golakehemet.com