How much does camping cost at Warner Valley Campground?

Camping fees at Warner Valley Campground range from $21/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Warner Valley Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Warner Valley Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Warner Valley Campground before I book?

Yes! Warner Valley Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Warner Valley Campground?

Warner Valley Campground is open June 12 to October 12. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Warner Valley Campground?

Warner Valley Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Warner Valley Campground have?

Warner Valley Campground has 21 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Warner Valley Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Warner Valley Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Warner Valley Campground?

Warner Valley Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Warner Valley Campground?

Popular activities at Warner Valley Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Warner Valley Campground

3.38

38 reviews

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,659 ft

Price

$21/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Ortega Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,659 ft

Price

$21/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Ortega Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Warner Valley Campground

$21.00 - $21.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric: $21.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

877-622-0221tgarcia@ortegaparks.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Warner Valley Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

Warner Valley Campground

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

Nearby places

Chester (17 miles, approximately 25 minutes)

Driving directionsThe campground is located one mile north of Warner Valley Ranger Station via gravel road and 17 miles north of Chester. From CA-36 in Chester, turn onto Feather River Road (on the east side of the bridge). Continue a half mile and veer left onto CR-312. Continue 4 miles and veer right to stay on CR-312. Follow signs to Drakesbad. Continue 12.5 miles to Warner Valley Campground and Day Use Area. RVs and trailers not recommended due to steep, rutted gravel access road.

Weather at Warner Valley Campground

Current alert: RVs and trailers not recommended due to steep, rutted gravel access road.

Best Time to Camp at Warner Valley Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to Warner Valley's trails and volcanic features — expect warm, dry days (typically mid-60s to low-80s°F / 18–28°C) and cool nights (30s–40s°F / 0–9°C) ideal for evening fires and star‑gazing. This is peak hiking season when high‑elevation wildflowers, clear vistas of Cascade domes and Sierra ridgelines, and accessible hydrothermal areas are at their best. Crowd levels are moderate in July–August (reservations recommended) but thin out in, & Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

June–Sept window with most stable weather; peak season for trails and access.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 12 to October 12. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open for reservations from June 16, 2025, to October 13, 2025.

About Warner Valley Campground

Warner Valley Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Lassen Volcanic National Park, operated by Ortega Parks and serving as a trailhead hub for Devil's Kitchen and Boiling Springs Lake. The small campground offers tent sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Hikers come for direct access to volcanic features and wildflower-studded trails beneath Cascade domes and Sierra ridgelines.

Warner Valley Campground offers standard nonelectric campsites suitable for tent camping. RVs and trailers are not recommended due to the steep and rutted access road.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to Warner Valley's trails and volcanic features — expect warm, dry days (typically mid-60s to low-80s°F / 18–28°C) and cool nights (30s–40s°F / 0–9°C) ideal for evening fires and star‑gazing. This is peak hiking season when high‑elevation wildflowers, clear vistas of Cascade domes and Sierra ridgelines, and accessible hydrothermal areas are at their best. Crowd levels are moderate in July–August (reservations recommended) but thin out in, & Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation5659 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThis is where the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin converge. Volcanic domes rise from the forest, slopes marked by old lava flows and eruption deposits. Hydrothermal features dot the valley. Steam vents and mud pots are a short hike away. The geology creates diverse habitat zones: alpine wildflower meadows transition to old-growth forest. Clear streams run through the valley, some warmed by underground thermal activity. The convergence of three mountain systems means you'll see landscape variety you don't get elsewhere in the park.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is provided within the campground itself.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are specified.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 nights.

Groups

No group camping facilities are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as small by one reviewer.

PrivacySites are reportedly close together, with limited privacy.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near hiking trails and scenic features like Devil's Kitchen and Boiling Lake are highly recommended.

Need help booking Warner Valley Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Warner Valley Campground provides vault toilets and potable water spigots. The campground offers basic amenities suitable for campers looking for a simpler experience. It includes fire pits, picnic tables, and food storage lockers at the campsites. User reviews highlighted that the vault toilets were seasonal and in some cases not well-maintained, with complaints about cleanliness.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Hiking is the primary recreational activity at Warner Valley Campground. The campground offers access to trails leading to unique features such as Devil’s Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake, and Terminal Geyser. Nearby wildlife and natural volcanic features enhance the outdoor experience.

Hiking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers provided, but some reviews mention usability issues such as warped doors and hard-to-use latches.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Warner Valley Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

3.4

38 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Warner Valley Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews provide a mixed picture of Warner Valley Campground. While the campground’s proximity to hiking trails and natural attractions received praise, numerous complaints were raised regarding maintenance and limited amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 38 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 38 reviews.

Campsite 8Loved
Campsite 8 received high praise for its cleanliness and proximity to trails.
Campsite 14Issues noted
Campsite 14 received several complaints about maintenance issues, including non-functional water spigots and problematic bear boxes.

What Campers Love

Many reviewers appreciated the campground's proximity to hiking trails and natural volcanic features. Specific highlights include 'great positioning for lovely hikes' and 'quiet campground with...

Based on 38 reviews

Common Concerns

The most frequent complaints included the poor condition of vault toilets, lack of toilet paper, and maintenance issues such as bear boxes with warped doors and non-functional water spigots. One user...

Based on 38 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing your own toilet paper and being prepared for basic facilities. One user suggested, 'BYO toilet paper!' Another mentioned that the 'road in is rough but it’s worth it.'

Based on 38 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Vault toilets and water spigots were noted as seasonal amenities. User experiences may vary depending on the maintenance during peak seasons.

Based on 38 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Greatly enjoyed the hike to Devil’s Kitchen, then Boiling Lake and Terminal Geyser.' 2. 'Quiet campground with friendly people.' 3. 'The toilets were immaculate.' 4. 'The road in is rough but...

Based on 38 reviews