Big Cove
Big Cove Campground (5,700 feet) is located near the shores of Frenchman Lake in Northeastern California. Some families have been returning here for more than thirty years. Situated at the interface between the wild Sierra and the high desert, it's a perfect place to serve as hub for a wide range of recreation opportunities. Plumas National Forest has many back roads open for exploration. Take advantage of the beautiful blue waters of Frenchman Lake for boating, fishing and other water sports. Tell stories around your campfire.
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 | 39 |
| Host/management | 28 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | 16 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | 16 / 4 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | |
| 004 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | ||
| 008 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 | |
| 009 | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
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 | 95 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites 000, 001, 002, 004 and 25 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers single and double family campsites for tent and RV camping. Accessible campsites are available. Fifteen of the 38 campsites can be reserved during peak season. All other campsites may be taken as 'First Come' sites. All 'First Come' sites must be occupied on the first night rented. Big Cove Campground also offers coin operated showers, accessible flush toilets, drinking water, trash bins and paved roads during peak camping season. An RV dump station is located nearby, at Cottonwood Springs Campground.
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 |
| Fees | Call the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575 for information |
| Rules | 14-day camping limit. OHV riding is not allowed in the campground. Be Bear Aware, store food, trash and all scented items appropriately |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Reno, Nevada, take Highway 395 north for 24 miles. Merge onto State Rout 70 west and continue for 5 miles to the town of Chilcoot. Turn right on State Rout 284 and continue for 8 miles to Frenchman Lake. Cross the dam and proceed 2 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 39.9019° N, 120.1725° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Dispursed camping is not allowed in the recreation area.
Charges and cancellations
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes are accepted for single family sites and not for double sites.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 29 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 41.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Cove Campground - Plumas National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miSpring Cr - Big Cove Connect0.8 mi trail
- 0.2 miBig Cove Enabler Trail0.1 mi trail
- 0.6 miFrenchman - Spring Cr Connect0.2 mi trail
- 1.1 miAndesite Trail0.1 mi trail
- 3.5 miSnow Lake0.5 mi trail
- 3.6 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 8.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.2 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
Just experiencing the drive into the Frenchman Lake Recreation Area is worth the trip. Little Last Chance Creek has eroded through ancient lava flows to produce this very scenic canyon known as the Little Last Chance Scenic Area. At the interface of desert and mountain climates, this area gets less precipitation than areas to the west and more precipitation than areas east. Desert scrub grows alongside pine forest. Some campsites overlook the lake's blue waters and nearby meadows.
Recreation
Little Last Chance Creek offers plenty of streamside recreation including fishing, nature viewing, photography and just relaxing. Frenchman Lake provides the perfect location for swimming, boating, lake fishing, skiing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and canoeing. The entire recreation area and surrounding National Forest is available for nature viewing, photography, picnicking, hunting, biking or exploring forest roads.
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 and a full gas tank.
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 Big Cove?
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 Big Cove?
Call the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575 for information
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Cove?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Cove open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Cove have?
67 sites, including 39 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Cove?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Big Cove?
Big Cove Campground also offers coin operated showers, accessible flush toilets, drinking water, trash bins and paved roads during peak camping season.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Big Cove?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Cove. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Big Cove?
Sites 000, 001, 002, and 004 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 29 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Cove?
Little Last Chance Creek offers plenty of streamside recreation including fishing, nature viewing, photography and just relaxing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Cove is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Spring Creek (0.5 mi), Frenchman (0.8 mi, partly first-come), and Chilcoot (2.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby