Chilcoot
Campground · 35 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Plumas National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 35
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 1
- Accessible site
- 5,113 ft
- Elevation
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.The facts
- 35 bookable sites
- 40 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 1 accessible site
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: AREA CHILCOOT
Site types
- 34 Standard Nonelectric
- 5 Management
- 1 Tent Only Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
40 campsites at Chilcoot
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 | |
| — | Management | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 | |
| — | Management | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 | |
| 001 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 38 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 004 | AREA CHILCOOT | Management | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 034 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 035 | AREA CHILCOOT | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 038 | AREA CHILCOOT | Management | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 040 | AREA CHILCOOT | Management | — | Paved | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
39.86556, -120.16611 · 39°51'56.0"N 120°9'58.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.4 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 2.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Chilcoot
- Can you reserve a site at Chilcoot?
- Yes, Chilcoot is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Chilcoot have?
- 40 sites in total, of which 35 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Chilcoot?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Chilcoot?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Chilcoot.
Also listed by
Chilcoot also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Chilcoot's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only
Restrictions:
- 14 day camping limit
- 6 people per campsite, 12 people for double sites
- 2 vehicles per campsite
- OHV riding is not allowed:
- Store food, trash and scented items appropriately - Be Bear Aware
Camping near Chilcoot
- Spring Creek 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA) 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Frenchman 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cottonwood (Ca) 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Meadow View Family Campground 12 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Crocker Campground 13.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Crocker Guard Station 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Grizzly 16.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Cove Overflow 2.8 mi · Campground
- Cottonwood Springs Campground 3 mi · Campground
- Frenchman Dump Station 3 mi · Campground
- Lake Davis Dump Station 16.3 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 530-836-2575
- Email james.bradeen@usda.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-08.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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