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 of dining and shopping options, galleries, grocery stores, gas stations, rafting outfitters and Jeep rentals. The drive to Moab, although 30 miles, takes about an hour to reach due to the mountainous, windy, gravel roads.

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.