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Established Camping

Warner Lake

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit charcoal fires, wood-burning camp stoves, and charcoal grills. Only gas or propane stoves are permitted.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Warner Lake, near Moab, Utah, is a charming campground tucked away in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, perfect for those seeking a break from the heat of the lower elevations. With its cool mountain air and stunning aspen groves, it’s a refreshing escape that many campers rave about.

The sites here are cozy and well-spaced, each equipped with a fire ring and grill, making it easy to enjoy evenings around the campfire. Visitors have noted the abundance of wildlife, particularly the curious deer that wander through the area, adding a touch of nature’s charm to your stay. As one camper put it, “If you like aspens, chirping birds, curious deer, and...relief from lower elev heat, give a visit.”

For outdoor enthusiasts, Warner Lake is a gateway to fantastic hiking trails that lead you into the breathtaking La Sal Mountains. The nearby lake offers a picturesque backdrop, especially with Mount Haystack looming in the distance. Reviewers have highlighted the beauty of the area, especially during the fall when the foliage is vibrant and the scenery is simply stunning.

While the campground lacks some modern amenities, like drinking water and showers, it makes up for it with its serene atmosphere and natural beauty. Campers appreciate the clean vault toilets and the need to pack out their trash, which helps maintain the pristine environment. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with plenty of opportunities for exploration, Warner Lake is definitely worth a visit.

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Location

Warner Lake is located in Utah

Detail location of campground

Directions

ATTENTION: For 2024 and 2025 access to the Warner Lake Campground will be affected by road construction in San Juan County. Please access the Campground via the River Road or Sand Flats Road (See below.) The paved route is longer but paved up to the Warner Lake CG turn off while the dirt route is shorter but on a rougher dirt road which is accessible to 2WD vehicles but AED or 4WD is recommended. Paved Route (Official Detour Route): From Moab head north on Highway 191 to the junction of Highway 128, (aka the River Road.) Turn right (East) and continue for about 15 miles until you get to the Castleton/Gateway Road. Turn Right (South) on the Castleton/Gateway Road and continue straight for about 10 miles to the junciton of the La Sal Loop Road. Turn Right (South) again and continue straight for another 10 or so miles until you reach the turn off for Warner Lake CG. Turn left (ENE) and drive on a washboarded gravel road to the campground. Dirt Road Route: From Moab, head south on Highway 191. When you hit the stoplight of 4th East, turn left (North). Drive about .75 miles to Mill Creek Road and turn right (East). Continue to the next Stop Sign at the junction of Sand Flats Road. Stay straight and stay on Sand Flats Road for about 1.5 miles to the Entrance Station at Sand Flats Recreation Area. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY AN ENTRY FEE IF YOU ARE HEADED UP TO THE FOREST SERVICE OR THE CAMPGROUND--TELL THEM YOU ARE HEADED UP TO WARNER LAKE CG. Continue on Sand Flats Road for about 18 miles until you get to the La Sal Loop road junction. Turn Right (South) for about 2.5 miles until you get to the Warner Lake Turn off and turn left on to the washboarded gravel road and drive about 5 miles to the Campground. This road is rocky, heavily washboarded, and rough, high clearance, 4WD is recommended. Construction Closure Route: From Moab, the fastest access (about 1 hour) to Warner Lake Campground is by driving south on Highway 191. Drive 7.8 miles south of Moab and turn east (left) onto Old Airport Road (sign has arrow to La Sal Loop Road, National Forest Access). Turn south (right) at the T-intersection with the Spanish Valley Drive/La Sal Mountain Loop Road (sign has arrows pointing to La Sal Mtn. Loop Rd and Ken's Lake). Continue 13.5 miles to the Warner Lake turnoff. Turn east (right) and drive 5 miles to the campground and cabin on this gravel road. THIS IS ONLY OPEN before 0830, after 1730 hours (5:30 pm) and on weekends. Please be aware the some GPS or driving apps are giving the wrong information and directing people on 4WD roads or to locked gates. Make sure your directions are accurate before following them--when in doubt look for Forest Service directional signs.

Coordinates

38.5202 N
109.2762 W

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2024

Gem

Small USFS campground. If you like aspens, chirping birds, curious deer, and...relief from lower elev heat, give a visit. A few FF spots can fit campers 25' or less, bring extra blocks to level.

Great hiking right out of the CG.

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by MARC C., July 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by MARC C., July 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by MARC C., July 15, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2021

Absolutely beautiful!

I arrived on a Thursday afternoon at about 130 and the place was not even half full. The sites are on the small side but are very nicely spaced apart. The last 5 miles are on a winding gravel road that’s not real impressive scenery wise but as you come into the campground you enter a beautiful stand of aspens!

Site13
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Kim N., August 12, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2021

Cool temps, Clean, Expensive

This campsite is a perfect getaway from the heat in Moab. There is a hand pump water station but the water has a lot of sediment so it is not recommended for drinking. Each campsite has a large locker for your food and trash. There are no dumpsters so be prepared to pack everything out. Also there were deer everywhere at this campground, especially close to the lake. They are not afraid of people and will poke around your site at night when you are in your tent. Overall a very nice place to stay but only 4 stars because $20 a night for a campground without electricity and bathrooms without plumbing is very expensive.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Mar. 5, 2021

Tucked away and beautiful

Up in the mountains above Moab, so temperatures are much cooler. There were lots of trees, and shade and the sites were nice and flat with tables and fire rings. The lake is just past the campground and there are a couple of great hikes near the entrance, one of which takes you up to 10k ft elevation with amazing views. The road to get in was a bit washboarded but an easy enough drive. Loved staying here!

  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Alex P., March 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Alex P., March 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Alex P., March 5, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2019

Beautiful

I camped here in September 2019 as a home base while exploring the Moab area. Loved it. For some it may too far outside of Moab - takes about 50 minutes to get to and from - but it was a nice break from the crowds and the leftover heatof the summer. It's at 9,000+, so temps are much cooler, and in late September they were in the low 30s at night.  When i was there the campground was not even half full over the weekend, which surprised me. (I am sure it is a different story during the summer). Sites are spacious with a fire ring (with grate/grill) and picnic table. My particular site (#18) could have fit at least two tents, maybe three (if smaller). There are two vault toilet sites for different sides of the campground.  The ones I used were clean (as clean as vault toilets ever are) and had ample TP.  There are no bear lockers, so you have to lock everything back up in your car at night. Most of the road on the way to the site is paved (La Sal Loop Road) - it's only the last 5 miles on the turn off to the campground that are not, but it is graded gravel/dirt and not a problem (I posted a photo of the road to this page). I drive a small SUV with AWD, but a sedan could make it just fine. The campground is located in a huge aspen grove and is absolutely silent at night (except for the bugling elk that freaked me out around 2am…). If you are counting on the aspens being golden in the fall, they are about two weeks behind the peak in Colorado (fwiw...according to some locals I spoke with).  All in all I am looking forward to coming back here on a future trip.  Really great spot.

Site#18
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Christina S., October 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Christina S., October 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Christina S., October 4, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2018

Quiet, amazing views, entrance to the La Sal.

Warner is a beautiful campground with well maintained sites. For just 5$ a night you get a drive in spot complete with a fire pit and grill, as well as a picnic table. Most sites can accommodate 2 cars and 2 tents. The aspen groves surrounding the campsites are beautiful and the sound of the leaves quaking will lull you to sleep. The vault toilet is almost always clean and usually has a little air freshener in it (thanks kind folks!). A cabin is also for rent at Warner, it’s an old forest service guard station, a small peek inside definitely grabbed my curiosity and I hope to rent it soon. From the campgrounds a short walk leads you to the actual lake which is small but impressive, especially with MT. Haystack looming right behind it. On a clear day the lines between sky, water, mountain, and forest seem to blur into a perfect blend. From here you have so many trail options for hiking, equestrian, and MTB! The Gold Knob trail heads to the North, you have the Oowah-Warner trail which connects you to the majestic green Oowah lake, and several more that take you deep into the La Sal mountains. I stay here often and would recommend it to anyone looking to cool down, get some peace and quiet, and to anyone trying to get their hike on!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Zoë L., June 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Zoë L., June 14, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2016

Beautiful! Fall foliage is amazing.

If you're lucky enough to visit the Moab area in fall, make sure Warner Lake Campground is on your list. We stayed in mid October and it was unbelievably beautiful (although crisp at night...). If you are new to the area, be sure you double check your map before heading out to the campground, there are two ways to get to Warner Lake, and neither are particularly quick.

  • Review photo of Warner Lake by Valerie , September 1, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Warner Lake Campground in Utah?

Warner Lake Campground offers drive-in sites equipped with fire pits, grills, and picnic tables for $5 per night. Each site includes a large food locker for secure storage. The campground has a hand pump water station, though the water contains sediment and isn't recommended for drinking. There are no dumpsters, so visitors must pack out all trash. The campground is surrounded by beautiful aspen groves and provides access to hiking trails. Most sites can accommodate two cars and two tents. Be prepared for cooler temperatures as the campground sits at over 9,000 feet elevation.

What do reviews say about Warner Lake Campground?

Warner Lake Campground is widely appreciated for its beautiful setting among aspen groves, well-maintained sites, and peaceful atmosphere. The campground serves as an excellent escape from Moab's heat with its 9,000+ foot elevation providing significantly cooler temperatures. Sites are nicely spaced apart, flat, and feature tables and fire rings. Visitors particularly enjoy the fall colors. The small USFS campground attracts wildlife like curious deer and chirping birds. Great hiking trails are accessible directly from the campground, including one that reaches 10,000 feet elevation. The nearby lake enhances the scenic appeal.

Are there cabins available at Warner Lake Campground?

No, Warner Lake Campground does not offer cabins. The campground provides drive-in tent sites that can typically accommodate two tents and two vehicles. Some sites can fit small campers under 25 feet, though leveling blocks are recommended. For those seeking more substantial shelter in the area, looking into accommodations in Moab or contacting the U.S. Forest Service about alternative options in the La Sal Mountains would be advisable.

How do I get to Warner Lake Campground near Moab?

Warner Lake Campground is located in the La Sal Mountains, approximately 50 minutes from Moab. The last 5 miles to the campground are on a winding gravel road. While the journey may not offer spectacular views along this final stretch, the scenery dramatically improves upon reaching the campground area. It's important to check your map carefully before heading out, as the location can be tricky to find for first-time visitors. The campground sits at over 9,000 feet elevation, providing a cool retreat from Moab's heat. Double-check directions before departing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area.