Free Veterans Day Admission and Fishing at Lake Cahuilla for Veterans and Service Members

LA QUINTA – Riverside County thanks and honors all who have served our country with free admission and fishing at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11 for veterans and service members.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will be open Veterans Day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. For visitor safety, physical distancing and face coverings when around others are required.

The county park, the first in the county park system named in honor of veterans, is located at 58075 Jefferson Street, La Quinta, CA  92253. The phone number for more information is 760564-4712.

“Veterans Day is a day of honor, pride and thankfulness for all veterans, past present and future, who risk their lives for our country,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is a beautiful place to spend the day, to walk, hike, fish and enjoy nature. We thank and honor everyone who has served our country, and welcome them to enjoy this special jewel on Veterans Day.”

In August 2017, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Perez’s proposal to rename Lake Cahuilla Regional Park to Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park. The measure includes free admission to the park for veterans and service members every Veterans Day (November 11) and Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday).

Free admission is open to active duty military personnel and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and federal and state reservists. To qualify, veterans need to present valid proof of military service. The free admission is extended to all other guests in the vehicle.

The free veteran admission also covers all day use activities such as fishing. A state fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. The state fishing license is not sold at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, but can be purchased at retailers.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is operated by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District via a lease with the Coachella Valley Water District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

The park features flags of each military branch, dedication plaques, lighting and landscaping pathways.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is the chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, representing the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County as the Fourth District Supervisor. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River, the Fourth District is the largest geographical district in the county.

Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.