Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

About Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is a 190-acre park in Santee built around seven recycled water lakes stocked with sport fish. Visitors fish, boat, and camp at the preserve, which welcomes over 700,000 guests annually. The park includes cabin rentals, playgrounds, and walking trails through the grounds. The facility hosts special events and provides space for group rentals. Approximately 230 bird species inhabit the preserve, making it a destination for birding. Additional amenities include access to a golf course that uses water from the lakes. The preserve operates as a unique recreation area fed by recycled water from the Ray Stoyer Water Reclamation Facility, demonstrating water conservation while providing outdoor activities for families and individuals seeking camping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.