About Frenchman
Number of accommodations: 15
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
15 Sites Available
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Site Details
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15 Sites Available
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Reviews (90)
What Guests Are Saying
Frenchman Campground is praised for its beautiful location by a mountain lake, ample shade, and clean restrooms. Guests enjoyed the spacious campsites, although many noted the sites are on a slope, making tent camping challenging. While some complaints were made about noise levels and yellow jackets, the overall experience was positive with friendly and helpful hosts.
What Guests Are Saying
Frenchman Campground is praised for its beautiful location by a mountain lake, ample shade, and clean restrooms. Guests enjoyed the spacious campsites, although many noted the sites are on a slope, making tent camping challenging. While some complaints were made about noise levels and yellow jackets, the overall experience was positive with friendly and helpful hosts.
Review Summary
Sandy N
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: FREN
The sites all sit on a slope so if you’re tent camping be prepared not sleep well. Our friends that were with us sleep with a cpap and they harassed us about the super quiet generator being on. All while the party down from us were partying until 3 am. Or the dogs barking all day and night. Make it make sense! But there’s lots of super cute chipmunks that just play all day and are so fun to watch. The lake is right there which was nice to walk down to and jump in to cool off. Absolutely no cell service so it was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Sandy N
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: FREN
The sites all sit on a slope so if you’re tent camping be prepared not sleep well. Our friends that were with us sleep with a cpap and they harassed us about the super quiet generator being on. All while the party down from us were partying until 3 am. Or the dogs barking all day and night. Make it make sense! But there’s lots of super cute chipmunks that just play all day and are so fun to watch. The lake is right there which was nice to walk down to and jump in to cool off. Absolutely no cell service so it was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Edwin O
VerifiedJuly 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: FREN
The restrooms are clean and well stocked. About the best you can have for pit toilets. Camp hosts are available and helpful.
The campsites at Frenchman Campground. The mostly back in sites have smallish paved area so you cannot put a table out next to your trailer or RV. So for most sites you either walk up or down to the area which has the picnic table and fire pit. This area is bigger but not level. Dusty due to lots of foot traffic.
Edwin O
VerifiedJuly 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: FREN
The restrooms are clean and well stocked. About the best you can have for pit toilets. Camp hosts are available and helpful.
The campsites at Frenchman Campground. The mostly back in sites have smallish paved area so you cannot put a table out next to your trailer or RV. So for most sites you either walk up or down to the area which has the picnic table and fire pit. This area is bigger but not level. Dusty due to lots of foot traffic.
Jennifer L
VerifiedJune 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
Site 36 is adjacent to the lake, has good views and large spot. The lake is beautiful and never felt crowded. However the entire site is on a hill. There were not flat spots quite large enough for a 4p tent. Also the picnic bench and fire ring area are on the same hill so all sitting areas are uneven. Camp bathroom was kept very clean. However I wish the host would have enforced quiet hours more. Our neighbors were yelling and partying well past 1:30 am.
Jennifer L
VerifiedJune 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
Site 36 is adjacent to the lake, has good views and large spot. The lake is beautiful and never felt crowded. However the entire site is on a hill. There were not flat spots quite large enough for a 4p tent. Also the picnic bench and fire ring area are on the same hill so all sitting areas are uneven. Camp bathroom was kept very clean. However I wish the host would have enforced quiet hours more. Our neighbors were yelling and partying well past 1:30 am.
Karla F
VerifiedAugust 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FREN
Yellow jackets everywhere. The population was out of control. Its not like we saw a few, there were swarms at the dock and all over the shore. The campsite host was cold and rude. Curfew was not enforced. There was loud music, loud talking and flashing lights well past 11pm.
Karla F
VerifiedAugust 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FREN
Yellow jackets everywhere. The population was out of control. Its not like we saw a few, there were swarms at the dock and all over the shore. The campsite host was cold and rude. Curfew was not enforced. There was loud music, loud talking and flashing lights well past 11pm.
Karl L
VerifiedJune 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: FREN
* Frenchman Campsite#23 and Campsite#24 share a common paved area for vehicles. They should be merged into a single "double" campsite. This past Memorial Day weekend, Campsite#24 at one time was occupied by more than 15 people. I hesitate to imagine the pandemonium had our campsite#23 (party of 2) been likewise populated.
* Please consider making areas of your campgrounds designated as "no generator" areas. RV's = fine, just "no generators".
* Please consider making "Generator Use" hours more specific. - Perhaps 08:00-10:00 and 17:00-21:00
Karl L
VerifiedJune 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: FREN
* Frenchman Campsite#23 and Campsite#24 share a common paved area for vehicles. They should be merged into a single "double" campsite. This past Memorial Day weekend, Campsite#24 at one time was occupied by more than 15 people. I hesitate to imagine the pandemonium had our campsite#23 (party of 2) been likewise populated.
* Please consider making areas of your campgrounds designated as "no generator" areas. RV's = fine, just "no generators".
* Please consider making "Generator Use" hours more specific. - Perhaps 08:00-10:00 and 17:00-21:00
Location Frenchman
Address:
Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District
Blairsden, CA, 96103
United States
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.
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.
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