Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Frenchman
Plumas National Forest, California
About this campground
Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra nevada Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton many forest roads to explore - take along a map, full tank and dependable vehicle During peak camping season, the campground offers a variety of outdoor experiences including hiking, biking, picnicking and hunti…
Frenchman Campground (5,700 feet) sites along the shores of its namesake lake, which boasts 21 miles of shoreline.
The campground offers single-family campsites for tent and RV camping.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.899722° N
- Longitude
- 120.186667° 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
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Firewood available
- 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
- Electric hookups
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 50 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sanitary dumpCommunity 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
Frenchman Campground (5,700 feet) sites along the shores of its namesake lake, which boasts 21 miles of shoreline. The campground is situated at the southeastern peninsula of the lake. Situated on a pine covered hillside overlooking the lake, this is the place for campers to get in tune with their surroundings. The lake is at the interface between the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and high desert. Frenchman Lake and the surrounding Plumas National Forest together provide ample opportunity for recreation, relaxation and adventure.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family campsites for tent and RV camping. Twelve of the campgrounds 38 campsites can be reserved during peak camping season. All other campsites may be taken on a 'First Come' basis. The campground remains open throughout the years. However, most winters include enough snow to keep the road closed.
Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are also provided.
Recreation
During peak camping season, the campground offers a variety of outdoor experiences including hiking, biking, picnicking and hunting. The nearby lake provides ample opportunities for swimming, boating, waterskiing, jet skiing and fishing. Frenchman Lake Boat Launching Facility and a day use area are near the campground. Winter activities range from ice fishing to snowmobiling.
Natural Features
As part of California's Plumas National Forest, the campground is located in northern California, between the rugged Sierra Nevada and the fringes of the Cascade ranges. The forest is home to hundreds of high alpine lakes and thousands of miles of clear-running streams.
Pine trees provide moderate to good shade in most sites. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area
Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra nevada
Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton
many forest roads to explore - take along a map, full tank and dependable vehicle
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming SiteSwimming
- Water SportsJet Skiing
- Winter SportsCross Country Skiing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Electric hookups
- Boat Ramp
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water (peak season)
- Firewood
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- Vault Toilets
- Water (Seasonal)
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
38 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 50 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
27 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 35 ft
- Check-in
- 0:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 0:00 AM, 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
- 1 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Food storage
- Frenchman's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Plumas National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- Frenchman's official facility record states: Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills.
- 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
- Oct 11, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 23, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 12, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Oct 12, 2027 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Oct 12, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Oct 12, 2028 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Oct 12, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- 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.
- Electric hookups are not available.
- Click here to learn more about the Plumas National Forest.
- 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 from the Campground Host. Wood collecting is allowed.
- OHV vehicles are not allowed on campground, and other facility roads.
- Campsites do not have bear resistant lockers.
- America the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only. They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
- 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 travel 5 miles to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue 8 miles to Frenchman Lake, turn right, cross the dam, and travel a mile to the campground.
Facility contact
530-836-2575