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

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

15 total sites

About Frenchman

Frenchman Campground (5.7 ft) sites along the shores of its namesake lake, which boasts 21 mi 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.

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 closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit 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 RV
Pet Friendly · 43 × 10 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 35 × 11 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 10 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 35 × 11 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 35 × 12 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 12 ft · Gravel
$38
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 9 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 43 × 11 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 25 × 12 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 10 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 33 × 11 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 10 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 37 × 9 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 12 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: FREN RV
Pet Friendly · 25 × 11 ft · Paved
$38
/ per night

Reviews (151)

What Guests Are Saying

Frenchman Campground offers a beautiful setting near a lake with ample shade and clean facilities, making it an inviting place for campers. Many guests appreciated the helpful and friendly camp hosts, who enhanced their experience. However, some sites are uneven and have accessibility challenges, and noise disturbances could be an issue during peak times.

Review Summary

3.6
151 reviews
5
39.7%
60
4
18.5%
28
3
15.2%
23
2
19.9%
30
1
6.6%
10

Jason S

Verified

June 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: FREN

3

Site is listed as okay for an RV 43 ft long. Site 20 cannot fit an RV or anything 43 ft long. Luckily a nearby site was open and able to fit our RV. Scraped my tail on the entrance to the campground causing minor damage. Barely able to navigate out of campground with the help of two spotters. Otherwise campground was nice. Camp host was very nice and accommodating.

E M

Verified

July 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: FREN

4

Nice campground.

Chad L

Verified

July 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FREN

5

Great campsite, was able to fit all cars / trailer. Very clean.

Andrew V

Verified

July 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: FREN

5

The camp hosts are always very attentive. They make the experience better every time we go.

David R

Verified

July 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FREN

5

Size of campground and proximity to the lake were both great.
The camp host was helpful, and welcoming.
The bathrooms were kept very clean.

Steven G

Verified

July 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: FREN

5

These are excellent campgrounds and the facilities are always clean. People are very respectful of noise curfew time. And the hosts are awesome and very helpful.

John M

Verified

July 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FREN

5

Nice hillside campground with easy access to the beautiful lake. Campground hosts were great.

Glenn F

Verified

August 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: FREN

3

We originally booked two night camping at Frenchman at the end of July, site 35 , but decided to leave a day early. The campground is created on a hillside next to the lake. There are tons of trees, which makes for good shade, but also makes for bad maneuvering throughout the campground with a large trailer or motorhome. Our site was rather short, uneven and steep. There is a very steep rocky drop-off on the left side of the RV. We had to prop up the rear of our RV a good foot to level out from the steep driveway. Our site was also positioned in the wrong way - our entry door side was toward the street, not the main campsite area. The picnic table and fire ring were about 75' down a steep hill from the RV. This was a terrible site. It was also very dusty and hot. The lake was too warm and murky to fish - swimming was questionable. I do not recommend this campground.

Nancy D

Verified

August 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: FREN

3

When we arrived we were surrounded by striped chipmucks. I made our meals outside and I was constantly alert for chipmunks foraging on the table. They were not afraid of me.
There was too much I had to control to try to eliminate chipmunks feasting.
We were evacuated less than 2 days on our site due to smoke from The Bug Fire. Your camp host named Chuck was very informative on exit plans. Please thank him for us.

Megan G

Verified

August 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: FREN

5

The camp site hosts were so nice and went out of their way to keep us updated on the local fire since we did not have any cellular service.

Location & Directions for Frenchman

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

Elevation: 1,720 ft

Getting There

From Reno, Nevada, travel north on Highway 395. Merge onto Highway 70 west and travel 5 mi to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue 8 mi to Frenchman Lake, turn right, cross the dam, and travel a mile to the campground.

Nearest town

Blairsden, CA - 37 mi

About 46 min to downtown

Highway access

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

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: October 22, 2026

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Explore Blairsden, CA

Nearby larger city

Reno, NV

Approx. 33 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,393 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service