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

scott w

Verified

July 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN

2

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

Verified

July 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN

2

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

Verified

July 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: FREN

2

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

3

We were in site 24. Recreation.gov showed the site as 32 ft long. We have a 29 ft 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

3

We were in site 24. Recreation.gov showed the site as 32 ft long. We have a 29 ft 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

3

We were in site 24. Recreation.gov showed the site as 32 ft long. We have a 29 ft 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!

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.

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.

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