Frenchman Campground

Sierra Nevada meets high desert — lakeside camping 45 min from Reno

Location: Chilcoot, CA, CA

Price: From $38 per night

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (182 reviews)

Frenchman Campground sits on the southeastern peninsula of Frenchman Lake at 5,700 feet in Plumas National Forest — right at the dramatic interface where the Sierra Nevada meets the high desert. The lake has 21 miles of shoreline and is one of the best kept secrets within 45 minutes of Reno. Pine-shaded hillside sites, most with paved back-in pads. 38 sites total: 12 reservable on Recreation.gov during peak season, the rest first-come first-served. No hookups. Vault toilets, drinking water, camp

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Drinking Water, Vault Toilets, Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Campground Host, Boat Launch (nearby), Pet Friendly, Firewood for Sale

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/frenchman-campground-plumas to be notified when sites open up.

The closest proper lakeside campground to Reno that most people don’t know exists. 45 minutes northwest and you’re at 5,700 feet on a lake with 21 miles of shoreline, zero crowds on weekdays, and complete cell silence. Frenchman Lake sits at the geological meeting point of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin high desert — it’s a landscape you don’t see anywhere else, pine forest meets sage desert right at the waterline.

The drive in on Highway 284 through Little Last Chance Canyon is one of the most spectacular 8-mile approaches in the Sierra — Little Last Chance Creek carved through ancient lava flows creating a dramatic dark rock canyon. Most campers blast through it. Stop at the viewpoints, especially at mile 4. It’s genuinely stunning and almost nobody talks about it. ⇒ Water: The designated swimming area at the north end of Frenchman Lake — a sandy-bottomed cove 200 yards from camp — reaches 72°F by late July. The south shore has a quieter unofficial swimming area with less boat traffic. Fish from the bank at dawn before the wind picks up.

What is new at Frenchman Campground: Bear resistant lockers are being evaluated for the 2025 season per USFS notes. Call (530) 836-2575 to confirm before arrival.

Wildlife alert: Black bears are active and bold — they enter camp in daylight. No food lockers on-site. Lock all food, coolers, and scented items in your vehicle. Camp host will advise on recent bear activity.

Fire rules: Campfires permitted in provided fire rings only. No collecting firewood from living trees. Host sells bundles on-site. Check current USFS fire restrictions before arrival — restrictions common July–September.

Things to do near Frenchman Campground: Little Last Chance Scenic Canyon — the drive in on Hwy 284 from Chilcoot. Stop, walk, photograph.. Sunrise from a lakeside site — the water reflects Mount Ingalls and the desert ridge at dawn. Ice fishing in winter — the lake freezes solid and locals drill through to catch trout from January. Jet ski or kayak the full shoreline — 21 miles, uninhabited most of the way.

Insider tips for Frenchman Campground: Sites 22–25 are closest to the lake and most level — specifically request them when you reserve on Recreation.gov The recreation.gov booking window opens exactly 6 months out at midnight Pacific — set a calendar alert or you’ll miss peak dates Bring quarters for the coin showers at Big Cove (2 miles away) — Frenchman Campground has vault toilets only Arrive Friday before noon in summer — the Reno crowd fills first-come sites by 1pm on Fridays

Skip Frenchman Campground if: You need hookups or cell service. You have an RV over 38ft. You’re visiting July 4th or Labor Day weekend without a reservation.

Best time to visit Frenchman Campground: Jun–Aug — Full lake activity. Warm water for swimming. Campground host on-site. Water and trash service running.. Sep–Oct — Summer crowds gone. Fall colors in the aspen groves. Fishing picks back up. Nights crisp, days perfect..

Common issues at Frenchman Campground: Sites are sloped — every review mentions it. Bring leveling blocks for RVs. Tent campers need a thick sleeping pad, not just a mat. Request sites 22–25 which are the flattest and closest to water. Bears enter camp day and night. No food lockers on-site. Lock everything with a smell in your car, not your tent or a soft cooler. Camp host sells firewood and will advise on current bear activity. Zero cell service from any carrier. Download Gaia GPS or AllTrails offline maps before you leave Reno. Bring a paper map of Plumas NF. Satellite messenger (Garmin inReach) recommended for emergencies.

What campers say about Frenchman Campground: "Absolutely no cell service so it was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of life" — PerfectCamp "Great lake for recreation, the camping options are ample and well set up" — PerfectCamp "Sites all sit on a slope — if you’re tent camping be prepared to not sleep well" — PerfectCamp

Nearby campgrounds: Big Cove Campground (Chilcoot, CA), Grasshopper Flat (BLAIRSDEN, CA), Grizzly (BLAIRSDEN, CA), Lightning Tree (BLAIRSDEN, CA).