Map showing campground location near Augusta, Kansas

Camper submitted image from Santa Fe Lake

Santa Fe Lake

Santa Fe Lake offers electric, water, and sewer hookups alongside primitive camping options on this man-made lake near Augusta. The privately managed campground requires reservations and charges around $32 per night, with coin-operated showers available on-site.

A gravel road circles the lake, providing vehicle access to multiple camping areas. Several sites include direct water access with small launch spots for kayaks and canoes. The smaller size means fewer large boats, creating calmer water conditions for paddling. A swimming beach provides another water activity option, while mountain biking and hiking trails branch off from the main road in loops through both wooded areas and open fields.

The campground sits between the lake and the main entry road, with some sites positioned closer to traffic noise. "Although the lake is kinda gross," notes Carter W., many campers appreciate the proximity to Wichita for weekend trips. Cell service typically provides two bars, though no Wi-Fi is available. The facility prohibits alcohol officially, though enforcement appears minimal according to multiple reviews.

Fresh water fill-up is available at the office entrance, and a dump station serves RV campers. Both tent and RV sites accommodate various camping styles, with staff maintaining the grounds consistently throughout the season.

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Location

Private Campground

Santa Fe Lake is located in Kansas

Coordinates

37.70289538 N
97.05285118 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 4/17/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 4/17/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

20 min from Wichita, KS
1 hr 47 min from Topeka, KS
1 hr 51 min from Enid, OK
1 hr 58 min from Manhattan, KS

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the well-maintained sites and peaceful atmosphere at this smaller lake near Wichita. Staff received positive feedback, though some noted higher pricing and coin-operated facilities.

daisy

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2023

Great

It was easy thank you very much

SiteB4

Month of VisitMay

Silf G.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2023

Cute campground

Rent kayak, tent and rv friendly. Fishing and hiking. No Wi-Fi but there are usually two bars.

Sitenot sure

Month of VisitJune

Shaanti O.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2022

Pretty place, but pricey

It was $32 to stay the night, and the showers were coin-op. The view over the lake was gorgeous when we woke up, but we were sandwiched between the lake and the main entry road.

Sitetent site

Month of VisitJune

Carter W.

Guide

Reviewed May. 19, 2021

Just outside of town

Although the lake is kinda gross. This is a great spot for camping just outside of town if your from Wichita.

Month of VisitMarch

Nikki S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2020

Memories

I went to this lake a lot as a teen. My first camping trip a group of friends went out to camp for the night, and to swim at the beach.

B D.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2020

Quiet.

Quiet. Great trails to walk, hike and bike. Pricey. Privately owned.

Armaan M.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2019

Trail running and romantic sunsets

The main trail is composed of a gravel camping road that encircles the man made lake. The road is bike and vehicle friendly, though it seems only park vehicles are allowed. Several trails offshoot from this main road, each is marked for either hiking (trail running), mountain biking, or camping. Theres several large camping sites, and both the bike and hike routes seem to be loops that end back at the starting offshoot on the main road. None of the hikes are very difficult, most are easy/moderate and support running. They are very easy for hiking. Some bike routes are more difficult. Half are in woods with trees as low as 5ft over the trail, the other half go through open fields. Since there are many different routes to take, its easy to increase or decrease the distance. I had no trouble clearing four miles by running out, doing a trail (full loop) and running back. The loops aren't always possible to cut, so keep in mind that its sometimes hard to tell how far along a loop you are. Note that few of these trails have views of the lake; only the campgrounds, bench sites, and main trail/road are unobstructed to the water. There are several beautiful views of the small damn and the broken sections that create a little waterfall. The sunset in particular was really peaceful and easy to watch from the benches (perfect for a romantic picnic).

(18) View All

Helena P.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2018

Clean, quiet, family/dog friendly, affordable

This location is well maintained with multiple tent camping spots and a few electric. The owners take great pride in keeping it this way. The mountain bike trails as well as hiking trails are perfect for beginners to experts. It is large enough for wake but we love taking our kayaks out.

Month of VisitJuly

Marty D.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 31, 2018

Pretty basic but close to home

This is a nice smaller lake that is fairly close to Wichita. Great staff on board. Electric only but the office lets you fill your fresh water tank by the entrance and there is a dump station. Swim beach & great for tent camping. This was the first lake we went to as new RV owners.

Chris L.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017

Chill Little Lake

This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable. Our campsite had a nice little launch spot which made things super simple.

The only real downside is that there is no alcohol allowed, but nobody really came around checking that we noticed. We also didn't leave beer cans scattered all around so that probably helped.

Month of VisitSeptember

(4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours at Santa Fe Lake?

Specific operating hours for Santa Fe Lake aren't detailed in available information. As this is a privately owned campground, hours may vary by season. For the most accurate and current operating hours, contact the campground office directly before your visit. The campground does maintain staff on-site who can assist with check-in and provide information about the facilities.

What are the visitor reviews like for Santa Fe Lake camping?

Santa Fe Lake camping receives predominantly positive feedback. Campers appreciate the quiet environment with fewer large boats compared to busier lakes like Cheney and Afton, making it ideal for paddling and kayaking. The campground features both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, and visitors praise the well-maintained grounds and facilities. The lake offers swimming, fishing, and excellent hiking and mountain biking trails suitable for various skill levels. While some mention the lake water isn't pristine and camping fees are somewhat high ($32 per night), most find the experience worthwhile for its proximity to Wichita and peaceful setting.

Where is Santa Fe Lake located in Wichita, KS?

Santa Fe Lake is located just outside of Wichita, KS. While not directly within the city limits, it's described as being relatively close and convenient to reach from Wichita, making it popular for residents looking for a quick getaway. The lake is smaller than others in the area, offering a more intimate outdoor experience without needing to travel far from the city. For exact directions, check with the campground office or use GPS navigation to the official address.

Do I need to purchase tickets or permits for Santa Fe Lake?

Yes, you need to pay for access to Santa Fe Lake. The camping fee is $32 per night for sites, which some visitors consider somewhat pricey. Be aware that showers are coin-operated, requiring additional payment. The privately owned lake may also have day-use fees if you're just visiting for activities like kayaking, swimming, or hiking without camping. For kayak rentals and other amenities, additional fees likely apply.

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