Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Chilcoot
Plumas National Forest, California
About this campground
Chilcoot Campground (5,100 feet) is located just downstream from Frenchman Lake alongside Last Chance Creek.
Chilcoot Campground is one of five campgrounds in the popular Frenchman Lake Recreation Area of Northeastern California's Plumas National Forest.
The campground is far enough away from the lake that visitors can experience the serene sense of solitude that the remote mountain setting provides.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.865556° N
- Longitude
- 120.166111° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Boat-inCommunity report
- Walk-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
- Equestrian sitesCommunity report
- Group sitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Firewood available
- ADA access
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Electric hookups
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 40 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
Chilcoot Campground (5,100 feet) is located just downstream from Frenchman Lake alongside Last Chance Creek. The sound of flowing water along with shade from the surrounding pine and cottonwood forest are key features making this a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Chilcoot Campground is one of five campgrounds in the popular Frenchman Lake Recreation Area of Northeastern California's Plumas National Forest. The campground is far enough away from the lake that visitors can experience the serene sense of solitude that the remote mountain setting provides.
Facilities
The campground has 40 single-family tent and RV camp sites. Some sites are available for tent camping only. Fifteen campsites are available for reservations during peak camping season. All other campsites are available as 'First Come' sites as long as the campground is open. Paved roads, paved campsite parking, water, flush toilets, host, firewood and trash service are available during peak camping season. Tables, campfire rings and recently added bear resistant containers are provided at each campsite
Recreation
Frenchman Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Water sports including fishing, skiing, jet skiing, swimming are readily available supported by two boat launch facilities, several fishing access points and day use areas. Camping, picnicking hiking and exploring forest roads can each provide the type of adventure you are looking for. Dispersed camping (camping outside developed campgrounds) is not allowed in the recreation area. Winter activities range from snowmobiling to ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Natural Features
This campground is situated at the southern end of Last Chance Scenic Area. The scenic area is the result of Little Last Chance Creek cutting through ancient lava flows. This is the interface of desert and mountain climates characterized by less precipitation than areas to the west and more than areas to the east. Desert scrub grows alongside pine forest. A variety of wildlife make this area home.
Nearby Attractions
Chilcoot Campground is one of five campgrounds in the Frenchman Recreation Area.
Little Last Chance Scenic Area
Frenchman Lake is less than three miles from the campground.
Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra Nevada.
Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming SiteSwimming
- Water SportsWater Skiing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
Amenities and facility features
- Flush toilets
- Potable water
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Firewood
- Flush Toilets (Seasonal)
- Host
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- Water (Seasonal)
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
34 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific, Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 1 flagged accessible
Management
6 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific, Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Tent Only Non-Electric
1 site- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 35 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Reservation cutoff
- 4 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 8 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific food-storage rule. Check posted rules before leaving food, trash, toiletries, or scented items unattended.
- Fire and stove use
- Chilcoot's official facility record states: Tables, campfire rings and recently added bear resistant containers are provided at each campsite This campground is situated at the southern end of Last Chance Scenic Area.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Sep 28, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 23, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 28, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 28, 2026 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 28, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 28, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- This is not the same campground as Chilkoot in the Sierra National Forest
- Generally, campsites will accommodate 2 vehicles. The first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle fee will be collected onsite at the daily rate posted on the fee sign.
- America the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only. They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
- Off-road vehicles not permitted in the campground
- A variety of wildlife live in this area, including black bears. Before making a reservation, become aware of bear safety.
- Please go to the following link for more information: http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/Hiking_and_Camping/hiking_and_camping.html
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
- Firewood Bundles are for sale by Campground Hosts.
- Check- In is 2:00pm and Check-Out is Noon
- Campground Map
Getting there & contact
Official directions
From Reno, Nevada, travel north on Highway 395. Merge onto Highway 70 west and continue 5 miles to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue 5 miles to the campground.
Facility contact
530-836-2575