About WARNER LAKE
Overview Warner Lake Campground and Cabin are located high in the La Sal Mountains at an elevation of 9,400 feet, next to beautiful Warner Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking and exploring many local trails. Recreation The lake offers rainbow trout fishing, canoeing and kayaking. An extensive trail system is located around Warner Lake, encompassing the Trans-Mountain Trail, Miners Basin Trail, Warner Lake-Oowah Lake Trail, Burro Pass Trail and Dry Fork-Beaver Basin Trail. A trailhead is located in the campground, and many others are available in the surrounding area. Facilities Warner Lake boasts a campground and a rustic cabin. The campground contains one group site that can accommodate up to 50 people; several single-family sites are also available. Picnic tables, campfire rings and utility tables are provided, as are vault toilets. Roads and parking spurs within the site are gravel. The two-room cabin can sleep four people on two sets of bunk beds with mattresses. Linens and bedding are not provided. The kitchen is equipped with a propane stove/oven, solar powered lighting, table and chairs. and patio furniture. While the cabin has basic kitchenware, guests are encouraged to bring their own cooking supplies including basic staples and water. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located outside the cabin. There is a 14 day stay limit at this campground. Natural Features A dense forest of aspens provides partial shade and spectacular autumn color. The lake and precipitous, 11,634' Haystack Mountain are visible from a few campsites and the front porch of the cabin. Short foot trails lead to the shore. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (435) 259-7155. Nearby Attractions Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are close enough to Warner Lake for a day trip. Both parks contain breathtaking desert scenery, natural sandstone arches and numerous hiking trails. The town of Moab is less than 30 miles away, offering a range
How to Get There
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 mi
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to WARNER LAKE
Heading to WARNER LAKE? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for WARNER LAKE?
No central reservation system listed for WARNER LAKE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232404) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to WARNER LAKE?
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. …
How do I contact WARNER LAKE?
You can reach the park at phone: 435-636-3360.
References & Official Resources
