Chilcoot
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.
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 | 34 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| Host/management | 5 |
Site guide
35 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tent only | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | |||
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Site 003 is listed accessible |
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. 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
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 for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only |
| Rules | 14 day camping limit. 6 people per campsite, 12 people for double sites. 2 vehicles per campsite. OHV riding is not allowed. Store food, trash and scented items appropriately - Be Bear Aware |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Coordinates | 39.8656° N, 120.1661° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Dispersed camping (camping outside developed campgrounds) is not allowed in the recreation area.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 26.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 44 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Chilcoot Campground - Plumas National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 2.2 miSpring Cr - Big Cove Connect0.8 mi trail
- 2.3 miSnow Lake0.5 mi trail
- 2.3 miFrenchman - Spring Cr Connect0.2 mi trail
- 2.4 miAndesite Trail0.1 mi trail
- 2.7 miBig Cove Enabler Trail0.1 mi trail
- 3.7 miChilcoot0.3 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 8.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.7 miPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
- 14 miTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 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
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.
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. Winter activities range from snowmobiling to ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Nearby
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.
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 Chilcoot?
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 Chilcoot?
Call the Beckwourth Ranger District for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chilcoot?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chilcoot open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Chilcoot have?
40 sites, including 34 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chilcoot?
The longest site here provides 40 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 there showers or a dump station at Chilcoot?
Paved roads, paved campsite parking, water, flush toilets, host, firewood and trash service are available during peak camping season.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Chilcoot?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chilcoot. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Chilcoot?
Site 003 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Chilcoot?
Frenchman Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Chilcoot is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Spring Creek (2.2 mi), Big Cove (2.5 mi, partly first-come), and Frenchman (2.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby