Crane Flat Campground

Quiet Yosemite alternative — between Valley and Tuolumne

Location: Yosemite National Park, CA, CA

Price: From $36 per night

Price range: $36–$60 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (1876 reviews)

Season: June – October

Crane Flat sits at the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, making it the most strategically located campground in Yosemite — equal distance from the Valley floor, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Merced Grove of sequoias. 166 sites in a mixed conifer forest at 6,200 feet. Significantly easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds, and the elevation keeps summer temperatures comfortable. The small Crane Flat gas station is the only gas between the Valley and Lee Vining.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Potable Water, Fire Rings, Bear Boxes, Dump Station, Gas Station (nearby), Pet Friendly (leash), Picnic Tables

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/crane-flat-yosemite to be notified when sites open up.

The most strategically located campground in Yosemite — equidistant from the Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Merced Grove of giant sequoias. 166 sites at 6,200 feet. Significantly easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne while offering access to everything.

The Merced Grove of giant sequoias is 1.5 miles from camp via a trail almost no one takes. Only 20 sequoias, but you’ll have them completely to yourself while everyone else crowds the Mariposa Grove.

What is new at Crane Flat Campground: No major changes. Crane Flat remains one of the more stable Yosemite booking options.

Wildlife alert: Black bears extremely active. Bear box use mandatory. Stellar’s jays will steal food from open bags instantly.

Fire rules: Campfires in fire grates only. Yosemite restrictions apply. Check nps.gov/yose.

Things to do near Crane Flat Campground: Merced Grove (1.5 mi from camp) — smallest and least-visited sequoia grove in Yosemite, almost always empty. Tuolumne Meadows (25 mi east) — day trips to Cathedral Lakes and Lembert Dome are very doable. Early morning drive to Yosemite Valley (17 mi south) to beat the crowds.

Insider tips for Crane Flat Campground: The Crane Flat gas station is the only fuel between the Valley and Lee Vining — fill up before heading to Tuolumne Often has sites available with 1–2 weeks notice when other Yosemite campgrounds are full

Skip Crane Flat Campground if: You want to walk to Valley attractions — it’s a 17-mile drive.

Best time to visit Crane Flat Campground: Jun–Sep — All roads open. Tioga Road and Valley accessible. Best weather for both destinations..

Common issues at Crane Flat Campground: No services at camp except vault toilets and water. Stock up at the Yosemite Valley store or Wawona before arriving.

What campers say about Crane Flat Campground: "Drove to Tuolumne for hiking, drove to the Valley for the falls, drove back to a quiet camp. Perfect base." — Recreation.gov reviewer "Booked this when Tuolumne was full. Similar elevation and temperature, way easier to get a site." — Recreation.gov reviewer

Nearby campgrounds: Tamarack Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Hodgdon Meadow Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA (Big Oak Flat Entrance)), Dry Gulch (EL PORTAL, CA), Dimond O (GROVELAND, CA).

Cell Phone Coverage at Crane Flat Campground

Cell signal at Crane Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.

Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.

CamperWatch

Crane Flat Campground

Quiet Yosemite alternative — between Valley and Tuolumne

Yosemite National Park, CA4.4 (1876)6,200 ft
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Why campers choose Crane Flat Campground

The most strategically located campground in Yosemite — equidistant from the Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Merced Grove of giant sequoias. 166 sites at 6,200 feet. Significantly easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne while offering access to everything.
The Crane Flat gas station is the only fuel between the Valley and Lee Vining — fill up before heading to Tuolumne
Often has sites available with 1–2 weeks notice when other Yosemite campgrounds are full
No hookups. Limited food options nearby. Cell signal poor. Some highway noise from Big Oak Flat Road.

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

June – October

Stay limit

14 days

Max RV

35 ft

Hookups

None — dry camping

Cell signal:

Crane Flat sits at the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, making it the most strategically located campground in Yosemite — equal distance from the Valley floor, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Merced Grove of sequoias. 166 sites in a mixed conifer forest at 6,200 feet. Significantly easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds, and the elevation keeps summer temperatures comfortable. The small Crane Flat gas station is the only gas between the Valley and Lee Vining.

Things to do nearby

Merced Grove sequoiasValley FloorTuolumne MeadowsMerced Grove

Best For

First-time Yosemite campersFamilies wanting easier bookingRoad trippers on Tioga Pass routeSequoia visitors

Site Types

TentRV (no hookups, max 35ft)

Amenities

Flush Toilets
Potable Water
Fire Rings
Bear Boxes
Dump Station
Gas Station (nearby)
Pet Friendly (leash)
Picnic Tables
Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

June – October

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

No hookups. Limited food options nearby. Cell signal poor. Some highway noise from Big Oak Flat Road.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard policy.

Why campers love Crane Flat Campground

The most strategically located campground in Yosemite — equidistant from the Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Merced Grove of giant sequoias. 166 sites at 6,200 feet. Significantly easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne while offering access to everything.

What's new in 2026

No major changes. Crane Flat remains one of the more stable Yosemite booking options.

What campers say about Crane Flat Campground

"Drove to Tuolumne for hiking, drove to the Valley for the falls, drove back to a quiet camp. Perfect base."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

"Booked this when Tuolumne was full. Similar elevation and temperature, way easier to get a site."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

Not the right fit if…

  • ✕You want to walk to Valley attractions — it’s a 17-mile drive

Frequently asked questions

How much does Crane Flat Campground cost per night?+
Crane Flat Campground costs $36–$60 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None — dry camping.
What season is Crane Flat Campground open?+
Crane Flat Campground is open June – October. Check-in is 12:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.
Does Crane Flat Campground have hookups?+
None — dry camping.
What is the maximum RV length at Crane Flat Campground?+
Crane Flat Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.
How do I make reservations at Crane Flat Campground?+
Crane Flat Campground is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/alerts to be notified the moment a site opens.
Are pets allowed at Crane Flat Campground?+
Crane Flat Campground is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.
What is the cell service like at Crane Flat Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Crane Flat Campground is rated weak. Best carrier: Verizon. Coverage available: Verizon 4G. Note: FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote, mountainous, or heavily forested areas may be weaker. Check camper reports on the page for real-world experience.
How far is Crane Flat Campground from the nearest town?+
Nearest services: Crane Flat gas station — 0.1 miles (limited). Valley stores 16 miles.
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$36/night
4.4(1876)
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