Chilcoot

Overview

Chilcoot Campground (5,100 feet) is located just downstream from Frenchman Lake alongside Last Chance Creek. The sound of flowing water along with shade from the surrounding pine and cottonwood forest are key features making this a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Chilcoot Campground is one of five campgrounds in the popular Frenchman Lake Recreation Area of Northeastern California's Plumas National Forest. The campground is far enough away from the lake that visitors can experience the serene sense of solitude that the remote mountain setting provides.

Recreation

Frenchman Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Water sports including fishing, skiing, jet skiing, swimming are readily available supported by two boat launch facilities, several fishing access points and day use areas. Camping, picnicking hiking and exploring forest roads can each provide the type of adventure you are looking for. Dispersed camping (camping outside developed campgrounds) is not allowed in the recreation area. Winter activities range from snowmobiling to ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

Facilities

The campground has 40 single-family tent and RV camp sites. Some sites are available for tent camping only. Fifteen campsites are available for reservations during peak camping season. All other campsites are available as 'First Come' sites as long as the campground is open. Paved roads, paved campsite parking, water, flush toilets, host, firewood and trash service are available during peak camping season. Tables, campfire rings and recently added bear resistant containers are provided at each campsite

Natural Features

This campground is situated at the southern end of Last Chance Scenic Area. The scenic area is the result of Little Last Chance Creek cutting through ancient lava flows. This is the interface of desert and mountain climates characterized by less precipitation than areas to the west and more than areas to the east. Desert scrub grows alongside pine forest. A variety of wildlife make this area home.  

Nearby Attractions

Chilcoot Campground is one of five campgrounds in the Frenchman Recreation Area. 

Little Last Chance Scenic Area

Frenchman Lake is less than three miles from the campground.

Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra Nevada.

Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.

Camp site features

Across 35 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 35 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 35 sites
  • Longest RV: 40 ft
  • Largest party: 8 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 16.2 mi · Bordertown RV Resort

Directions

From Reno, Nevada, travel north on Highway 395. Merge onto Highway 70 west and continue 5 miles to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue 5 miles to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

73 reviews
5 stars
51
4 stars
15
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
1 stars
1
Steven S
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
great place to relax. Camp host are awesome Bri and randy keep everything clean and top notch...
Leroy K
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
The camp hosts are FANTASTIC! The camp is kept clean, the restrooms immaculate. Can’t wait to go back!
Dean C
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
The campground was clean and we'll maintained. We loved the camp hosts. They are super good with kids. I cant wait to go back next year.
Linh K
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
The campsite was very clean. I was not expecting restrooms with stalls and inn fact, very clean. The campsite was exceptional! We'll definitely come back again. We had a great time. There were little traffic at night and the sound of the water going through the stream was a bonus.
Neal A
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
... A rare find for quiet solitude type camping near a refreshing creek while the more active types are more drawn upsteam to all the lake activities available at nearby Frenchmans Lake ... ... and special mention must be given to this summers hosts here at Chilcoot Campground ... (Randy & Briana) go so far as to even provide handsoap in the flush toilet/mirrored/runnining water / and well maintained restrooms.... they both seem focused on details to make this campground a place to return to... we will soon, & have for over 30 yrs...
Cinthia L
Loop:Area Chilcoot
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

May 23, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 7, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 23, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 7, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

Availability not checked yet

No availability

We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .

Interested in seeing what camp sites you can reserve here? Check it now, or watch this campground so we keep checking it for you.

Nearby Campgrounds