Frenchman
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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 38 |
| Host/management | 27 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
38 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 41 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 33 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 43 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers single-family campsites for tent and RV camping. Twelve of the campgrounds 38 campsites can be reserved during peak camping season. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Plumas National Forest |
| Booking | Sites can be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Call the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-8362575 for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only |
| Rules | 14 day camping limit. Maximum of 6 people per camp site. Maximum of 2 vehicles per camp site. OHV riding is not allowed in the campground. Be Bear Aware - store all food, trash and scented items appropriately |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Blairsden, California |
| Coordinates | 39.8997° N, 120.1867° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 29.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 41.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Frenchman Campground Plumas National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miFrenchman - Spring Cr Connect0.2 mi trail
- 0.4 miAndesite Trail0.1 mi trail
- 0.6 miSpring Cr - Big Cove Connect0.8 mi trail
- 0.7 miBig Cove Enabler Trail0.1 mi trail
- 4 miSnow Lake0.5 mi trail
- 4.4 miDiamond MT2.2 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Plumas National Forest begins about 7.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.4 miPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
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.
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.
Nearby
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
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Frenchman?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Frenchman?
Call the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-8362575 for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Frenchman?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Frenchman open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Frenchman have?
65 sites, including 38 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Frenchman?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Frenchman?
Yes, pets are allowed at Frenchman. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Frenchman?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 14 day camping limit.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Frenchman?
During peak camping season, the campground offers a variety of outdoor experiences including hiking, biking, picnicking and hunting. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Frenchman?
Blairsden, California. 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
Source: Getting there
What if Frenchman is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Spring Creek (0.6 mi), Big Cove (0.8 mi, partly first-come), and Chilcoot (2.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby