Chilcoot Family Campground accommodates pet owners with designated pet-friendly sites that include fire pits and picnic tables. Dogs are permitted throughout the campground with standard leash requirements, and the shallow stream running along one side of the campground provides water access where pets can cool off during summer months. The campground features clean facilities and spacious campsites with good privacy between neighbors. Campers note the campground is fairly quiet with ample shade from trees, though some sites have less coverage after drought-related tree removal. Both tent and RV campers with pets are welcome, though no electric or water hookups are available at individual sites.
Frenchman Lake's surrounding campgrounds, including Big Cove and Spring Creek, offer additional pet-friendly options with lake access for dogs who enjoy swimming. These campgrounds provide level sites with fire pits and picnic tables where pets can relax alongside their owners. Vault toilets are regularly cleaned, though visitors should secure all food items as chipmunks actively seek handouts. The network of trails surrounding Frenchman Lake accommodates dogs on leashes, and the area attracts many pet owners during summer months. Camp hosts are generally present to assist with pet-related questions and enforce quiet hours, as occasional issues with uncontrolled dogs and barking have been noted in reviews. Sites typically fill quickly during weekends, with pet owners recommended to secure reservations well in advance or arrive mid-week for first-come, first-served spots.
"Park has restrooms and showers, as well as a dog run (sand/dirt) with chairs for the humans."
"Owner and his dog Daisy were very friendly. Park is nice with grass and paved pads. Restroom was small, but clean."
$34 / night
"I think there's good privacy even though you can see that there are other campers around. There are tables, fire pits, flush toilets, and bear boxes."
"camp spots (fairly level), beautiful area with lots of trees, a lovely creek running through the back of of the campground, clean bathrooms, just 25 minutes from Reno and three miles from Frenchman's Lake"
$38 / night
"Spots are well spaced, and fire pits/picnic tables are at each site, though at not be adjacent to your parking spot (no bear boxes provided though)."
"Other than a couple of continuously barking dogs on opposite ends of the campground, it was fairly quiet during the day. Loved seeing a small herd of deer grazing their way through camp."
"Nice quick pull off, more traffic driving by than expected but it did the trick."
"Absolutely wonderful campsite not too far off the Highway!!! Well maintained, quiet, peaceful."
"Two sections of campground, if first lot is full drive 1/4 mile back towards the mountains and there will be more sites. Vault pit toilets at both areas."
$6 - $25 / night
"The campsite is in the middle of Dog Valley. The area is used for off-road recreation, so you may run into a few off-road buggies or trucks, and some may stay at the campground."
"First, it's quite an adventurous (read: bumpy) drive to get to it from the nearest paved road. Once you arrive, you'll be amazed at how much space there is between the sites."
$38 - $71 / night
"Nice big campsites, we went with friends and had two large tents, room for some toys (kayak, spikeball game) and to spread chairs around the fire pit."
"This is a very pretty lake. it was a little muddy along the shore but the rock area is a great swimming area. unfortunately it is a little dirty with broken glass."
$34 - $140 / night
"Lots of trees for shade and areas for the kids to play around. Just a short drive to the boat launch too!"
$38 / night
$38 - $100 / night
"Had a great time here - terrific proximity to lake & decent sized camping sites. Nearby Portola, & easy drive from the Reno area."
"Super easy access to the lake from this site where you can paddle board and kayak in peace."
RangerThis campground is in town but still is a great place to stop. Has nice dog park, great hookups. Close to the Sparks marina if you want to walk, but we were here for the Nugget rib cook-off. Just not sure on the all the rules as it seems some are followed some you can ignore.
TravelerGorgeous spot. Park undergoing renovations and roads a little tight but all in all a beautiful park. Great dog park
TravelerThis was where we went for our first outing with the travel trailer. The staff was very helpful. The dog park is AMAZING HUGE AND FENCED.
ScoutWe broke a jack and the maintenance workers were incredibly helpful in getting a tool we needed to fix it. The park is clean and has multiple very clean dog parks. We will stop again.
TravelerThe sites are close together and the sewer drains are literally going through the artificial turf area where your neighbors eating area is. A little ridiculous with the pet policy and pet areas are a long way away when you have to take your pets out at night.
TravelerSurprised how well maintained and friendly staff assisting with set up. Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy. Lots of families and kids and noisy. We were able to ride bike in the park and on the road that was safe with little to no traffic. Several grass areas for guest minus pets. The perimeter areas are for permanent residence with several for sale. So no chance of getting some nice sites. A number of tiny cottages to rent. The railroad tracks along side of park and loud in early hours you got use to it. Will return but off season when kids are back in school. Also no access to creek from park. Recommend very clean park
ScoutWOW, this place is super nice. Kid friendly with activities and play areas. Pet park for off leash play! Clean and friendly staff! #1 park in our book!
ScoutThe campground is easy to get to and has a nice convenience store in case you forgot anything. It was quiet and had a nice river view. Pets are allowed as well!
TravelerThe front desk lady was super super nice. The park is beautiful! The guests are all super friendly. Family and pet friendly. The pool isn’t open yet but the spa is. We can not wait to come back!
Chilcoot offers several pet-friendly camping options at an elevation around 4,900 feet in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically reaching 80-90°F and cool nights dropping to 40-50°F. Most campgrounds near Chilcoot remain open from late April through October, with peak visitation during July and August when daytime temperatures are most comfortable for outdoor activities.
Hiking at Crystal Peak: Access the trail from Lookout Campground where you can hike to the summit for expansive views. "The trail from the campground to Crystal Peak was great... the crystals are everywhere. Really nice views from atop the knoll too. Many people visit just for the day to collect crystals," notes Ray B.
Water activities on Davis Lake: Just 30 miles west of Chilcoot, Grasshopper Flat offers lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "Easy walk to semi-private cove on lake. AWESOME for birding - Bald Eagles, Pelicans, woodpeckers, chickadees & ravens - this is the Sierra after all," reports Ron G.
OHV riding: The Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area provides extensive trail networks for off-road enthusiasts. "Trail riding galore. Went on all the trails and out in the sand dune area we came upon wild horses, this was quite a site to see. They were just running and being playful," writes Patricia N.
Well-spaced sites: Chilcoot Family Campground provides good separation between campsites. "The sites are paved. They are all back in sites. There's good room between sites. I think there's good privacy even though you can see that there are other campers around," explains Genevieve R.
Clean facilities: Fort Sage OHV Area maintains exceptionally clean restrooms. "Cleanest pit toilets we've experienced anywhere. Great access from highway. All amenities (table, fire pit, cooker) all appear new. Great views, spacious, quiet," notes Shirley W.
Wildlife viewing: Various campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Grasshopper Flat, one camper reported, "Saw a Bald Eagle dive and grab a fish...Great fishing." The area supports diverse bird species, deer, and occasionally wild horses in the Fort Sage area.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating rough roads. Accessing Lookout Campground involves challenging terrain as S K. explains: "The road is one of the reasons this site generally isn't too packed... About 75% of the road is unmaintained hill road, where you have to hug one side or another to avoid 6-inch+ ruts, loose rocks up to 5 inches in diameter."
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures can drop significantly at night, requiring warm clothing and appropriate sleeping gear even in summer months.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty or no cell reception. At Lookout Campground, "Verizon cell service picked up one bar, intermittently. Enough to get out occasional status update texts and check the weather, but not enough to be able to read stuff off the internet."
Choose quieter weekday timing: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Chilcoot get busy on weekends. For Big Cove Campground, Rachael A. advises: "Reservations fill up fast, we were able to snag one of a few first-come-first-serve sites on a Thursday afternoon but saw many people disappointed on Friday and Saturday."
Select sites away from highways: At Chilcoot Family Campground, Tina B. suggests: "Tip* camp away from the main highway. Those spots have far less shade and there is quiet a bit of road noise."
Pack for creek play: The shallow stream running through Chilcoot Family Campground provides water play opportunities. "There's a shallow stream and access to it for the campsites along one side of the campground," notes Genevieve R., making it a good option for families with children and pets who enjoy water.
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Chilcoot lack hookups. Bring sufficient water and ensure batteries are charged. For RVs requiring hookups, Bordertown Casino RV Resort offers full services just 30 minutes away. "This park has full hookups and free WiFi. I also had good service on my AT&T phone service," mentions Carrie.
Level sites: Many campgrounds offer level sites suitable for RVs without excessive setup. At Chilcoot Family Campground, "The sites are paved. They are all back in sites."
Consider length restrictions: Some campgrounds have tight turns or limited space for larger RVs. As Ray & Terri F. note about Bordertown: "The internal roads are a little narrow, although not too bad, but some of the turns are rather tight. All but a couple of sites are pull-throughs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chilcoot, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chilcoot, CA is Bordertown Casino RV Resort with a 4.1-star rating from 12 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 197 dog-friendly camping locations near Chilcoot, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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