Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

What a horrible place. We arrived at 7pm with no reservation and they said it was full and didn’t know anywhere else nearby, us with 2 kids and getting late, not needing any hook ups, he finally begrudgingly let us in. There was lots of free spaces! Charged us nearly $ 60 for a non hook up site. Cold showers.

Great facilities and campground. Unfortunately the ladies in the office have developed some sort of entitlement issue. They r pretentious, (with no right to be) and openly charge whatever they think you will pay (no set prices). Availability of spots is also completely their discretion (they pull the «there’s ONE SPOT @ _​_​_​_​_​per _​_​_​_​). They asked about the year and quality of our RV, as we were describing that ours is only 6k miles, with impeccable exterior and interior, she cut us off to state «I don’t care what the inside of your rig looks like, we just only take nice looking ones.» We decided that the muddy spot they offered us way above comparable prices was something we wanted to pass up. Could be a nice place to stay, but would rather find somewhere with a friendly staff.

WATERFRONT CABINS: I took my family here for a couple of days after Christmas and we had a great time! The best parts were the fire ring (we made smores!), relaxing on the front porch, and the three paddle boats available for the cabins to share. We also rent a double surrey bike which was fun and a work out! We didn’t get a chance to fish but we did walk down to a few playgrounds and let the kids play. I thought the main bed and bunk beds were pretty comfortable but the cot was pretty awful. The Wifi also didn’t work for half of our stay. All in all, I would recommend it!
PLAYGROUNDS/​SANTA at the LAKES: Last year, we had my son’s birthday party at the ADA playground and then went to the Santa at the Lakes Christmas festival. The playground was a great time! The Christmas festival was pretty fun too but some long lines which is tough for small kids.
SPRAYGROUND: Have been here numerous times. Buy $ 2 wristband for the kids at the front entrance at the same time you pay for parking ($ 3 weekday, $ 5 weekends). We always have a lot of fun. Only negative is the lack of shade!

We had reservation for a 7 night stay in our Motorhome.
After driving one way 650 miles one way my wife became very ill and we had to depart after our 2 night and return home.
The staff was anything but understanding, polite and would not as much as give us a credit for another time for the 5 days we had paid for!!!
The internet does not work as I tried several times to use to find a Health Clinic to take my wife to.
We will return to Vacationer RV Park in El Cajon, Ca next time.
We have stayed there many times in the past and had a absolutely positive experience with the staff, amenities and it’s very clean with great wifi! They don’t have the lakes and that’s ok!
They don’t «RIP YOU OFF» and truly care about there campers.
We thought we’d try Santee Lakes out this trip as we come yearly and had never stayed here.
NEVER AGAIN!!!
Reply back to Laura E.
That’s awful nice and big of of you to offer once we are gone and 1300 miles away with a time limit and days.
You say you have a 48 hour cancellation policy.
Then you should have refunded our last three days of the five left!!!
Instead you kept every penny of our Five days.
That does not sit very well with me.
Especially after all the communication the morning we were leaving with all your staff in the office.
Nobody would credit us for our five days nor refund us for the last three days, even after the 48 hour notice (which would have been the first two days) of the five days we had to depart early!

We were going to be in San Diego so I thought the floating water cabin would be a different and fun experience for my boys.
Here are the reasons I would not recommend this place to a friend:
1. The lakes are really small.
2. The wifi didn’t work and when I brought it up to an employee, all he said is, «Yes, we are having some trouble with the provider.»
3. You have to bring your own linens and towels. What a hassle.
4. The mattress on the bed and in the sofa seat were about the worst things we’ve ever slept on!
5. The heater was so loud that it woke us up every time it turned on.
6. It doesn’t really feel much like you’ve «escaped» to a tranquil lake. You can see houses around the lake and you can even hear and see cars from the road outside the Santee Lake Preserve.
7. Basically felt like we were sleeping in an RV. If you want that feel, you will be happy here.
If you want to stay here anyways even though I strongly suggest you just stay at a hotel, I would recommend that you stay at the waterfront cabins and not the floating water cabin because the waterfront cabins are bigger, there is more area around the cabin for the kids to run around, and there is a basketball court next to the to the waterfront cabins.

Great place to take a family camping. a nice campground, quiet, beautiful. I would recommend it to any friend and I would come here again.

We stayed here for the weekend with our RV. It was probably one of the cleanest RV parks we have ever been in. Besides our crotchety old neighbor that kept yelling at us for our dog being too close to their site (we were in 144) it was an over all great experience and will stay there again. Looks like some people stay there full time.

The people in the office are wonderful and they have been extremely helpful with all issues I have brought to their attention. However, after staying here off and on for 4 years, I have three complaints that people should know about.
The rangers and hosts do not enforce the rules equally. It appears that the weekend people can hang clothes, laundry and towels out, but long timers are prohibited. Crates and fences are not allowed, but as I write at this date, sites 184 and 186 all have fences and crates at their site. It is at the discretion of the rangers and hosts to determine what is allowed and what is not. The rules are not equally enforced. Many places are a real mess and it’s an eye sore to look at.
Second, is the internet. Last spring a new system was supposed to make the internet faster and convenient. It is worse. I have tried to get on this morning for three hours and finally at 8:30 in the morning I am able to write this review.
Lastly, the management does not respect the requests of the people who have extended stays. We have asked and signed petitions for a dog park, yet our wishes are not even addressed. The park goes out of the way to build pavilions and perks for the day timers, yet little is done for those who stay here longer.

We booked our getaway for Thursday through Sunday. Thursday night was good, we got partially set up, since it was late and dark, then we relaxed by he fire. Friday we spent most of the day getting settled in and setting our campsite and went swimming in the pool which was very nice then we went and bought 4 fishing licenses for Saturday. Saturday morning as we were getting ready to go fish, the «Rangers» that work at the Lakes came to our campsite and said that we were suppose to check out by noon because someone else was coming in. When I made the reservation I was very clear that we needed the campsite until Sunday. I even told them that I was never given a confirmation when I booked the reservation and had just purchased the fishing licenses for Saturday. Why would we have purchased the licenses if we were suppose to leave that day by noon???
We were forced to pack up our camper and all of our stuff and leave Santee Lakes without even using our fishing licenses. They were not even able to offer us an alternative spot. Our kids, my husband and I were all very disappointed. We thought it would have been nice for them to offer for us to stay and fish or swim or something but were just told that we needed to leave. We wont be back…

Beautiful, beautiful recreation preserve! I’ve never been out to Santee, mostly because I’m never in that area for food, activities, or shops. It’s only about 15 minutes from home, so not too bad, but came out for a birthday. Who knew there was such a beautiful lake/​preserve out here in hot-​as-​balls Santee?
It’s the perfect place to have a birthday party and there are areas you’re able to get in the water and enjoy a good cool down. The park also allows bounce houses, if that’s something you’re looking into for a party.

This is my favorite walking spot in San Diego county. It’s by no means strenuous, but it’s so much more pleasant than Lake Murray in the morning… not as crowded. Plus, my favorite part is that there are many *NICE* (well stocked and clean) restrooms. It has a wonderful family atmosphere and love the fact there are so many birds here. I try to make it here once a week and I always enjoy it. Never the same place twice.

This park is great for parties, a casual stroll, kids playtime, fishing, camping, you name it. I come for the play grounds and the sprayground. With a park packed with so many different features, I’ll share what I think of it so far:
Pros– well maintained, clean, nice and friendly staff, water side picnicking, plenty of sites to rent with tables and grills, several playgrounds with ranging ages, running water bathrooms, paddle boats and canoes, fishing, green grass, sand boxes, on site parking and walk in capabilities, lots of wildlife and shade trees, horseshoes and volleyball nets
Cons– entry fee for cars, steep rental prices, no swimming in the lakes, no spickets,

Spent some time at this cute splash park. Lots of fun for the kids between the splash park, lake, and play structure. Perfect for a hot day and just $ 3 per car.

Had a reservation to camp for 2 nights, but RV broke down on our way there last night. Bummed, but even more bummed after talking to Cindy the supervisor because she was very rude and had terrible customer service. She wouldn’t work with us to even give partial credit or anything. We lost our whole fee because «we didn’t cancel prior to 48 hours»…yes I get the rule and understand, but this wasn’t a cancellation for an invalid reason.
So disappointed.

My wife’s family had a birthday party this past weekend, and this place is actually pretty nice!
Like any other summer spot, get here early! We arrived around 10 AM on a Saturday and there was almost no immediate parking as soon as we drove in and paid at the entrance. There was probably another few hundred cars that came in, so clearly they must have a lot of other parking available in their other areas.
The lake itself was really clean and the camp grounds were really well-​maintained. The splash zone for kids got a little crazy, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I’m not a big nature/​camping kind of guy, but if my wife and I ever decide to go camping, we’re definitely gonna look at this place!

This is a beautiful lake/​park. I came here for a kid’s birthday party and found it to be a really nice venue for the party and many other recreational events. I believe spaces must be pre-​reserved.
There was a wedding reception taking place under the large gazebo that looked so cute. They had a dj, which turned out to be really convenient for us.
At the time, I noticed a sign advertising catfish season. Be sure to check out what’s biting and make a nice day out of it.
Note the entry is $ 5 (cash only)/car.

Came here on Tuesday with some friends to have a nice picnic and let the kids get their fish on. Parking was $ 3.00, Water Park band $ 2.00 each, fishing licence for children under 15 $ 6.00 each… watching them all succeed in catching their first fish? PRICELESS! This park is clean and their playground is very well maintained; their grills are cleaned out and usable. I was impressed. They have stepped things up since the last time I was here. This is not really a «True Fisherman’s» spot but it isn’t bad to just have a wonderful picnic day.
PS: Thanks God for a beautiful day as well.

Lake 5 is by far the most beautiful lake here at Santee Lakes, with the exception of all the trash that is left behind by the fisherman and partygoers. I really wish fishing was restricted to Lakes 1 through 4.
Weekdays are best, except for during the summer when the kids are out of school, as it is really nice and quiet. Weekends as you can expect can get very crowded.

Wonderful day of wholesome family fun.
This is one place every member of the family can love. I have two teenagers and their idea of fun is completely different from one another. One thing we can agree on is going to Santee Lakes. While my husband and little one likes to fish, my older daughter and I just like to lounge around in our tent and read. We hang out for the day, get to actually talk to one another, bring a picnic and just unwind; away from the iPad, TV and all the other screens taking over our lives.
Santee Lake is beautifully maintained, and as you can see the view from my tent is awesome! The park rangers are also really nice and helpful here. Another plus? They have dippin’ dots at the tackle shop! Nothing beats some dippin’ dots after a long day of fishing and relaxing. :)

I suppose I should start this off by revealing my fear of Lakes thanks to growing up on Jason & Friday The 13^th films. Something about tranquil peaceful secluded parts of town make me feel the opposite of relaxed, more like eerie and creeped out! I’m a city girl so the lack of sound doesn’t sit too well with me. That said, this lake itself didn’t give off creepy vibes as I had expected prior to arrival. It’s absolutely beautiful and the perfect little getaway from L.A.
We stayed on a Waterfront Cabin where each comes with a fire ring to build a cozy fire and pedal boats for a ride around the lake, a large front porch with patio table and chairs to relax and enjoy the view.
Each Cabin also includes:
A Barbeque grill /​Air conditioning and heating /​Flat screen TV’s /​a Full Kitchen with stove/​refrigerator. You just bring your own Linens, Pillows, Blankies, Towels & Toiletries. This isn’t a hotel after all.
It’s tons of fun for kids and families as most of them are out fishing (catch & release), and pedal boating around the lake. I enjoyed my stay here and would definitely return for a restful weekend trip.