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Camping · California

Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA)

Campground · Fee not listed

Fee not listed

Fast facts

Cost
Not listed. Check locally.
Type
Campground
Phone
530-836-2575
Nearest dump station
Logger Dump Station · 30.4 mi
Nearest water fill
Indian Creek Camp Ground-Potable Water · 82.2 mi
Coordinates
39.9019, -120.1725
Last verified
September 19, 2026
39.9019° N · 120.1725° W
Last verifiedSeptember 19, 2026

About this place

Overview Big Cove Campground (5,700 feet) is located near the shores of Frenchman Lake in Northeastern California. Some families have been returning here for more than thirty years. Situated at the interface between the wild Sierra and the high desert, it's a perfect place to serve as hub for a wide range of recreation opportunities. Plumas National Forest has many back roads open for exploration. Take advantage of the beautiful blue waters of Frenchman Lake for boating, fishing and other water sports. Tell stories around your campfire. Recreation Little Last Chance Creek offers plenty of streamside recreation including fishing, nature viewing, photography and just relaxing. Frenchman Lake provides the perfect location for swimming, boating, lake fishing, skiing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and canoeing. The entire recreation area and surrounding National Forest is available for nature viewing, photography, picnicking, hunting, biking or exploring forest roads. Dispursed camping is not allowed in the recreation area. Facilities The campground offers single and double family campsites for tent and RV camping. Accessible campsites are available. Fifteen of the 38 campsites can be reserved during peak season. All other campsites may be taken as 'First Come' sites. All 'First Come' sites must be occupied on the first night rented. Big Cove Campground also offers coin operated showers, accessible flush toilets, drinking water, trash bins and paved roads during peak camping season. An RV dump station is located nearby, at Cottonwood Springs Campground. Natural Features Just experiencing the drive into the Frenchman Lake Recreation Area is worth the trip. Little Last Chance Creek has eroded through ancient lava flows to produce this very scenic canyon known as the Little Last Chance Scenic Area. At the interface of desert and mountain climates, this area gets less precipitation than areas to the west and more precipitation than areas east. Desert scrub grows alongside pine forest. Some campsites overlook the lake's blue waters and nearby meadows. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575. Nearby Attractions Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area. Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra Nevada. Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton. Many forest roads to explore - take along a map and a full gas tank. Charges & Cancellations America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes are accepted for single family sites and not for double sites.

From the managing agency.

Is this site free?

We do not have a fee on record for this site. Confirm the cost locally before you go.

How do I get to this site?

this site is at 39.9019, -120.1725. We do not hold written directions for this one, so navigate to the coordinates.

Nearby

SourceSource data is agency published. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.

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Disclaimer TerrainKit is an independent product with no affiliation with, sponsorship from or endorsement by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service or any other public agency. Site and access information is compiled from publicly available sources and can go out of date without notice. Confirm current rules, closures, fire restrictions and stay limits with the managing ranger district or field office before you camp.
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47.5053° N · 111.3008° W
Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, CA), Camping in California - TerrainKit