Crane Flat Campground campground
Yosemite National Park, California

Crane Flat Campground

Mixed (reservable + first-come)
151 campsites
Open in maps

151

Total Campsites

Campground

147

Reservable Sites

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

9

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Crane Flat Campground

Overview Crane Flat is reopening after a four year hiatus due to the pandemic and a complete overhaul and rehabilitation of the campsites. Please be mindful of young plants and shrubs by keeping all wheels on parking pads and camping equipment within established campsites. Thank you and welcome back! Crane Flat Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The site is conveniently located 17 miles from Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 6,200 feet. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and so much more. Reservation Tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. (PST) release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov. Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates Recreation Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Crane Flat is located between the Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, both of which require a 2.5 to 3-mile roundtrip hike to view. The White Wolf area on Tioga Road also offers many hiking opportunities. Facilities Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Crane Flat is located between the Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, both of which require a 2.5 to 3-mile roundtrip hike to view. The White Wolf area on Tioga Road also offers many hiking opportunities. Natural Features The area is forested with stands of Sugar pine, Red fir and Lodgepole pine, offering a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Vanilla-scented Jeffrey pine and picturesque western Juniper dot the landscape. Vibrant summer wildflowers fill the open meadows nearby. Nearby Attractions Just 30 minutes away is Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Hiking trails and bike paths are abundant in the valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities, and an art center with workshops. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite peaks. Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, just 23 miles from Crane Flat, is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads. Glacier Point has sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time. Charges & Cancellations Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged. No-shows will be charged a $20 service fee along with the first night's fee.

  • 151 total campsites listed.
  • 147 reservable sites plus first-come options.
  • 9 accessible campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: standard nonelectric (107).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Crane Flat Campground photo 2
Crane Flat Campground photo 3

Our Take

What makes Crane Flat Campground special

Crane Flat Campground marks a triumphant return to Yosemite National Park's camping lineup. After a four-year hiatus and a complete overhaul of its 151 sites, this beloved campground has reopened with rehabilitated infrastructure, improved drainage, and refreshed facilities — all while preserving the quiet, forested character that always set it apart from the busier valley-floor options. Situated at 6,200 feet on the western slope of the park near the Big Oak Flat entrance, Crane Flat occupies a mixed-conifer forest of sugar pine, white fir, and incense cedar. The elevation keeps summer temperatures comfortable, and the location provides strategic access to both Yosemite Valley (a 30-minute drive down) and the Tuolumne Meadows high country to the east. The Merced and Tuolumne Groves of giant sequoias are practically next door — a short walk delivers you among some of the largest living organisms on Earth. The campground atmosphere is calm and woodsy, a genuine contrast to the bustling energy of the valley. Sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs among the trees. The season typically runs June through mid-October, weather permitting. Given the pent-up demand following the closure, reservations are essential and should be made as soon as booking windows open. Crane Flat rewards those who plan ahead with a quieter, more contemplative Yosemite experience.

Campsite Inventory

151 sites to choose from

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

107total sites

107

Reservable

7

Accessible

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

36total sites

36

Reservable

0

Accessible

MANAGEMENT

4total sites

0

Reservable

2

Accessible

WALK TO

4total sites

4

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Accessibility

Yes

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Double, Single

Check-in time

12:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Condition Rating

Good, N/A, Poor, Prime

Double Driveway

Yes

Driveway entry

Back-in, N/A, Parallel, Pull-through

Driveway Grade

Moderate, N/A, Severe, Slight

Driveway surface

Paved

Hike In Distance to Site

100, 30, 50, 60

Location Rating

N/A

Max guests

10, 12, 6

Max vehicle length (ft)

15, 16, 17, 18

Pets allowed

Yes

Shade

No, Yes

Site Access

Drive-In

Site length (ft)

11, 18

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Phone

(209) 379-2123 OR (209) 372-8502

Email

eric_bissmeyer@nps.gov

Getting There

Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca into Yosemite National Park. Crane Flat Campground is located 8 miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station (Hwy 120 from the west), and is 17 miles (30 minutes) northwest of Yosemite Valley.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Crane Flat Campground.

How do reservations work for Crane Flat Campground?

Reservation availability for Crane Flat Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Crane Flat Campground?

Crane Flat Campground currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (107), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (36), MANAGEMENT (4), WALK TO (4).

Where is Crane Flat Campground located?

Crane Flat Campground is in California near Yosemite National Park. Coordinates: 37.7639, -119.8444.

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