What you need to know to plan an epic camping trip at Crane Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park, California. 2019 site photos and more

Crane Flat Campground is on Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park, California.

The campground offers a lot of shade even during the summer. There are tons of trees in the campground providing a bit of privacy between campsites.

The campground is 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley and offers easy access to the valley and Tioga Road.

Reservations are needed for most of the time the campground is open. During the early season, the campground may open on weekends for first come first serve.

You will want to make a reservation as soon as you know when you are planning to visit the park.

Camping in Yosemite is incredibly popular and sites fill up quickly. The reservations open five months in advance!!!!

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Crane Flat Campground

Number of Sites: 166 sites - this will be lowered to 151 but with no reduction in overall capacity due to the addition of the double sites

Location in the park: On the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) just west of Crane Flat, about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley

Campsite cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees

Reservations: Yes, reservations can be made online at recreation.gov

Campground Address: Tioga Pass, Tuolumne County, CA

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude:
37.7638889
37° 45' 50.0000" N

Longitude:
-119.8444444
119° 50' 39.9998" W

Elevation: 6,200 ft (1,900 m)

Accessible Sites: Sites 423 and 427

Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed but they must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.

Pets are not allowed inside park buildings or on specific trails.

Crane Flat Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available?

Site reservations are available online at recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777).

Individual campsites are block released on the 15th of each month

Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: No

Is wifi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? No

Is camp host available on site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood can be purchased at the Crane Flat gas station or Yosemite Valley Grocery Store.

Amenities at each campsite:

Fire Ring in the site? Yes, Wood and charcoal fires are permitted

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Box/ Food Storage in site/area? Yes,

You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears. Bear storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)

Potable Water? Yes

Closest Showers: Yosemite Valley (Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp)

Don't forget to pack these camping essentials

RV Camping at Crane Flat Campground

RV Length: RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 27 feet

Not every site can accommodate equipment of these lengths. Be sure to read the site details when making a reservation on recreation.gov to ensure your equipment will fit into the site you're reserving.

Dump Station: Available all year in Yosemite Valley (in Upper Pines Campground) or, summer only, near Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Generators: 7 am - 9 pm, 12 pm - 2 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm

Hookups: There are no electricity, water or sewer site hookups

How to get to Crane Flat Campground

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.

Crane Flat Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite. There is no limit on the number of tents (as long as they all fit into the campsite).

The number of cars per campsite: Two motorized vehicles per campsite. A valid campground car pass must be displayed.

Checkout time: 12 noon

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am

Maximum Stay: 7-day maximum stay limit.

Crane Flat Campground Map

Photos of Crane Flat Campground

Some of the roads through the Crane Flat Campground may be tight for large RVs or trucks.

Check out all of the Yosemite National Park Camping options!

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park. Four of the campgrounds are in Yosemite Valley, five of them are along the Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows which are open seasonally, the rest are found along Highways 120 and 140.

Additional Yosemite National Park Information & Resources

Lodges In Yosemite National Park

Ahwahnee Hotel
🏨Ready to Book the Ahwahnee Hotel -> Click Here

The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in Yosemite Valley and is known throughout the world as one of the most luxurious National Park Lodges.

Yosemite Valley Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Yosemite Valley Lodge -> Click Here

The Yosemite Valley Lodge is located in the heart of Yosemite National Park and is located close to Yosemite Falls making it a great base for a Yosemite vacation.

Wawona Hotel
🏨Ready to Book the Wawona Hotel -> Click Here

(Currently Closed for repairs). Built in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is on the National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.

Curry Village Tent Cabins
🏨Ready to Book the Curry Village Cabins -> Click Here

The Curry Village Tent Cabins are a great option for staying in Yosemite Valley.

Lodges near Yosemite National Park

There are great options for lodging near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Here is a few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst:

Chateau du Sureau
🏨Ready to Book the Chateau du Sureau -> Click Here

Exceptional 5-star luxury accommodations south of Yosemite National Park. Includes breakfast, feww WIFI, pet friendly, air conditioning and much more! Also has an incredible restaurant o-site and a spa!

The Pines Resort at Bass Lake
🏨Ready to Book The Pines Resort -> Click Here

Bass Lake Beachfront Resort with lots of amenities, including Spa services, gym, two restaurants, bar/lounge, Airconditioning and more!

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
🏨Ready to Book the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn -> Click Here

At Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, you can look forward to a terrace, a playground, and laundry facilities. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
🏨Ready to Book The Tenaya Lodge -> Click Here

4-star eco-friendly resort near Yosemite. You can look forward to a poolside bar, a terrace, and shopping on site at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at this resort. Indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a body treatment, and aromatherapy at Ascent Spa, the onsite spa

Yosemite National Park Tours

California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours)
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability

With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours, you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:

Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
Death Valley's Unique Geology
Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters

Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🎣 Check Rates and Availability

Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:

all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
snacks/lunch

Private Family Hike in Yosemite
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-6 Hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability

Experience the monumental scenery of Yosemite on a guided, half-day hike designed especially for families. Choose from a beginning to moderate hike to suit your family's experience level, and embark on a series of trails that wind through the famous natural attractions of either Yosemite Valley or the high country. Enjoy Spectacular views from on of America's favorite National Parks, and stop for a scenic picnic near a stream, lake, or meadow.

4 Days Guided Yosemite Half Dome Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 Days | 🥾Check Rates and Availability

Ready to turn your bucketlist into a brag list? This 4 day Yosemite adventure takes you from secret swimming holes to the iconic half-dome cables without the crowds or the chaos. Every detail is covered, from wilderness permits to those elusive Half Dome Spots. Just bring your personal camping gear including a tent, sleping bag & pad, and headlamp. A full packing list will be provided after you register. With expert guides, chef-style meals, and starry skies, you'll hike, relax, and conquer like a pro!

Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!

Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$0.00 for Education/Academic Group

$300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)

$45.00-$125.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Yosemite National Park Peak-Hours Reservation Required

A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM on dates in 2025 listed below:

May 24 - May 26 (Saturday-Monday)
June 15 - August 15 (Daily)
August 30 -September 1) (Saturday - Monday)

During the dates listed above, visitors can enter Yosemite with either of the following:

Peak Hours Reservation are available through Recreation.gov
- (Click here to get your Peak Hours Reservation) or by calling (877)444-6777
Wilderness or Half Dome permit
In-Park camping including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hogdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds.
In-Park Lodging including Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, and High Sierra Camps.
In-Park Vacation Rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta.
Regional transit ot tour group

Additional Peak Hours Reservation information:

Reservations for all dates were released on May 6, 2025
Additional Reservations are available on recreation.gov seven days before the arrival date at 8:00 AM PDT.
There is a $2.00 Non-Refundable fee (This does not include the park's entry fee requirement)
Each visitor can make one reservation for each three day period. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show photo ID at the entrance station.
Peak Hours Reservations are good for three consecutive days (Including arrival date)
You can visit the Hetch Hetchy area of the park when it is open (sunrise to sunset) without a reservation.