Crane Flat

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Site 503, an example campsite at the Crane Flat campground.

Crane Flat, elevation 6200 feet, is a campground in Yosemite National Park located 17 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley. Of all campgrounds located outside of Yosemite Valley, Crane Flat is the closest to the Valley in terms of mileage and travel time (20 minutes). The campground is directly off the road, unlike some other campgrounds that may require a rough 2-4 mile drive from the main road to the campsite. Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker, and is near a bathroom with potable water and flushing toilets.

Unlike the more popular campsites within the valley, Crane Flat's campsites may be first come first served (depending on the month)^[1]. Crane Flat is one of the more crowded campsites outside the Valley, but it is a little less noisy than those in the Valley. There are a total of 271 campsites in 5 different driving loops to choose from. The terrain of Crane Flat is very similar to campgrounds in the Valley though it is higher in elevation and not as flat. Trees surround and tower over the campsites making way for very shady campsite environments. You will not find a creek or any sort of running water in this campground; however, the area is not dry and some sites have a nice view of a meadow.

Directly outside of the campground entrance you will find the Crane Flat Gas Station / Store, which may come in handy if you need to refuel. The campground is about 100 yards from the three roads branches: HWY 120W to San Francisco, HWY 120E to Tioga Road, Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite Valley.