Santee Lakes

About Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts over 670,000 visitors a year. The 190‐acre park located in Santee has 7 beautiful recycled water lakes that are stocked with sport fish year-round.

The Park provides amenities including camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, special events, playgrounds, walking trails, and approximately 230 bird species.

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is owned and operated by Padre Dam Municipal Water District. It is self‐sustaining, receiving no funds from water/sewer ratepayers or taxpayer subsidies.

The Park operates from user fees, grants and awards and collaborations with community groups and organization partnerships.

 FISHING

Our 7 lakes are stocked with Catfish and Rainbow Trout on a seasonal basis. Bass and Bluegill are also prevalent in the Lakes. Lakes 1 through 5 are for day use fishing, while Lakes 6 through 7 are for registered campers.

No State fishing license required; a permit from the General Store is all you need!

CABINS

The Lakefront Cabins each have a fire ring to build a cozy fire and pedal boats for a ride around the lake. The three Floating Cabins have the same indoor amenities but also include a private pedal boats, and a large front porch with patio table and chairs to sit and fish from the front of your Cabin or just relax and enjoy the view!

Each Cabin includes:

Barbecue grill
Air conditioning and heating
Flat screen television
Bathroom
Kitchen with a refrigerator
Stovetop

**Floating cabins do not have a fire ring like the lakefront cabins**

While you’re in the area, make sure to visit the Kumeyaay Lake & Campground nearby!

CAMPGROUND

If you live up north follow the ducks and migrate to Santee Lakes for the winter. If you already live in sunny San Diego, then bring the kids for a weekend or a week. Our award winning Campground is nestled in the foothills of Santee, just 20 minutes from San Diego’s big attractions.

Choose from 300 full hook-up campsites, all having free WiFi and some with cable TV. Campers get exclusive fishing in Lakes 6 & 7, which are not open to day use guests.

Also, when you camp at Santee Lakes, you are choosing a facility that is dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment. More than 4 acres of solar panels located on our property provide enough power to meet almost 50% of the entire Park and Campground needs! Our facility was recently awarded the national Plan-it Green Award for our environmental efforts!

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I am floored that I never knew this place existed until recently.  7 amazing lakes all back to back in San Diego, what?!  This place is great for so many experiences.  You can fish, boat, camp, lodge, play, have a wedding or event and so much more! What are you waiting for?

The floating cabins:

And the poolside area for guests:

RV section: