How much does camping cost at Frenchman?

Camping fees at Frenchman are $33.97 - $38/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Frenchman first-come first-served or reservation?

Frenchman accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Frenchman before I book?

Yes! Frenchman has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Frenchman?

Frenchman is open May 22 to October 12. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Frenchman?

Frenchman does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Frenchman?

Fire policies at Frenchman: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Frenchman have?

Frenchman has 38 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Frenchman?

Pets are not allowed at Frenchman. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Frenchman?

Frenchman offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Frenchman?

Popular activities at Frenchman include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Frenchman

4.08

182 reviews

PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 7, BLAIRSDEN, CA, 96103, USA

Top 15% in CASummer

C-Report Card

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $38/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Plumas National Forest - Beckwourth Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $38/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Plumas National Forest - Beckwourth Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Frenchman

$33.97 - $38.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $33.97; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $38.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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Provider

530-836-2575james.bradeen@usda.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 7, BLAIRSDEN, CA, 96103, USA

Frenchman

PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 7, BLAIRSDEN, CA, 96103, USA

Nearby places

Chilcoot (8 miles), Loyalton (approximately 20 miles)

Weather at Frenchman

Current alerts(12)

road closed.
A variety of wildlife live in this area, including black bears. Before making a reservation, become aware of bear safety.
America the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only. They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Frenchman

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Frenchman because warm, high-altitude days (typically 70–85°F) make the lake ideal for swimming, boating, and shore fishing while cool nights (40s–50s) keep camps comfortable. Trails and forest-and-lake scenery are at their most accessible, allowing long hikes, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing without snow. Expect the busiest weekends and holiday weeks—plan reservations, arrive early, and be prepared for afternoon mountain breezes or occasional thunderstorms Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in CA

Summer is best for swimming/boating (70–85°F); peak season brings heavy use and crowds.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 12. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Frenchman

Frenchman sits on the shore of Frenchman Lake in Plumas National Forest, operated by the Beckwourth Ranger District. This mid-elevation forest campground offers direct lake access for swimming, boating, and fishing, with tent and RV sites spread across terrain that can challenge larger rigs. Reviewers praise the scenery and water recreation but note holiday weekend crowds and vault toilet upkeep.

The Frenchman Campground accommodates tent camping and RV camping. Group camping and primitive options are not detailed.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Frenchman because warm, high-altitude days (typically 70–85°F) make the lake ideal for swimming, boating, and shore fishing while cool nights (40s–50s) keep camps comfortable. Trails and forest-and-lake scenery are at their most accessible, allowing long hikes, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing without snow. Expect the busiest weekends and holiday weeks—plan reservations, arrive early, and be prepared for afternoon mountain breezes or occasional thunderstorms Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation5700 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a transition zone where the Sierra Nevada meets high desert, creating a landscape that shifts from dense pine groves to open terrain and lakefront beaches. Frenchman Lake stretches below the campsites, with forest shadows and mountain views in most directions. Black bears are active in the area. The mix of forest and water draws boaters, swimmers, and anglers throughout the season.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or alternative accommodations like cabins are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Up to 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Generally accommodates 2 vehicles and associated guests, but specifics on guest count are not provided.

Groups

Group camping details are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov. Phone support is available for inquiries.

AccessibilityAccessibility details for individuals with disabilities are not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Site SizeSites are generally small, with difficulty accommodating larger RVs. "The sites were very small. I have a 25-foot Class C and cannot imagine fitting much bigger rigs in most of these sites." - User Review by Glen San Marcos.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Several reviews note proximity to other sites, such as shared driveways and close spacing, which can affect privacy.

Total Campsites38 campsites

Recommended SitesFor water access, choose sites 22-25. Campers preferring quieter areas should avoid holiday weekends. RV users may struggle with narrow roads and sloped terrain.

Best CampsitesSites 23 and 24 sit closest to the water, making lake access easy, though they share a driveway. Site 36 gets mentioned for being quiet and well-maintained. Weekday visits avoid the noise that builds during summer weekends and holidays.

Need help booking Frenchman?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Electric hookups are not available.

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Frenchman

Frenchman Campground offers a variety of activities during the peak camping season, including hiking, biking, picnicking, and hunting. The nearby Frenchman Lake supports water activities like swimming, boating, jet skiing, and fishing. Winter activities include ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Boating4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Wildlife is abundant; deer frequently visit campsites and bears are present in the area.

Hiking3.5/5

Water Sports3.5/5

Lake supports paddling/jet-skiing with docks/ramps; access can be limited by low water.

Fishing3.0/5

Swimming3.0/5

Lake supports swimming and summer use, though designated/safety details are not provided.

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5Mid-elevation, limited cell service and forest setting suggest decent dark skies though not documented.

Photography4.0/5Lake, mountain vistas and forest scenes make it a good spot for photography.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.1

182 reviews

Satisfactory

Frenchman is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Frenchman Campground has mixed reviews. Positive aspects include its scenic location and activities like fishing, boating, and hiking. However, issues such as unclean vault toilets, poor cell phone service, and strict or rude camp hosts are common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 182 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful scenery, proximity to Frenchman Lake, and opportunities for outdoor recreation are consistent positives. "Frenchman’s is the best place to boat, swim, fish, camp, and play." - Marina...

Based on 182 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include poor maintenance of vault toilets, overcrowding on weekends, and rude or strict camp hosts. "The bathrooms were disgusting... Feces all over the insert of the toilet." -...

Based on 182 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 23 and 24 are highlighted for their proximity to the lake but are noted to have shared driveways. "Sites 23 and 24 have the best access to water, though they share a driveway." - Alex Filatov.

Based on 182 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Mid-week visits are quieter, and sites close to the lake, like 23 and 24, offer easier access to the water. "Mid-week it is quiet; weekends are crazy." - L Met.

Based on 182 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak seasons like summer attract large crowds, but the campground can be noisy. Winters are quieter but access can be limited by snow.

Based on 182 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The grass was green, the dirt was dry, the lake was full and the sky was blue." - John O'Neal. "The trees provide ample shade in most sites." - Glen San Marcos. "The restrooms were spotless." -...

Based on 182 reviews

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Frenchman

$33.97 - $38.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $33.97; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $38.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-836-2575james.bradeen@usda.gov

Go if

You want direct lake access for water sports and don't mind vault toilets or holiday weekend activity.

Skip if

You're bringing a large RV or need maintained restrooms and quiet holiday camping.

Nearby Campgrounds

PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 7, BLAIRSDEN, CA 96103, USA

Spring Creek sits along Frenchman Lake in Plumas National Forest, operated by the Beckwourth Ranger District. This mid-elevation forest campground offers tent sites, RV spots, and group camping with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers come for lake access, with swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking trails drawing visitors during the summer season.

Frenchman

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