Free Veterans Day Admission, Fishing at Park

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

LA QUINTA – As a way to thank and honor all who have served this country, Riverside County is offering free Veterans Day admission and fishing at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is open Veterans Day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free admission is open to active duty military personnel, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and federal and state reservists, and all other guests in the vehicle. Free entry also covers all day use activities such as fishing. To qualify, veterans need to present valid proof of military service.

For the general public, Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will have a $20 per vehicle entry fee on Veterans Day.

Those fishing need a state fishing license, 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. The lake has channel catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass, carp, bluegill and a low amount of rainbow trout.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, the first in the county park system named in honor of veterans, is located at 58075 Jefferson Street in La Quinta. The phone number for more information is 760-564-4712.

“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, go fishing, or horseback riding, and just relax and enjoy nature. We welcome veterans, their families and the community to enjoy Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, a park veterans can call their own, on Veterans Day.”

In August 2017, Lake Cahuilla Regional Park was renamed to Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in honor of veterans. The renaming measure included free entry to the park for veterans and service members every Veterans Day (November 11) and Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday).

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

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.