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Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA)
FSU.S. Forest Service — California · Plumas National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Plumas National Forest |
| Location | California · Plumas National Forest · 39.90194, -120.17250 · Map |
| Sites | 39 public sites counted from the federal listing — 39 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 39 sites Water hookups at 0 of 39 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 39 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 39 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 95 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 20 sites · 30 ft: 19 sites · 35 ft: 19 sites · 40 ft: 16 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 13 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 29 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 530-836-2575 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-05-08.
From the official listing
Overview 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.
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. Dispursed camping is not allowed in the recreation area.
Facilities 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. 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575. 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 and a full gas tank.
Charges & Cancellations America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes are accepted for single family sites and not for double sites.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · BLAIRSDEN CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFrenchman
1 mi straight-line · BLAIRSDEN CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceChilcoot
3 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCottonwood (Ca)
4 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMeadow View Family Campground
9 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA)
California · Plumas National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | California · Plumas National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 95 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 39 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232824 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.