Warner Valley Campground

3.55

38 reviews

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

Quick Facts

5,659 ft

Price

$21/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Ortega Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

5,659 ft

Price

$21/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Ortega Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Warner Valley Campground

$21.00 - $21.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The nightly rate for standard nonelectric sites during peak season (June 16, 2025 - October 13, 2025) is $21. This does not include discounts, taxes,...

Standard Site Fee$21.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

877-622-0221tgarcia@ortegaparks.com

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What Campers Say

3.55

Mixed Reviews

Based on 38 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quiethikinglakefriendly

"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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

Warner Valley Campground

Chester Warner Valley Rd, Chester, CA 96020

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.

The road access is described as steep and rutted gravel roads, making RVs and trailers not recommended. Seasonal closures may affect certain routes within the park.

Nearby places

Chester (17 miles, approximately 25 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Drakesbad Guest Ranch (half a mile away) provides dining facilities, but other essential supplies locations are not specified.

Best Time to Camp at Warner Valley Campground

Summer transforms Warner Valley into a camper's paradise, where warm days give way to cool, star-filled nights perfect for campfire stories. The peak season brings reliably dry conditions and comfortable temperatures that invite long days of hiking and exploration. As autumn approaches, crisp mornings hint at the coming transformation, when winter's arrival closes access to certain trails and roads, wrapping the valley in a peaceful blanket of snow and solitude. Smart campers plan their visits during the golden months of June through September, when the full splendor of the park reveals itself under clear mountain skies.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open in summer; warm days, cool starry nights and accessible trails make summer ideal.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Open through Oct 13; cooler, quieter conditions but shorter season and fewer services.

Spring(Mar-May)

Not recommended

Campground opens June 16; spring season is outside operating dates.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed outside June 16–Oct 13; winter stays not supported.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 16, 2025 - October 13, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open for reservations from June 16, 2025, to October 13, 2025.
Current Alerts: Park closures affecting Lassen National Park Highway, Bumpass Hell Trail, and Juniper Lake Road due to snow, ice, and fire damage.

About Warner Valley Campground

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Warner Valley Campground offers an authentic wilderness experience where modern amenities meet untamed nature. This thoughtfully designed campground provides essential comforts including vault toilets and fresh drinking water from convenient spigots, while maintaining the rugged charm that draws adventurers seeking solitude. As your basecamp for exploration, Warner Valley opens doors to an extensive network of trails that wind through volcanic landscapes, leading intrepid hikers to hidden hot springs, serene mountain lakes, and breathtaking vistas that showcase the raw power of our planet's geothermal forces.

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.

Historical SignificanceStanding as a testament to the Earth's fiery temperament, Lassen Peak holds the distinction of being the southernmost active volcano in the majestic Cascade Range. This sleeping giant made headlines as the most recent Cascade volcano to awaken before Mount Saint Helens stole the spotlight, reminding us that beneath the serene mountain landscapes lies a powerful force that has shaped this land for millennia. The volcanic legacy permeates every aspect of the Warner Valley experience, from the mineral-rich soils that nourish unique plant communities to the bubbling hot springs that have drawn visitors for generations.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Warner Valley into a camper's paradise, where warm days give way to cool, star-filled nights perfect for campfire stories. The peak season brings reliably dry conditions and comfortable temperatures that invite long days of hiking and exploration. As autumn approaches, crisp mornings hint at the coming transformation, when winter's arrival closes access to certain trails and roads, wrapping the valley in a peaceful blanket of snow and solitude. Smart campers plan their visits during the golden months of June through September, when the full splendor of the park reveals itself under clear mountain skies.

ElevationWarner Valley Campground sits at a carefully chosen elevation that balances accessibility with the authentic mountain experience, though specific elevation details await your discovery upon arrival. This strategic positioning places campers in the sweet spot where diverse ecosystems converge, offering glimpses of both lower elevation forests and higher alpine environments within easy reach.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living laboratory where the Earth reveals its inner workings through dramatic displays of volcanic power. Warner Valley serves as your front-row seat to nature's most captivating theater, where churning mud pots bubble like witches' cauldrons and steam vents exhale the Earth's ancient breath. This geothermal wonderland supports an astonishing tapestry of life, from wildflower meadows that explode with color each spring to dense forests where black bears forage and mountain lions prowl. The volcanic soils nurture rare plant species found nowhere else, while crystal-clear streams cascade through the valley, their waters warmed by underground thermal features that create unique aquatic habitats.

Geological RegionWarner Valley Campground occupies one of the most geologically fascinating crossroads in North America, where three mighty mountain systems converge in a spectacular collision of landscapes. Here, the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Mountains meet the granite spires of the Sierra Nevada and the vast expanses of the Great Basin, creating a unique environment where diverse geological forces have crafted a playground for the curious. Active volcanic domes rise from the forest floor, their slopes scarred by ancient lava flows and painted with deposits from countless eruptions. Hydrothermal features dot the landscape like nature's own chemistry set, while this remarkable convergence of geological provinces has created an extraordinary mosaic of habitats that support everything from alpine wildflowers to old-growth forests.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

11:00 AM

Check-out

12:00 PM

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

Site layoutSingle loop layout accessible via Warner Valley Road.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability starts on June 20, 2025, but specific details about the number of sites or fill patterns are not provided.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations made before the scheduled arrival date are subject to a $10 fee along with forfeiture of the first night's use fee. Late cancellations for one-night reservations will forfeit the full payment.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned.

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.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

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.

HikingSeveral hiking trails are accessible directly from the campground. Popular hikes include the trails to Devil’s Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake, and Terminal Geyser. Visitors highly praised these trails for their scenic beauty and proximity to hydrothermal features.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoads are steep and rutted. Wildlife precautions include using bear boxes for food storage.

Active AlertsPark closures affecting Lassen National Park Highway, Bumpass Hell Trail, and Juniper Lake Road due to snow, ice, and fire damage.

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

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted in designated fire pits.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are not explicitly mentioned in the authoritative content.

Trash & RecyclingNo specific information on trash or recycling facilities is provided.

Water FeaturesBoiling Lake and Terminal Geyser are accessible via trails from the campground.

Camp HostNo camp host available at Warner Valley Campground.

Weather at Warner Valley Campground

Reviews

3.6

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

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

Site-Specific Reviews

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

Based on 38 reviews