Frenchman

FRENCHMAN Entrance Sign
FRENCHMAN Day Use Parking
FRENCHMAN Launch
FRENCHMAN Road
FRENCHMAN parking

Featured amenities

Parking
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

15 total sites · $38.00 avg/night

About Frenchman

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.

Number of accommodations: 15

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Birding

Birding

Year-round
Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 22 to Sep 6

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

15 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: FREN
No Hookups
$38.00
/ per night

Reviews (135)

What Guests Are Saying

Frenchman Campground offers a beautiful setting with ample shade and proximity to a lovely mountain lake, making it a great spot for recreation. Campsites are spacious and clean, with friendly hosts available to assist. However, some guests noted challenges with steep site entries, uneven terrain, and noise disturbances during the night, particularly from nearby parties and wildlife.

Review Summary

3.6
135 reviews
5
37.8%
51
4
20.0%
27
3
13.3%
18
2
22.2%
30
1
6.7%
9

Carol H

Verified

July 29, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: FREN

4

I didn't know that there was a check out time so we had to park in Day Use...not a big deal, but would have been nice to know. The camp hosts were wonderful. Great place to go.

Carol H

Verified

July 29, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: FREN

4

I didn't know that there was a check out time so we had to park in Day Use...not a big deal, but would have been nice to know. The camp hosts were wonderful. Great place to go.

Christina R

July 27, 2020

3

The restrooms were spotless, and it was nice to be near the lake. It is a bit closer to the boating dock, so there is a lot more noise and traffic (one night someone was blasting their music and had their brights on by the boating dock). The campground is on a hill, so some of the campsites have a slight slope.

Overall if you are looking for a day trip and don't mind a bit of noise it is a nice place.

Christina R

July 27, 2020

3

The restrooms were spotless, and it was nice to be near the lake. It is a bit closer to the boating dock, so there is a lot more noise and traffic (one night someone was blasting their music and had their brights on by the boating dock). The campground is on a hill, so some of the campsites have a slight slope.

Overall if you are looking for a day trip and don't mind a bit of noise it is a nice place.

Christina R

July 27, 2020

3

The restrooms were spotless, and it was nice to be near the lake. It is a bit closer to the boating dock, so there is a lot more noise and traffic (one night someone was blasting their music and had their brights on by the boating dock). The campground is on a hill, so some of the campsites have a slight slope.

Overall if you are looking for a day trip and don't mind a bit of noise it is a nice place.

Rhonda B

Verified

July 18, 2020 Stayed at: 037, Loop: FREN

5

Excellent camping areas for tent & RV.
Great lake for ski boats, water skiing, pull toys, water jets, ski doos. U name it!
Fun!!!

Rhonda B

Verified

July 18, 2020 Stayed at: 037, Loop: FREN

5

Excellent camping areas for tent & RV.
Great lake for ski boats, water skiing, pull toys, water jets, ski doos. U name it!
Fun!!!

Rhonda B

Verified

July 18, 2020 Stayed at: 037, Loop: FREN

5

Excellent camping areas for tent & RV.
Great lake for ski boats, water skiing, pull toys, water jets, ski doos. U name it!
Fun!!!

John M

June 22, 2020

5

This is the first time we've camped since the Apocolypse. The campsite was clean and bathrooms were in great shape. It was a wonderful time.

John M

June 22, 2020

5

This is the first time we've camped since the Apocolypse. The campsite was clean and bathrooms were in great shape. It was a wonderful time.

Location Frenchman

Address:
Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District
Blairsden, CA, 96103
United States

Highway access

Frenchman Campground is accessible via Highway 395 and Highway 70. Highway 395 is the nearest major road, providing access to the area.

Latitude & Longitude: 39.8997 / -120.187

Elevation: 1720 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Vehicles & parking

  • Campsites accommodate 2 vehicles; first vehicle included in fee, second incurs an additional charge.

General

  • Generally, campsites will accommodate 2 vehicles.
  • The first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle fee will be collected onsite at the daily rate posted on the fee sign.
  • Click here to learn more about the Plumas National Forest.
  • A variety of wildlife live in this area, including black bears.
  • Before making a reservation, become aware of bear safety.
  • Please go to the following link for more information:http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/Hiking_and_Camping/hiking_and_camping.html
  • Firewood Bundles are for sale from the Campground Host. Wood collecting is allowed.
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site.
  • For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • Firewood Bundles are for sale from the Campground Host.
  • Wood collecting is allowed.
  • Campground Map  
  • Campsites do not have bear resistant lockers.
  • America the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only.
  • They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
  • Check- In is 2:00pm and Check-Out is Noon
  • Campground Map

Utilities

  • Electric hookups are not offered at the campsites.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Be informed about bear safety due to the presence of black bears.

Fires & fuel

  • Buy firewood locally and burn it on-site to protect forests from pests.

Site types & loops

  • OHV vehicles are prohibited on campground roads.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: July 11, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service