Lake Hemet , 8 miles from Idyllwild, was created in 1895 when the Dam was built creating the man made reservoir which covers 470 acres and has 12 miles of shoreline. When Lake Hemet Dam was completed in 1895, it was the largest solid masonry dam in the world, until 1911 when the Theodore Roosevelt Dam in Arizona was completed. The special cement came from Antwerp, Belgium and had to be shipped around south america because the Panama Canal hadn’t been built yet. The cement was loaded from train cars onto oxen carts and hauled up the mountain. It took 4 years to complete and today provides water to Hemet, San Jacinto & Garner Valley. It was initially built by a private company but is owned and operated today by the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District.

Lake Hemet can be accessed without going into the Lake Hemet Campground by turning onto Lake Hemet Road before you get to the campground. This portion is operated by the U.S. Forest Service and an adventure pass is required to park, but they are only $5 and can be obtained from a machine with a credit card in the first parking area. There are picnic sites and you can fish from the shore from the 2 areas along this road, but you cannot launch any boats from these areas. All boat launchings MUST be done from inside Lake Hemet Campground because boats must be inspected for “Quagga mussels” which come in attached to boats. These mussels are invasive and if introduced into the lake, can clog up pumping and water distribution lines. This is why people can’t just plunk their own boats into the water at Lake Hemet. It is a drinking water reservoir.

Other than providing water, its primary recreational activity is fishing. It is stocked by US. Department of Fish and Wildlife and some of the fish that you can catch include Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Catfish & Bluegill. Other activities are boating, picnicking, hiking & camping. You can rent boats at Lake Hemet Campground, or you can bring your own, but there is a boat launching fee which includes the inspection for the quagga mussels. Inflatables nor Jet Skis are not allowed in the lake. Launching boats from the U.S. Forest Service Picnic Areas is prohibited.

Lake Hemet Municipal Water District runs Lake Hemet Campground and is responsible for the lake. Click here for the official website. There is a fee to enter the campground ($25 per car for day use if you’re not renting a campsite). Boat Rentals are available: Kayaks run $32 hr. and fishing boats from 12′ motorboats for $70 for 2 hr. and Pontoon boats for up to 8 people range from $125 – $215 for 2 hours. If you bring your own boat, there is a $20 launch fee which includes inspection. Click here for information on Boat Rental.

Camping in Lake Hemet Campground has a large variety of options. Tent Camping runs $55 – $75 per site per night, Glamping or Lakeview Cabins that come with beds but centralized bathrooms run $175 – $190 per night, and RV hook-ups run $55 – $100 per night. They also have some “Special Lodging” which are Trailers and a Netherland Tent/Cabin Hybrid with bathrooms, AC, kitchen, etc. The range of the “special lodging” is from $155 – $345 per night. Click here for more information on camping options.

There is a swimming area for kids that is open in the summer.. There is a $5 Swim fee in addition to the day use fee per car. The Swim Zone is currently open Friday – Monday.

Thursday August 14th
US Marine Corp Band
7:00 pm – 8:30

No Opening Group for this concert!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the ground.
Bring a picnic dinner or buy hot dogs at the food stand. The Peak Restaurant is serving food out of the new Community Center building overlooking the Amphitheater.

Saturday August 16th
Butterfly Daze
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
10 am – 3 pm

Saturday August 16th
Tiki Party
Idyllwild Brewpub
4 pm – 9 pm

Tiki Costume Fashion Show & Contest
Tiki Cocktails & Drinks
Island Inspired Food
Games & More
Free Admission

Sundays
Farmer’s Market
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
9am – 2pm

Every Wednesday in August
Team Stewart Family Dinners
The Peak Restaurant
55251 South Circle
5 pm – 8 pm

Think you have to be a guest to go to dinner at The Peak Restaurant at Tahquitz Pines? Think Again. Now through August, every Wednesday night The Peak Restaurant is having a special night called “Dinner with the Stewarts”. Shane & Ashley Stewart would like to invite you to have a family oriented, reasonably priced dinner at the Peak Restaurant. See the grounds, see what YOU the community have access to all year long. Special menu items, special prices, special drink prices, and live music. Every Wednesday thru August. Come have dinner with us!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Historical Society is in need of some adult volunteers who would be willing to help out with this year’s Home Tour on Saturday September 13th. No special knowledge is needed but you will need to be able to stand (or sit) in one of the homes for a 6 hour shift (with breaks, of course).

One of the benefits of volunteering, is that you will get to tour the homes on Friday without all the visitors that will attend on Saturday. We would really appreciate your help. Please contact Chris at 951-961-8403 if you are interested. Thank you.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday
August 29th, 30th, 31st
Lily Rock Chamber Music Festival
Friday & Saturday at Idyllwild Arts
Friday & Saturday: Lowman Concert Hall 6:00 pm
Sunday: St. Hugh episcopal Church 1:00 pm
FREE – Donations suggested.

Featuring the world-renowned artists of the Manhattan Chamber Players along with special guests.

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

Emergency Radio Station

In Idyllwild, have a portable radio with batteries available and tune into WNKI AM 1610 Radio station for Emergency announcements in Idyllwild.

Delivery in Idyllwild

Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Everyday: 11 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Fridays
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
25925 Cedar St.
10:45 am – 11:45 am

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall

Mondays
12-pm – 1pm

Tue/Wed/Thur
10am – 11am

Fridays
12-pm – 1pm

Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
10:30 am – 11:30 am

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.