Santee Lakes Campground anchors the 190-acre Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve on Fanita Parkway, surrounding seven recycled-water lakes with 300 full-hookup RV campsites and ten rental cabins — seven lakefront and three floating directly on Lake 7. The preserve stocks more than 35,000 pounds of catfish and rainbow trout seasonally across its lakes, requiring only an on-site permit rather than a California state fishing license, and the same outdoor-recreation audience picks up rods, tackle, and camping provisions at Sportsman's Warehouse in Santee Town Center. Established by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District as a water-reclamation showpiece, the preserve now draws over 670,000 visitors per year and operates on a system that is 50 percent solar-powered. Amenities span seven playgrounds including a Sprayground splash pad, two swimming pools with one heated year-round, pedal boat rentals, and over five miles of multi-use trails for walking, running, and cycling. More than 230 documented bird species inhabit the preserve — from great blue herons and snowy egrets to osprey — and the morning coffee run for campers extends to nearby Carlton Hills retailers including Bowls N Brews at 9292 Carlton Hills Boulevard. Each full-hookup campsite includes 30/50-amp electrical service, water, sewer, a picnic table, a fire ring, and free Wi-Fi, with select premium lakefront sites on Lakes 6 and 7 adding cable television connections reserved exclusively for overnight guests.