California / Plumas County / Plumas National Forest

Spring Creek

Closed — Closed for the season as of September 28, 2025. The campground typically operates during summer months.

About

Spring Creek Campground sits at 5,800 feet elevation in Plumas National Forest, positioned at the interface between mountains and high desert where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges meet. The campground is just minutes from the clear waters of Frenchman Lake, a reservoir created in 1962 by damming Little Last Chance Creek. With 35 campsites and 16 sites available for reservation, the campground provides tables and fire rings at each site along with vault toilets. The landscape provides a magnificent backdrop for varied recreational activities. During the operating season, visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing on Frenchman Lake, as well as fishing throughout the area. On land, the campground offers access to hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking, with an expansive forest road system ideal for exploration and sightseeing. The area's unique geology features ancient lava flows eroded by creeks into interesting formations. Nearby attractions include the Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area and Sierra Valley, the largest valley in the Sierra Nevada. The towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton provide stores and services. The campground operates seasonally and has a 14-day stay limit with a maximum of 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.

Directions

From Reno, NV take Highway 395 24 miles north to Highway 70. Take Highway 70 west to Chilcoot, CA. Head north on County Road 284 for seven miles to Frenchman Lake Dam. Cross the dam and proceed two miles to the campground.

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