OutReserve

Frenchman

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

Featured amenities

Parking
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit

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

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?

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Birding

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Swimming

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

Rates, Sites & Availability

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 (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.

Review Summary

3.6
90 reviews
5
37.8%
34
4
20.0%
18
3
13.3%
12
2
22.2%
20
1
6.7%
6

Leonard A

Verified

July 10, 2022 Stayed at: 013, Loop: FREN

4

Campgrounds were night, and the lake itself is beautiful, but I will not go back on a holiday weekend. Got there Thursday and it was peaceful, but by Friday night it was a nightmare. Loud music well after 10pm quiet time, loud people, and the camp host was no where to be found to silence the noise or help with the rude people.

Leonard A

Verified

July 10, 2022 Stayed at: 013, Loop: FREN

4

Campgrounds were night, and the lake itself is beautiful, but I will not go back on a holiday weekend. Got there Thursday and it was peaceful, but by Friday night it was a nightmare. Loud music well after 10pm quiet time, loud people, and the camp host was no where to be found to silence the noise or help with the rude people.

Marilyn W

Verified

June 20, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: FREN

3

Spot #30 is on a hill, so we battled a lot of kids/adults constantly falling, tripping or tipping out of chairs. This site wasn't very accommodating for more than 1 tent due to being on the side of a hill. There was a water spigot right near the site and bathrooms were close. The view of the lake was perfect but again the site itself was very not ideal and very uncomfortable. We ended up leaving right before bed on night two because we didn't feel like fighting our sleeping bags from sliding downhill in the tent all night again like night 1. Bathrooms were your normal vault toilets, nothing special. Oh zero cell service at this location too. Not a problem just making others aware. We would stay again but definitely not at this particular site. We were honestly surprised they made it a rentable site because it is not very fun to feel like you are constantly on the side of hill no matter what activity you do.

Marilyn W

Verified

June 20, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: FREN

3

Spot #30 is on a hill, so we battled a lot of kids/adults constantly falling, tripping or tipping out of chairs. This site wasn't very accommodating for more than 1 tent due to being on the side of a hill. There was a water spigot right near the site and bathrooms were close. The view of the lake was perfect but again the site itself was very not ideal and very uncomfortable. We ended up leaving right before bed on night two because we didn't feel like fighting our sleeping bags from sliding downhill in the tent all night again like night 1. Bathrooms were your normal vault toilets, nothing special. Oh zero cell service at this location too. Not a problem just making others aware. We would stay again but definitely not at this particular site. We were honestly surprised they made it a rentable site because it is not very fun to feel like you are constantly on the side of hill no matter what activity you do.

James H

Verified

June 16, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: FREN

5

Weather was perfect and the campground was well maintained! The campgrounds survived the wildfires from last year!!!

James H

Verified

June 16, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: FREN

5

Weather was perfect and the campground was well maintained! The campgrounds survived the wildfires from last year!!!

James H

Verified

July 9, 2021 Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN

4

.

James H

Verified

July 9, 2021 Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN

4

.

Emily V

Verified

June 28, 2021 Stayed at: 037, Loop: FREN

2

The camp site was Beautiful and the bathrooms were very clean .

Emily V

Verified

June 28, 2021 Stayed at: 037, Loop: FREN

2

The camp site was Beautiful and the bathrooms were very clean .

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


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Managed by USDA Forest Service