Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<div class="bg-billboard pad-12">
 <span class="text-medium">GREAT FACILITIES AND GREAT LOCATION</span>
 <br>Over 190 acres of Parkland! Enjoy the quiet tranquility of the country, while being close enough to visit the many attractions of San Diego County. The perfect location to explore the mountains, deserts, beaches, and lakes.
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Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is a family-friendly recreational area located in Santee, California. The preserve consists of seven lakes, each with its own unique features and activities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, and more. The lakes are stocked with a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and trout. The preserve also offers a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are also playgrounds, a disc golf course, and a dog park. The preserve is open year-round and offers a variety of special events throughout the year.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve serves as a scenic urban retreat managed by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Located within a dedicated 190-acre park, this destination offers a unique blend of outdoor relaxation and convenient access to Southern California amenities. It provides a peaceful escape from the busy surrounding metropolitan area while maintaining <strong>well-maintained RV sites</strong> that cater to both short-term weekend travelers and those seeking a longer stay in a tranquil, nature-focused environment.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated in the heart of Santee, California, the preserve is strategically positioned for visitors wanting to explore San Diego County. The park is nestled among <strong>seven picturesque lakes</strong> that provide a serene backdrop for morning walks and afternoon relaxation. Despite being located in a suburban setting, the preserve feels secluded and lush, offering a quiet atmosphere that remains within easy reach of major highways, making it a perfect base for regional explorations.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The facility is designed for comfort and accessibility, offering <strong>full hookup sites</strong> that accommodate various recreational vehicle types. Guests can enjoy a variety of onsite features, including multiple playgrounds for families, a community pool, and dedicated fishing areas. The park also places a strong emphasis on recreation, providing <strong>dedicated dog parks</strong> and expansive trails that wind around the water, ensuring that every member of the family remains entertained during their stay.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Santee Lakes is located in close proximity to some of Southern California's most iconic destinations. Visitors are just a short drive from the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the historic attractions found throughout Balboa Park. For those who enjoy active lifestyles, the nearby Mission Trails Regional Park offers extensive hiking opportunities, while the <strong>coastal beaches</strong> of the Pacific Ocean provide the ideal setting for a classic California afternoon trip during your stay.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This preserve is an excellent choice for families seeking a balance between natural serenity and modern convenience. It is particularly well-suited for travelers who appreciate <strong>big-rig friendly access</strong> and those who enjoy waterside activities without sacrificing proximity to urban amenities. Whether you are planning a relaxing retreat to enjoy the local wildlife or using the site as a comfortable home base for regional sightseeing, the preserve offers a versatile and welcoming environment for all visitors.</p>

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Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

RV Sites

Cabins

Discover Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in Santee, CA. Enjoy full hookups, scenic lakes, and easy access to San Diego attractions at this family retreat.

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in Santee, CA

Beautiful spot! Such a family friendly place to spend the day. Highly recommend renting a pedal boat! Really kind and helpful staff too 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

7 lakes for fishing 2 of which are for campers only, beautiful paths for bike riding and nice pull through lots with trees for our big 43ft rv. Will definitely be back next year, who knows may be back this summer to get out of the Arizona heat.

Our family & friends went camping st Santee Lakes & campground. Now we know there's a curfew 9pm. Our first two nights was great. But the third night  Saturday @ 7:30pm a staff member came to one of our sites (we caravan RV's) telling grown men & women that there's been some complaints. Use of profanity, fire pit which was used the first 2 nights. How dare they tell us what we can & cannot say. We were having our own fun until then. We we're not disrespecting anyone. Now there are people who actually live there. This is a campground not a retirement home. There also was a wedding party in the cabins who partied all night as well as others put having fun. But for some reason they decided to mess with our crew. So for those reasons we'll never go back. We felt disrespected!!!!!

Reserved a spot for an event. The spot was nice and the lakes are beautiful but the parking situation was terrible. Our guests had to pay 7 dollars per vehicle to park a 10/15 minute walk away from our reserved area. The bathrooms were really dirty and were not being kept up with throughout the day.

Santee Lakes is a beautiful, relaxing place to watch the ducks and other wildlife, and many people fish there. There is not a lot of shade for such a warm climate, but there are some picnic tables and benches scattered around. There’s a little store that sells drinks, ice cream and snacks, as well as camping supplies. No dogs of any size are allowed , even on a leash. If you are staying at the campground you are allowed to walk your dogs around all the lakes, which seems unfair to me. It gets very crowded on weekends and holidays with very limited parking, so plan to go early.

The man on duty driving the parks truck on Sunday was way too aggressive and driving like a crazy person. He needs to relax and realize families are here to enjoy the park. I hope he’s not armed, he seems unstable. This was Sunday 9/7/25, 3:30pm

Our family has been coming here for about 4 decades.  It's a nice place to take a walk and let the kids ride bikes safely.  Lots of parks and overall pretty clean.  One thing I have noticed on our last few visits was that it is becoming more evident that people live here full time.  I don't care about someone's living arrangements, but it's a bit strange when it starts looking like a swap meet with random kitchen appliances laying around while the rangers tidy up and rake patterns into the lot next door. Also, I've never noticed people smoking before in the camping section,  but this last trip, there were several.

We just go to Santee Lakes for picnics, and sometimes to just walk around. There is an entry fee to park inside, but you can also walk in if you park out on the street close to the entrance. On some weekends it's actually easier to park on the street for free than to look for parking in the lake parking areas, so we usually just stick to the street parking.

It's nice here, the lakes look clean, grass is nice and well maintained, and the bathrooms are good. I enjoy coming here.

I've been to these lakes 5 times.. paid the fees to fish and never caught a single fish. I've come on the day after they "stocked" the lake.. or when they claim they stocked the lakes and not ever a nibble. There are way too much grass in the lake and not enough fish. I wonder if they even stock the lake when they say they do. I've fished lake 3, 4 and 5. I've done night fishing when they had it. I've tried all kinds of fishing styles. I might as well have drove up, thrown my money into the lake and gone home.

Great area for family. However they don’t seem to keep up with the playgrounds. They are covered in spider webs. A quick power washing would help this. From the of it it has not been serviced in a while. I would think to prevent spider bites for kids they would. Also 3 big wasp nest in the bathroom. Looks like they haven’t been cleaned from critters as well.

Want to go fishing? This a great place to enjoy a day of catching some nice fish… great assortment of types of fish and the lakes are so fun to enjoy .. Try it you will like it 👍👍👍

This is a wonderful family friendly lake with helpful staff. It is kept clean and there are workers located throughout to lend a helping hand. Campsites are spacious and conveniently placed near the restaurant and bathroom facilities, and there are fun family activities accessible for all.

Misleading prices

Website says $3 for splash pad on weekends. It's actually $4. That's not rhe issue... they also charge you to enter the park even if you buy a splash wrist band. So $10 for the splash pad... I understand it's private but the website needs some clarity. Especially for people who drive 20+ minutes to enjoy your park.

Absolutely beautiful, clean area! Luckily got a cabin last minute due to a cancellation. Peaceful at night sitting by campfire. Plenty of area for walking,etc. Would definitely recommend Santee Lakes. Hope to stay again soon!

Santee Lakes is a great place to visit, the staff is very nice, they help me out and answer all of my questions, this is a must visit place, very clean areas. I was there with my son for some fishing, it was our first time there and the experience was great, we will definitely go back to visit. Thank you to the staff for a very pleasant day.

I was really impressed that they're so big on managing the park's environmental impact. They use solar panels to meet 50% of the park's energy needs which was a huge draw for me. The grounds are well organized and easy to figure out, which is huge for me because I'm always getting lost in places like that! We stayed in one of the lakefront cabins and absolutely loved it. Our cabin had a full set up with cable TV and even a kitchen area, but we enjoyed the outside pedal boats the most. Of course since it's on the water, there's tons of fishing to be done, and hundreds of bird species. I love taking pictures, so I personally appreciated the diverse wildlife which made for an excellent photo book of that trip. For sure, we saw most of the birds while hiking, so I'd suggest taking long walks or runs early in the morning to catch them up in the trees. Will return soon! - Review provided by RV Park Recommendations & Reviews Facebook Group