California / Plumas County / Plumas National Forest

Chilcoot

Closed — Closed for the season as of September 28, 2025. The campground typically operates from late May through late September.

About

Chilcoot Campground (5,100 feet) is located just downstream from Frenchman Lake alongside Last Chance Creek in northeastern California's Plumas National Forest. The sound of flowing water combined with shade from the surrounding pine and cottonwood forest makes this an ideal place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The campground is one of five in the popular Frenchman Lake Recreation Area, positioned far enough from the lake to provide a serene sense of solitude in this remote mountain setting. The campground offers 40 sites with modern amenities including flush toilets, showers, potable water, and paved roads. Each campsite features a paved parking pad, picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Twenty-two of the sites are available for reservation, while the remainder operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Frenchman Recreation Area provides diverse recreational opportunities including fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming at Frenchman Lake, which is less than three miles from the campground. Two boat launch facilities and several fishing access points support water activities. The campground is situated at the southern end of Little Last Chance Scenic Area, where Little Last Chance Creek has cut through ancient lava flows, creating a unique landscape where desert scrub grows alongside pine forest at the interface of desert and mountain climates.

Directions

From Reno, Nevada, travel north on Highway 395 to Hallelujah Junction. Head west on Highway 70 for 5 miles to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue 5 miles to the campground entrance on the left.

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