Big Cove sits along the east shore of Frenchman Lake in mixed conifer forest at 5,800 feet. It's a developed campground built for families who want lake access without sacrificing the basics — flush toilets, showers, and paved RV pads make this more comfortable than most National Forest camps.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 38
- 💵Fee per Night
- $38
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 5,800 ft
- 📍GPS
- 39.89912, -120.48218
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
Amenities
The Camp
The 38 sites spread through mixed conifers with Frenchman Lake as the backdrop. Each site comes with the standard trio: picnic table, fire ring, and grill, plus paved pads that can handle RVs. The flush toilets and showers set this apart from the vault toilet norm in Plumas National Forest — a detail families with young kids will appreciate.
One group site handles larger gatherings, though the specifics on capacity aren't detailed in the forest service materials.
What to Know
Reservations cover 21 of the 38 sites, leaving 17 for the first-come crowd. At this elevation and with lake access, expect competition during peak summer months. The remaining sites operate on the standard National Forest first-come system — arrive early or have backup plans.
The $38 nightly fee reflects the amenity level. You're paying for the flush toilets, showers, and maintained facilities rather than the bare-bones experience typical of forest service camps.
The east shore location means morning sun hits camp early, which works well for families looking to get on the lake before afternoon winds pick up.