Terri Peak Hike at Lake Perris

5 miles - Moderate Effort
2-3 Hours (Total)
1,100 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 2,569 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The hike to Terri Peak, which towers over Lake Perris and offers panoramic views, is a hidden gem. It's located in Lake Perris State Recreation Area, a park noted more for water sports than hiking. The trail to Terri Peak climbs through boulders and offers plenty of gradual sections to catch your breath and take in the views. You can either hike to the top and back, or you can do the full loop for even more views.

In this Guide:

Video & Turn by Turn Directions For the Terri Peak Loop Hike
Trailhead Directions at Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Insider Tips for the Hike

Quick Links: Lake Perris State Recreation Area - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Getting to the Terri Peak Trailhead

There are a few ways to hike to Terri Peak, and this guide will show you the loop hike which I find the most beautiful. You'll do most of the hike between the lake and the mountain, which offers great views going up and down.

There is an entry fee for the park unless you have a California State Parks Pass.

The trailhead is next to the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum (pronounced ya-hee eh-key and meaning "home of the wind" in Cahuilla). You can use this trailhead address:
17801 Lake Perris Dr, Perris, CA 92571

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 2 — The museum is not always open, and when it's not, you can't use the parking lot there.

If the parking lot at the museum is closed, you can park nearby at the Fisherman's Lot.

Terri Peak Alternate Parking — The Fisherman's Lot is a 10 minute walk on the side of the road to the trailhead.

There are bathrooms at both parking lots.

Gear for the Hike

This entire hike is exposed, so when the sun is out, it can be brutal. Bring sun protection and lots of water (at least 1.5L). I hike this with light hiking gear, but you can certainly get away with fitness clothes.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork Poles ( REI | Amazon )

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Terri Peak Loop Trail Maps

The first part of the hike is on small trails that, for the most part, are easy to follow. There are small, unmarked use-trails that branch off at points, but I've noted most of them in the directions below. After the peak you'll descend on larger trails that are shared by mountain bikes. The last part of of the loop ends at a road. If you've parked at the museum, there's a 5 minute walk in the dirt along the side of the road. If you parked at the Fisherman's Lot, you walk on the paved pedestrian path to the start.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Elevation Profile

Terri Peak Hike Elevation

3d Map

Hike Brief

Jackrabbit At Terri Peak — You lookin' at me? Keep your eyes open for black-tailed jackrabbits which are numerous on the hike.

At the beginning of the hike there's an interpretive display warning you about mountain lions. Don't be scared. According to the rangers they get about a dozen reports of a mountain lion sighting each year, most of which are probably a bobcat (harmless to humans) that lives around Terri Peak. Expect to see rabbits, squirrels, lizards, and hawks.
Lake Perris is a humanmade lake, finished in 1973, and part of the California State Water Project. It's a popular spot for waterskiing and fishing, and even has an artifactual tire reef habitat. Scientists determined that anything over a 7.5 magnitude earthquake (big) will break the 2-mile long dam.
Don't drink the water from the lake, even if filtered. It has high mercury and toxin levels.
Terri Peak (at 2569 ft) is not the highest point in the park, but it is the highest point with a trail to it. The highest point is nearby Mt Russell at 2704 ft.
In the winter this hike is lush and green. In the summer and fall it's dry and yellow. The late winter and early spring is a good time to see wildflowers and California Poppies.
The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum is essentially the visitor's center for the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, and is worth a visit if open. From the big glass windows inside you can see the lake and Mt San Jacinto.
If you want to make a day of it, do the hike first thing in the morning, then take a bike ride around the lake (9 miles and flat), and then have a picnic lunch.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions

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Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 4 — The small trailhead is at the far side of the parking lot, past the building.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 5 — The trail is small but easy to follow. You start heading uphill from the gun.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 6 — After a few minutes there's a vista point off to the left. Check it out and then continue uphill.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 7 — You'll see a number of smaller use-trails branching off the main trail, many of them visiting overlooks. Stay on the bigger (and more well-trodden) main trail.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 8 — You'll pass through some boulder fields.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 9 — There's a false peak in the distance as you start the hike, but after clearing the boulder fields, you'll start to see Terri Peak.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 10 — This section has several side trails to overlooks. Stay on the main trail toward Terri Peak in the distance.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 11 — There's one short steep section at this part of the trail.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 12 — After the steep section, the trail levels out and you'll see Terri Peak in front of you.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 13 — When you get very close to the peak, take the trail to the right to head to the summit area.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 14 — Here's the summit, covered in fog. The summit area is big with lots of viewpoints in all directions.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 15 — This rock is the main spot where folks take shots with the lake in the background. From here you can see San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Angeles National Forest, Saddleback Mountain, and south to the mountains around San Diego. Or just fog...

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 16 — Here's the view of Lake Perris without the fog. The small island in the lake is Alessandro Island, which has a short hiking trail on it.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 17 — From the summit, look for the wide trail to the north and head downhill. From here on out you'll be sharing the trail with mountain bikes.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 18 — The trail winds over a plateau on the top of the mountain.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 19 — When the trail winds around to the east, continue right, avoiding any smaller use-trails.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 20 — The trail crests a small rise and then has sweeping views of Moreno Valley to the north.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 21 — The trail winds back toward Lake Perris as you continue to descend.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 22 — When you get to the junction, go straight through.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 23 — After the last intersection the trail splits, stay left. To the right are overlooks.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 24 — Lake Perris and Alessandro Island come into view as the trail heads southeast.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 25 — There's a small spit where you can go either way.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 26 — And at the top of the rise after the split, stay straight.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 27 — Soon you'll get to a dirt road. Make the left onto the road.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 28 — After a short way, look for the cutoff trail to the right.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 29 — Then bear right onto the road into the horse campground.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 30 — Go through the horse campground and then stay left on the road through the camp.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 31 — At the end of the campground look for the trail off to the right.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 32 — The trail is nice and flat as it heads back to the start along the lake. You'll have nice lake views as you cruise back.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 33 — When the trail comes to the road, cross over.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 34 — Follow the trail along the other side of the road.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 35 — Eventually the trail bends to the left as it comes to another road.

Terri Peak Loop Hike Directions 36 — And then when you reach the road, it's almost done. Head up the road to the museum if you parked there (10 min walk), or else head down the path on the left back to the Fisherman's Lot.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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