Portola Valley, CA

Chilcoot

73 ratings on Recreation.gov

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

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.

Typical weather

Air temperature

Average daily high-low
Average daily high and low air temperature, January through DecemberEach vertical bar shows a monthly average daily high and low in degrees Fahrenheit.39°23°JJanuary: average high 39°F, average low 23°F39°23°FFebruary: average high 39°F, average low 23°F45°27°MMarch: average high 45°F, average low 27°F56°33°AApril: average high 56°F, average low 33°F68°42°MMay: average high 68°F, average low 42°F80°53°JJune: average high 80°F, average low 53°F89°61°JJuly: average high 89°F, average low 61°F85°58°AAugust: average high 85°F, average low 58°F76°51°SSeptember: average high 76°F, average low 51°F63°42°OOctober: average high 63°F, average low 42°F48°30°NNovember: average high 48°F, average low 30°F41°26°DDecember: average high 41°F, average low 26°F

5-year average · Open-Meteo

Last Chance Creek

Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Last Chance Creek, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.33°JJanuary: average water temperature 33°F36°FFebruary: average water temperature 36°F45°MMarch: average water temperature 45°F52°AApril: average water temperature 52°F53°MMay: average water temperature 53°F60°JJune: average water temperature 60°F58°JJuly: average water temperature 58°F62°AAugust: average water temperature 62°F55°SSeptember: average water temperature 55°F52°OOctober: average water temperature 52°F46°NNovember: average water temperature 46°F32°DDecember: average water temperature 32°F

Water: Water Quality Portal — 3 field-sample stations

Nearby campgrounds