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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Jul 29, 2019 · Updated: Feb 14, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Crane Flat Campground - Yosemite National Park

    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!!!!

    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: $26/night

    Payments accepted: 

    Reservations: Required and available online up to five months in advance

    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

    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.

    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)

    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

    Escape Campervan in front of a hotel

    For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

    Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

    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

    Crane Flat Campground Bathroom

     

    Campsite 104

     

    Campsite 106

     

    Campsite 110

     

    Campsite 114

     

    Campsite 116

     

    Campsite 120

     

    Campsite 122

     

    Campsite 204

     

    Campsite 206

     

    Campsite 209

     

    Campsite 210

     

    Campsite 211

     

    Campsite 212

     

    Campsite 216

     

    Campsite 222

     

    Campsite 224

     

    Campsite 226

     

    Campsite 230

     

    Campsite 244

     

    Campsite 306

     

    Campsite 308

     

    Campsite 310

     

    Campsite 314

     

    Campsite 320

    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.

    The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park

    Yosemite National Park Lodging

    If you are wondering where to stay in Yosemite National Park there are multiple options available ranging from tent cabins to national park lodges.

    Ahwahnee Hotel

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

    Wawona Hotel - Currently Closed

    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.

    Yosemite Valley Lodge

    If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite National Park than you will love Yosemite Valley Lodge.

    The lodge is located close to Yosemite Falls which makes it a great base for a Yosemite vacation.

    Curry Village Cabins

    Part of the Curry Village complex that was previously known as Half Dome Village.

    Curry Village Tent Cabins

    The Curry Village Tent Cabins are a great option for staying in Yosemite Valley. Available for booking on Expedia

    Housekeeping Camp

    If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite Valley and not bring your own tent you will love Housekeeping Camp.

    Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

    Located off the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge includes 69 canvas-tent cabins without electricity.

    Where to stay near Yosemite

    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.

    A few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst include:

    Chateau du Sureau

    The Pines Resort at Bass Lake

    Sierra Sky Ranch

    Hounds Tooth Inn

    Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn - 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. The onsite restaurant, Yosemite Gateway, features American cuisine. Free Wi-Fi in public areas is available to all guests, along with a bar and a gym.

    Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites - At Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour business center. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the steam room. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

    Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite - 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. Enjoy pizza and more at the two onsite restaurants. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities like mountain biking and archery. In addition to a coffee shop/café and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

    Rush Creek Lodge - 3.5-star family-friendly hotel near Yosemite. Take advantage of a poolside bar, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the mountain biking and ecotours at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs. The onsite restaurant, Rush Creek Restaurant, features local cuisine. In addition to a coffee shop/café and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

    Yosemite Sierra Inn - Yosemite Sierra Inn provides a business center and more. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.

     Queen's Inn By the River - Enjoy visiting the attached winery, a terrace, and a garden at Queen's Inn By the River. The onsite restaurant, Idle Hour Winery &Kitchen, features garden views and brunch. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as 2 bars.

    For additional lodging options click on the map below for current rates and availability for lodging and vacation rentals near Yosemite NP.

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

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    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

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