Home › California › Frenchman
Frenchman
FSU.S. Forest Service — BLAIRSDEN · California · Plumas National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Plumas National Forest |
| Location | BLAIRSDEN · California · Plumas National Forest · 39.89972, -120.18667 · Map |
| Sites | 38 public sites counted from the federal listing — 38 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 38 sites Water hookups at 0 of 38 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 38 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 38 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 50 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 39 sites · 30 ft: 34 sites · 35 ft: 27 sites · 40 ft: 11 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 39 sites, as reported |
| 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 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.
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.
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. 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.
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, full tank and dependable vehicle
Directions, from the listing
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 federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · BLAIRSDEN CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBig Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA)
1 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceChilcoot
3 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCottonwood (Ca)
3 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMeadow View Family Campground
9 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — Frenchman
BLAIRSDEN · California · Plumas National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | BLAIRSDEN · California · Plumas National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 50 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 38 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232137 · 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.