Frenchman Lake Camping Guide
Everything you need to camp at Frenchman Lake in Plumas National Forest — campground comparison, fishing intel, trail access, and reservation tips.
Frenchman Lake sits at 5,588 feet in Plumas National Forest, 2 hours from Reno and Sacramento. It's a high Sierra reservoir with two USFS campgrounds on opposite shores, solid trout fishing, and trails into the surrounding national forest. Busy on summer weekends, genuinely peaceful on weekdays.
3 campgrounds for this trip
Curated with verified intel — not just a database dump
Frenchman Campground
Chilcoot, CA
North shore · Larger sites · Better lake views · Closer to the boat ramp · Dogs allowed
Big Cove Campground
Chilcoot, CA
South shore · More sheltered · Quieter than north shore · Good for tents
Wild Plum
Nevada City, CA
Nearby Sierra alternative · Haypress Creek camping · Sierra City 30 min from Frenchman
Frequently asked
How do you reserve a campsite at Frenchman Lake?
Frenchman Campground and Big Cove Campground are both reservable on Recreation.gov. Search "Frenchman Lake" at recreation.gov. Sites open for reservation 6 months in advance. Summer weekends fill quickly — book as early as possible.
Is Frenchman Lake good for fishing?
Yes — Frenchman Lake is stocked with rainbow trout by CDFW and holds brown trout from natural reproduction. Bank fishing from the campground shoreline is productive, especially in early morning. Canoe, kayak, or small electric motor boats work well. No gas motors allowed. California fishing license required.
Which campground at Frenchman Lake is better — Frenchman or Big Cove?
Frenchman Campground on the north shore has larger sites, better lake views from more sites, and is closer to the boat launch. Big Cove on the south shore is smaller, more sheltered from wind, and feels quieter. Tent campers often prefer Big Cove; RV campers have more space at Frenchman.
Are dogs allowed at Frenchman Lake campgrounds?
Yes — both Frenchman Campground and Big Cove allow leashed dogs. Dogs can access the shoreline in areas away from the designated swimming beach. No off-leash areas.
How far is Frenchman Lake from Reno?
Frenchman Lake is approximately 2 hours from Reno via US-395 south to Hallelujah Junction, then State Route 70 west to Chilcoot, then Forest Road 24N01 north to the lake. The last few miles are paved but narrow.
Is there swimming at Frenchman Lake?
Yes — there is a small designated swimming beach near the Frenchman Campground boat launch. The water is cold even in summer (high Sierra snowmelt). Water temperature is comfortable for swimming in late July and August.