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Rivcoparks

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About Lake Skinner

Nestled in the rolling hills of Winchester, CA, beautiful Lake Skinner Recreation Area offers visitors expansive natural vistas and invigorating recreational opportunities, including camping, picnicking, splash pad, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and fishing. All boating activities must be non-body contact (no swimming, skiing, etc.)

​For day trips, Lake Skinner offers two shade shelters, picnic benches and barbecues throughout the park for picnics and other gatherings. Camping sites offers picnic benches and fire rings. Most away-from-home needs can be met with a visit to the well-stocked camp store.

Vessel & Launch Rules
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    Park Hours

    Day Use Hours

    6 a.m. to Sunset┃Daily

    Camp Hours

    6 a.m. to Sunset┃Sunday-Thursday
    6 a.m. to 10 p.m.┃Friday-Saturday & Night before Holiday

    Splash Pad Hours: Available April 1 - Labor Day

    10 a.m. to 6 p.m.┃Tuesday -Sunday 

    Park Fees

    Camping: $30-50 per night. See our fee card for more information.
    Day use: $6 per adult and $3 per child (12 and younger).
    Fishing: $10 per adult, per day and $8 per child (12 and younger), per day.
    Boat Launch: $7
    Pets: $2 per dog, per day.
    Sewage Dump Fee: (non-camper): $20.

    See our Holiday Fee Schedule for Holiday Vehicle Fees. 

    Current license, registration, and insurance is required when camping. For more information, please contact Guest Services.

    Park Features

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    • 199 Full Hook Up Sites (Water, Sewer, and Electricity)

    • 18 Developed Sites (Water and Electricity)

    • 40 Developed Sites (Water Only)

    • Historic Alamos Schoolhouse

    • Camp Store

    • Fishing

    • Boating

    • Boat Rentals

    • Hiking

    • Biking

    • Running Trails

    • Laundry Facilities

    • Splash Pad

    • Horseshoe Pits

    • Showers and Restrooms/Toilettes

    • Amphitheatre

    • Group Camping

    • Playgrounds

    • Day use shade shelters

    • Picnic Tables and BBQ's

    • Annual day use passes available

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    Park Rules

    • Bicycle riders must wear helmet

    • No solid floor tents on grass

    • No ground fires allowed

    • Drones are not permitted in the park.

    • No more than 6 occupants and 2 vehicles per site

    • Maximum stay of 14 days within a 28-day period

    • No fireworks

    • No firearms

    • Do not remove, deface, or disturb any part of the park features or wildlife

    • Do not gather firewood in the park

    • Do not attach anything to trees

    • Pets must be kept on controlled leashes (Maximum leash length – 6 feet)

    • Do not leave pet(s) unattended

    • Clean up promptly after pet(s)

    • 16 and older must have valid State fishing permit

    • For a full detailed list of our rules please visit this link.

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    Park FAQ's

     

    • Does Lake Skinner Park have adequately paved paths to accommodate persons with limited mobility?

    • There is a 1.5-mile trail loop around the park that is rated accessible. There are other trails that are fairly easy to navigate, but not rated. A few areas, including the splash pad, have easily navigable concrete sidewalks. There are 3 accessibility-rated campsites (one in each campground); however, the only accessibility-rated restroom is outside the campgrounds (by the splash pad) and meant for day use only. One specific fishing area is designed to provide better accessibility to rustic shoreline fishing, but it is not paved, or accessibility rated.

    • What is the majority of the Day Use land like? (Paved, grassy, gravel, sandy, flat, bumpy, etc.)

    • Dirt paths, large grassy areas for picnicking, some sidewalks. There are 55 acres of grass area.

    • How shaded is the Day Use Area? Are there many shade trees in heavily trafficked areas?

    • There are some shade trees in various areas, but much of the grassy area is open and not shaded.
    • There are several shade shelters in the day use area.  The shelters by the splash pad are first come first serve.  Day use one and day use two shelters are reservable with a fee. 

    • What types of trails are within the park for walking, hiking, biking or horse riding?

    • Walking and biking within the park. Hiking and horseback riding are permitted on the 6-mile equestrian trail on the perimeter of the park. Horses are not permitted within the facility outside of the designated horse trails and equestrian campground. The horse trail is open from May 20th until the end of November. Off-road vehicles are not allowed within the park.

    • How many playgrounds are in the park?

    • Two playgrounds; the campground is designated for older children (12 and up), and the playground near the splash pad is designed for children under 12 years of age.

    • Are there any water-play features? What are the months and hours of operation?

    • The splash pad is open April 1 – September 25, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. On non-holiday Mondays the splash pad is closed. Swimming or other body contact is not permitted in the lake itself.

    • What activities are available in Lake Skinner Park?

    • Camping, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding (no horse rentals), horseshoe pits (provide own horseshoes), kite-flying, kayaking/canoeing, sail boating.  Please note:  All kayaks and boats must have an inspection and decal issuance.  Please call for requirements before your first visit out at 951-926-1541.

    • How many shade structures/shelters are available in the park? How may picnic tables are under each?

    • Day Area 1 has a 40’x40’ shelter with 16 picnic table and large BBQ. Day Area 2 has a 20’x20’ shelter with 10 picnic tables and large BBQ. These shelters may be reserved in advance. The Ramp 2 area has three small shelters that provide limited shade and no tables.

    • Does Lake Skinner have an on-site store?

    • The Lake Skinner camp store sells bait & tackle, ice, beer, firewood, and various snacks. The camp store marina offers boat rentals (year-round), bike rentals (camp store – summer), and dry storage rental for boats and rigs.

    • Do you currently sell CA State fishing licenses at Lake Skinner Park?

    • The camp store sells CA State Fishing Day Permits as well as yearly CA State Fishing licenses.

    • Are there laundry facilities on site?

    • Yes, there are coin-operated laundry facilities at the camp store which are available during regular store hours, 6:00 a.m. – sunset.

    • What campsites have the best shade?

    • Sites 101,107,119,120, 202,203,207,210,215,216,220,221,222,251,301,302,304,308,314 and 317.

    • What sites are “good for children”? (Near restrooms, open areas, etc.)

    • None of our sites are very far from the restrooms. Shadiest sites are 101,107,119,120, 202,203,207,210,215,216,220,221,222,251, 301,302,304,308,314 and 317.
    • Sites closest to the restrooms, showers and playground are 119-124, 143-146,164-168, 186-192,201-201-205,225-229,249-254 and 277-280.
    • Sites near open areas are 169-173.

    • Which sites offer some level of privacy?

    • 101, 301, 317, and 224 are end sites, but none are exclusively private.

    • Which sites are best for tent camping?

    • All of our sites may be used for tent camping.

    • Which sites ae closest to the lake, and approximately how far?

    • None of the sites are close to the lake and all will require some walking to get to it. The closest sites are 277-298.

    • Are there any exceptions to the 2 vehicle/2 tent maximum?

    • There are no exceptions to the 2-vehicle maximum. Extra vehicle cost of $6.00 per night per vehicle and must park in overflow parking.  There is a two tent and six person per site rule.  However, we will make exceptions in some cases.   All tents and vehicles must remain within the campsite boundary and no tents are allowed on the grass.

    • Do all sites have a BBQ/fire ring and picnic table?

    • All sites have fire ring and picnic tables (no BBQ).

    • Are golf carts allowed in the park and/or campground?

    • No golf carts unless they are registered with DMV and street legal. Driver must be 18 or older and licensed.

    • Is there a dump station available to campers on-site?

    • The dump station is across from Campground B. If staying in the park, access is free. If coming from outside the park, there is a fee.

    • What information is needed when registering into a campsite?

    • The registering party must be 18 years of age (and may be asked to show ID) and all vehicles and rigs must have current registration.

    • What is the maximum/minimum number of campers allowed in a group camping area?

    • There are two group camping loops, A & B, with 16 sites each. A maximum of 16 rigs are allowed per loop: 6 campers (people) per rig = a maximum of 96 campers in each group area at a time. Group areas may be reserved for fewer rigs/campers, but all 16 sites must be paid in full.

    • How far away is the nearest grocery store and gas station?

    • Stater Bros. grocery store, various gas stations, fast food, etc. are 10 miles away.

    • What other activities are in the area, such as trails, movies, historical/natural sites, etc.?

    • The city of Temecula is about 15 minutes from the park and there are numerous dining facilities, movie theaters, and other entertainment readily available. The Temecula Wineries are less than 5 minutes from the park as well.

    • What sores of animals/wildlife are common in the park?

    • Many types of birds, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, deer, rattlesnakes. We do have mountain lions and bobcats within the park.

    • What precautions should be taken to avoid unpleasant encounters with wild animals?

    • No wild animal should be approached under any circumstances. Should an animal be injured or considered dangerous, the camper should contact park personnel so they can address the issue.

    • Are there any animals that don’t belong in the park, and how should they be reported?

    • No, but domestic animals need to be trailered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and not left unattended at any time. Dogs are not allowed on boats or in equestrian areas and must be kept 50 ft. from the high-water mark. Loose animals should be reported to the camp host or rangers.

    • What are the boating rules and regulations for Lake Skinner?

    • Boat operators must comply with all applicable federal, state and local licensing and safety laws, rules and regulations governing boats and boating operations. Vessels will be inspected to ensure they meet the following criteria:
    • Boat engines must be four-stroke or direct fuel injection two stroke and must comply with the California Air Resources Control Board 2001 or later model year spark-ignition marine engine standard (or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2006 equivalent).
    • Alcohol will not be permitted on boats or marinas.
    • Only gasoline free of the additive MTBE is allowed. Boats containing MTBE fuel will be turned away. The California Air Resources Board has reported that MTBE was removed from all gasoline refined for sale in California in Nov. 2003. Therefore, all gasoline must be purchased in California and proof of purchase will be required for boats with out-of-state registration. Refueling is prohibited except in designated areas.

    • Are other watercraft like jet skis or wave runners allowed on the lake?

    • No.

    • Is swimming or waterskiing allowed in the lake?

    • No. Lake Skinner is managed by the Municipal Water District and the source of local domestic water supply; therefore, body contact with the lake is prohibited. Boats shall not pull individuals or any recreational equipment (e.g., inner tubes, skis, boards, etc.).

    • Do you offer Wi-Fi? No

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    • Boats must be at least 12 feet long, 42 inches wide and have 12 inches of freeboard at idle speed. Multi-hulled boats must have solid and fixed decking.
    • Kayaks must be at least 10 feet long, non-bailing, and with seating for all passengers inside the boat. Sit-on-top kayaks are not allowed.
    • The speed limit for all watercraft on Lake Skinner is 10 mph. The maximum speed within 100 feet of the shore, dams, other operational structures and in marinas areas is five mph.
    • For more information, please visit: http://www.dvlake.com/inspection03.html
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    First-Time Boater Registration

    Inspections and decal issuance by appointment only. Call 951-926-1541 to make an appointment.

    More Information

    Ready for Birding Adventure?

    Here's a handy field guide to Lake Skinner's 80 most common bird species among the 200+ species that call Skinner home.

    Red Tailed Hawk

    DON’T MOVE A MUSSEL! Prevent the spread of Quagga and Zebra mussels!

    Recreation activities are restricted at Lake Skinner to help prevent the introduction and spread of quagga and zebra mussels:
    * No inflatables
    * All vessels will be quarantine for 7 days  after mandatory inspection 
    * No Body Contact/Swimming 
    * No Floatation Devices
    * Unopened and unused baits only. Baits available on site.

    For more information about quagga and zebra mussels, please download this fact sheet and Quagga education pamphlet from CVWD in English & Spanish.

    To learn more about RivCoParks’ quagga containment and prevention program, please read the full policy Here.

    California Department of Fish & Wildlife National Invasive Species Information Center
    dont-Move-Mussel