Augusta’s dog-friendly Santa Fe Lake offers sandy beaches, hiking, biking, camping
A few weeks ago, someone living in the Kansas City area drove several hours to see the beautiful waterfall at Santa Fe Lake that they had discovered through photos posted on social media. The lake, 18 miles east of downtown Wichita, has what manager Rod Davis calls a “now leaving Kansas” waterfall area, but only when spring and fall rains provide the key ingredient.
More people are discovering Santa Fe Lake because of social media and because COVID-19 concerns are forcing many to look for places closer to home for day trips and overnights. In May and June, Davis had to turn people away to maintain safe numbers at the 450-acre property that regulars treasure for its well-maintained trails, sand beaches and 220-acre lake ideal for paddle sports.
Traffic slowed to a more manageable pace in July but remains above normal, Davis said. Families are swapping out-of-state vacations for camping at one of Santa Fe’s shoreline sites, bicycling groups meet here for weekly rides, paddlers rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks from Flatwater Fitness & Fun and season pass holders head out after work for an evening swim from one of the three beach areas, including one specifically for visitors with dogs.
“A lot of people have discovered us this year, even though we’ve been here 100 years,” Davis said.
Hiding in plain sight
Davis grew up 15 miles from the lake and drove Santa Fe Lake Road thousands of times before realizing there was a public recreational area available. He found out about it when he and his son were invited to a Boy Scout event that included a hike to the waterfall. When he returned a few days later to buy a season pass, he learned the couple managing the lake was about to retire. That was 17 years ago and he’s still running the lake with his wife Maggi and one other full-time employee to take care of the grounds.
The lake was built in the 1920s by the Santa Fe Railroad to supply water to steam locomotives at the station in Augusta, about 3 miles west of the lake. In 1957, the railroad gave the lake to the city of Augusta, which still owns it.
Davis thinks adjusting the name of the area would help people realize there’s more than just a lake available. Based on business this year, though, there’s not a big push to advertise. Davis said he decided against releasing a promotional video that was completed over the winter because traffic was overwhelming at times.
He estimates Santa Fe has about 75,000 visitor every year, including a few who travel as far as 100 miles to ride the bike trails that reopened about four years ago with help from the Kansas Singletrack Society.
Lake activities and more
As the lake nears 100 years old, the focus has shifted from motorized boating activity to natural activities including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and walking, running or biking on the trails. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed. The property is family-friendly and dog-friendly (leashes required).
A fee is required to access the property, which pays for the area to be staffed and maintained. A day pass is $8 per vehicle or a season pass is $50. There are additional fees to camp or if you’re bringing a boat, personal watercraft or gear such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
Flatwater Fitness & Fun operates next to the lake office, renting 30 paddleboards, six single kayaks and one tandem kayak. They operate daily through the summer; check their business Facebook page for wind conditions or weather that might impact their hours. Regular pricing is $20 for one hour, $35 for two hours and up to $125 for a full day. This summer they’ve offered $10 specials on Tuesdays for ages 17 and younger and $15 specials on Thursdays if you bring your dog.
It’s best to book online at flatwaterfitness.com and fill out the waiver form in advance for reduced contact at the lake. The website also has a calendar of instructional classes, sunset and sunrise tours and paddleboard yoga sessions.
There also are bicycle rentals at the lake. Wichita’s Bicycle Exchange shop donated one youth and five adult bicycles that are rented out in two-hour increments. The fees ($20/adults, $15/youth, family discount available) are used to improve trails on site.
There are about 7 miles of wooded trails shared by walkers, runners and bicyclists. The North Trail is a 4.8 mile loop and has signage for those on foot to go one direction and riders to go another direction. It’s mostly flat and considered good for beginning mountain bikers but interesting enough for advanced riders. The 1.6 mile South Trail is considered more technical for riders with steep climbs and fast descents.
Davis closes the trails when they are wet to keep them maintained. Watch the Santa Fe Lake Facebook page or santafelake.com for daily trail status.
There are picnic areas, some with shade, and facilities available for day guests. As a city-owned property, alcohol is not allowed.
For overnights, there are 28 RV sites, 45 tent sites and areas for group camping. Three years ago, Davis added a gated camping area that is farther away from day-use areas. It’s been popular and is based on an idea he saw at a park in North Carolina.
“In the offseason, my wife and I travel and we will hit national parks, state parks and private parks to bring back ideas,” Davis said. “It’s great to see what’s working for other people around the country and see how it can work at Santa Fe.”