Lake guide
Lake Hemet
Mountain Center, Riverside County, CA
Overview
Lake Hemet is a small mountain reservoir at about 4,340 feet in the San Jacinto Mountains, on Highway 74 in Mountain Center near Garner Valley. Its dam dates to 1895. The lake covers roughly 470 acres and holds about 14,000 acre-feet. Lake Hemet Municipal Water District owns it, and Lake Hemet Recreation Company runs the campground, market and marina.
A fishing lake first
Lake Hemet is a slow-speed fishing lake. The speed limit is 10 mph on the lake and 5 mph in the marina. Fishing boats, motorboats, rowboats, kayaks and canoes with an outrigger are welcome, but sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), race boats and inflatables of any kind are not. Boats must be at least 10 feet long with at least a 3-foot beam, and kayaks must also be 10 feet or longer.
Launching
Every boat, kayak and float tube is inspected for quagga mussels before it goes in the water. Your boat must be clean, drained and dry, and any moisture is an immediate failure. Inspections and launches happen only on days the marina is open. There is a $20 personal launch fee per boat or kayak per day, and anglers 16 and older pay a $10 daily fishing access fee on top of a California fishing license.
Good to know
Swimming and water contact are allowed only in designated areas, and dogs aren't allowed in the lake.
Getting there & access
By road
Lake Hemet is at 56570 Highway 74 in Mountain Center, in the San Jacinto Mountains near Garner Valley. Highway 74 (the Pines to Palms Highway) climbs from Hemet on the west or from the Palm Desert side to the east, so allow for mountain grades when towing.
Quagga inspection
Every boat is inspected for quagga mussels before entering the water. Arrive clean, drained and dry: any moisture is an immediate failure. Pull plugs and dry live-wells, bilges and motors before you come up the mountain.
Launch days and fees
Boats, kayaks and float tubes can be inspected and launched only on days the marina is open. Pay the $20 personal launch fee per vessel per day. Fishing licenses and the $10 daily fishing access fee are sold at the Lake Hemet Market at the campground entrance.
Boat limits
Boats must be at least 10 feet long with a 3-foot beam. Two- and four-stroke engines are both allowed, but the lake is a 10 mph lake (5 mph in the marina), so a small fishing rig is the right tool.
Amenities
- Launch ramp — Two boarding floats; about 30 car-and-trailer spaces
- Boat rentals — Motorboats, pontoon boats and kayaks
- Dry storage — Listed capacity of about 50 boats
- Campground — Tent and RV sites, cabins, glamping tents and group camping
- Lake Hemet Market — Groceries, tackle, fishing licenses and access permits at the campground entrance
- Fish cleaning station — On site
Rules & official resources
- All boats must be inspected for quagga mussels before launching; boats must be clean, drained and dry, and any moisture is an immediate failure
- Speed limit 10 mph on the lake and 5 mph in the marina
- Boats must be at least 10 ft long with a 3 ft minimum beam; kayaks must be 10 ft or longer, and canoes need an outrigger
- No inflatables, sailboats, race boats or personal watercraft (jet skis)
- $20 personal launch fee per boat or kayak per day; launching only on days the marina is open
- Anglers 16 and older need a California fishing license and a $10 per day Lake Hemet fishing access fee
- Swimming and water contact only in designated areas; no dogs in the lake
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Dry-out before inspection
Any moisture fails Lake Hemet's inspection. Owners who fish several lakes often book a full wash, drain and dry-out between trips so they don't get turned away at the ramp.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Small-outboard service
Most boats here are small aluminum and fiberglass fishing rigs running small outboards at 10 mph. Carburetor cleaning, impeller and lower-unit service keep them reliable.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Trailer and tow prep
Highway 74 is a long mountain climb from either side. Trailer brakes, bearings and lights should be in good shape before the drive.
Find Boat Transport, Towing & Delivery providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 6, 2026