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
bill d
VerifiedAugust 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FREN
There is no way to back a truck and small trailer into this site, I found another unreserved site and move to that site. You can pull in but the trailer will be in the way of the road. This particular time the camp was quiet and good weather. No fish were biting.
bill d
VerifiedAugust 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: FREN
There is no way to back a truck and small trailer into this site, I found another unreserved site and move to that site. You can pull in but the trailer will be in the way of the road. This particular time the camp was quiet and good weather. No fish were biting.
Robin B
VerifiedJuly 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: FREN
The campground is overall very nice. Our space, however, (#35), not so much. The entire site was on a slant and there was a steep walk down to the picnic table from where our camper was parked. Plus, the camper faced toward the street and was very close to it so people were constantly walking right outside our windows.
Robin B
VerifiedJuly 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: FREN
The campground is overall very nice. Our space, however, (#35), not so much. The entire site was on a slant and there was a steep walk down to the picnic table from where our camper was parked. Plus, the camper faced toward the street and was very close to it so people were constantly walking right outside our windows.
Sarah N
VerifiedJuly 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
Awesome experience! #36 was the PERFECT spot - super quiet campground even on the weekend, lake water was super clean, campsite and bathrooms were well-tended as well :)
Sarah N
VerifiedJuly 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
Awesome experience! #36 was the PERFECT spot - super quiet campground even on the weekend, lake water was super clean, campsite and bathrooms were well-tended as well :)
scott w
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
The restrooms were disgusting. Unfortunately the camp host does not clean the toilets. There was feces all over the insert of the toilet. I stayed there 3 days and not once did she clean the bathrooms. It was horrible. I have camped my whole life and I am fully aware outhouses don't always smell too good but these are horrible. Theres no water added to the mix so theres no way for it to desolve. Also she does not clean up the campsites after check out. When we showed up there were rocks on the table,toys and little pieces of trash all over the campsite. The lake was nice but the bathrooms were so disappointing. I would not return if the camp host was the same.
scott w
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN
The restrooms were disgusting. Unfortunately the camp host does not clean the toilets. There was feces all over the insert of the toilet. I stayed there 3 days and not once did she clean the bathrooms. It was horrible. I have camped my whole life and I am fully aware outhouses don't always smell too good but these are horrible. Theres no water added to the mix so theres no way for it to desolve. Also she does not clean up the campsites after check out. When we showed up there were rocks on the table,toys and little pieces of trash all over the campsite. The lake was nice but the bathrooms were so disappointing. I would not return if the camp host was the same.
Crissy L
July 11, 2022
We were in site 24. Recreation.gov showed the site as 32 feet long. We have a 29 foot trailer, so there should have been plenty of room. Unfortunately, the site appears to have had some deterioration and the asphalt has dropped down... in addition, there are two trees that would have made it impossible for our truck to maneuver the trailer into the spot. As it was 4th of July weekend, there were no open spots. The site right next to us - literally sharing the same driveway... offered to switch sites with us, which saved the day. Things to know about Site 24... if site 23 had a trailer as well, we would have literally been looking in there windows from our trailer windows. The driveways are connected. Also, the campsite is on a hill - so be prepared to give your calves and glutes a good workout. We had a wagon which helped bring our items down to the table area - then down (and up) the next hill to the water. The campground was nice - although fairly narrow roads. If any cars stick out at all, it makes for tight turns. The fires did do damage to the campground and there are downed trees in a big pile; however, there are still plenty of trees and lots of shade. The lake is still as beautiful as ever!
Crissy L
July 11, 2022
We were in site 24. Recreation.gov showed the site as 32 feet long. We have a 29 foot trailer, so there should have been plenty of room. Unfortunately, the site appears to have had some deterioration and the asphalt has dropped down... in addition, there are two trees that would have made it impossible for our truck to maneuver the trailer into the spot. As it was 4th of July weekend, there were no open spots. The site right next to us - literally sharing the same driveway... offered to switch sites with us, which saved the day. Things to know about Site 24... if site 23 had a trailer as well, we would have literally been looking in there windows from our trailer windows. The driveways are connected. Also, the campsite is on a hill - so be prepared to give your calves and glutes a good workout. We had a wagon which helped bring our items down to the table area - then down (and up) the next hill to the water. The campground was nice - although fairly narrow roads. If any cars stick out at all, it makes for tight turns. The fires did do damage to the campground and there are downed trees in a big pile; however, there are still plenty of trees and lots of shade. The lake is still as beautiful as ever!
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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