Great campsite away from the valley's busy activities. They also have potable water. No showers. Also, a gas station is just around the corner for supplies. On July 4th weekend, I lost my gold wedding band at campsite #424. I believe it's somewhere near or around the fire pit area. If found, please turn into campsite host as they have my shipping information. Thanks for your help and enjoy this great campsite. read more

We just stayed at Crane Flat campground in Yosemite National Park. The park ranger told us it is the worse campground in all the national parks. We thought he was joking. He was not. Every site is not level. There are ruts and holes and steep in the sites you try to pull into. We have a 30 foot motorhome. We got site 305. We had to pull in the site 3 times to try to get the rv a little level. The generator hours are from 7-9 am 12-2 pm and 5-7pm. The guy beside us had a commercial generator and he would turn that on and not turn it off. One time the ranger stopped by and told him to turn it off. He turned it off and waited for the ranger to leave. He then turned it back on for an hour until 8PM. Him and his buddy ran the generators all day long. They didn't care if they bothered anybody. I could not wait to leave that campground the next day. I feel sorry for who ever came in the next day. https://www.flickr.com/photos/67616811@N00/29295046331/in/datetaken-public/ picture of the campsite. read more

Just got back from 3 nights 7/17-7/20, and it was just ok for us. We were in 542, and the loop we were one had some seriously sloped sites. After walking the place, in that loop, only 502 thru 514 or 15 are flat, when looking at the loop map you make a right in to the loop from the main road, so from that first site going in on the right to about 3/4 of that road were flat. Anything else all campsites on left side of the road are really not very good'. We did not drive through the other loops but from the road they looked better than the 500 loop. They do have bathrooms, but no electricity, so no lights on at night. Closest showers were at Housekeeping in Yosemite Valley, it was $5 for adults, 4 for kids Bear lockers are plenty big enough for all of your dry goods, but no way are you putting coolers in there too. Not to say that you won't see them, but we had no bear issues at all. The drive into Yosemite Valley is easy, only about 20 min, and after seeing the zoo that the valley has turned in to, I'm glad that we were staying outside of that. I know that it's summer, but holy cow. I have camped in the valley probably 15-18 times, and i have never seen so many people. The shuttles, while constant don't seem to be able to handle to crowds. You are allowed to gather downed wood, but if you're planning on going that route, a saw or ax would be a good thing. Camp host does not sell wood, but there is a gas station with a store just outside the gate. They sell wood for $9 a box. Overall it's very pretty, and you're right by the big trees trail (well worth the hike) and it's close enough to the valley to make it a good place to stay. read more

I love this place, there are a few sites we had seen that are slanted but most are fairly good. We stayed over the 4th of July weekend and it was amazing!! Nice and cool compared to the valley and talk about green, the only downfall is other campers next to us didn't clean up there food even went behind a rock to leave their dirty tampon gross but the site itself is truly beautiful read more

The camp site we had was kind of on a slope (Site 420), which made it harder to find the right spot for the tent, but the overall experience was OK. The rangers were super friendly (kindly helped when my wife locked the car keys in the car), neighbors were quiet enough and the site was clean and had the regular fire ring and picnic table. A bit secluded from the valley supposedly way cooler so I wouldn't mind going back. read more

Great size campsites, not much brush between the sites but better than other campgrounds we've driven by. This one had space between each spot with some rocks and redwoods to give space and privacy. But the bathrooms need sensor lights at night (bring your flashlight) and hooks for your towels. Quite at night, clean, would return again. About 30 minutes to Curry Village....depending on some bad traffic in the valley. read more

Favorite camp location in yosemitie! Clean, lots of space, large sites, plenty of things to explore, and nice bathrooms. The only two things I would change. I would make the bear lockers a little bit bigger, if you have a large family or you are staying for more than just a weekend, you will have a hard time fitting everything in that locker. We barely fit 2 ice chests along with our bathroom supplies (lotion, tooth paste, shampoo, etc). I would also add showers. Other than that, if you are to camp in Yosemitie, try to get crane flatts! You will not regret it. read more

We stayed in early July 2013. Our first site was 306 but we could not fit our trailer in it. The site was too small for a tent trailer as you can't back it in because of the surrounding trees. When we talked to the ranger he said we were the second family who had this issue. We were moved to a better site. The only thing fly in Crane Flats is the name. It appeared to me that all sites were slanted. I don't quite understand that as a bulldozer could fix this issue in the off season. Anyway, we were in a trailer so it wasn't a huge issue, a tent might not be as fun. The site is relatively close to the valley but you will be driving a lot. It is close to the gas station and store and that is nice. It also is a lot roomier than the valley campsites which look like refugee camps. Site was quiet, bathrooms are fine, nice shade with all the trees. Perfect for hammocks. Of the sites we saw I liked these the best. Tuollome had a nice one too but it's far from the valley. Also the bear box is small and everything has to go into it. Our ice chest is a cube and wouldn't fit with the lid on. Measure yours before you go. It made for quite an experience. I do recommend this site except for 306 which might be the worst site I've ever seen (a tent would work there fine but not my pop-up at 16 feet.) close enough to the action without the Calcutta experience. read more

We stayed at Crane Flat on the last weekend in July, which as it turns out is a terrible time to visit Yosemite because of the heat and the crowds. All the time we spent in Yosemite Valley was miserable...good thing the campsite was awesome. It's 20-25 min from the valley and at a higher elevation so it's always at least 10 degrees cooler. We were assigned a small site on a hill that would not have accommodated our group, which consisted of 6 people and 2 cars. The super nice ranger re-assigned us to a huge, shady site on the outer corner which was perfect. The site was relatively quiet, and the bathrooms were not too gross...though lights would have been nice. Also, be sure to bring serious bug spray in the summer. We only brought natural hippie bug spray and were eaten alive by mosquitoes. We were located right next to the bear trap but we never saw any bears (though lots of other campers said they did...or they were just involved in an elaborate hoax to make us fear those godless killing machines) read more

While staying in Yosemite is surreal, amazing, and totally worth it, this particular campground is not that well kept up. Our site (434) was littered with garbage (while that is the fault of the crappy campers before us, I thought the Rangers might make a sweep through after each stay). The bathrooms were god awful and there was a constant swarm of horse flies (that look like bees) at our picnic table. I'll definitely try a different campground next time I go. read more

Awesome campgrounds outside of the heavily full campsites closest to the falls hike and half dome. Conveniently next to a gas station for last minute purchases like restocking up on booze. Will definitely come back here! read more

Crane Flat needs maintenance. Entrance bulletin board is falling apart, and looks like it has been for some time. Yosemite is supposed to be a "crown jewel" of our National Parks. It is being loved to death. Secondly, the rules and regulations specifically state that gathering firewood is prohibited. Yet, people were walking around with armloads of twigs and branches that they had gathered. If you don't want people gathering wood, sell it to them! Other National Parks sell firewood (Rocky Mountain N. P. for example). Thirdly, it is quite apparent that the campground host, should be called the campground "ghost". All I saw them do was drive about in their car. Their site (425) looks like a gypsy camp. Toilets are full of cobwebs and dirt are everywhere. It is quite apparent that basic maintenance is being overlooked. I've been to campgrounds where the hosts walk the sites and say "hello", clean out the fire pits in the morning, and generally tidy up. Not here, not at Crane Flat. It's camping, I get that. Cold water only and no showered is OK by me, but their is a general lack of presence and a bit of an "I don't give a shit" air about the campground. Just a piece of paradise lost. That's too bad. read more

Poor bathroom cleanliness: no soap, dryer trash, or lights. One close by was closed. It's a sloped campsite (more like crane hill) with plenty of bees. Looked like there were few flat sites. Bear box was on the ground and particularly difficult to get things into it at that angle. No showers: they are only in the valley 30 min away. Fire pit was full. Only pro was that it was quiet. We stayed at incredibly better campsites at other national parks. Never will stay here again. read more

Loved it! Not in the middle of the valley, which I liked because it was more peaceful, and only a 20-30 minute beautiful drive to the valley. I would definitely stay at this campground again. read more

Just back from 4 days at Crane Flat and we loved it as opposed to the crowded valley campsites. Less than 1/2 hour from the Valley. We had campsite 211 and it was great - very quiet. read more

This is my second time at Crane Flat. The second time was the best time ever. We got a great spot by the meadows where we saw a deer and a BEAR!! We had two sites and it was perfect. Meet some great RANGERS and saw a lot of different wildlife for this time of the year. If you don't like the large crowds this is the perfect campsite. A little advice, get there early morning to get a site, early as in at least 8am. Any later then 11am and you will not get a site. read more

We were at #536, which was at the end of the road and down a bit. We loved it there and I would book 536 again without hesitation. We weren't right next to the bathrooms (thank goodness) but could easily walk to two different ones that were fairly close and far exceeded my very low expectations--they were clean and had plenty of toilet paper. Just a note: there are no lights and no soap, so plan accordingly. We didn't have any really flat space to work with but found a pretty good spot for our tent and positioned ourselves so our feet were pointing downward (didn't feel like we were slipping). Loved having the fire pit and Crane Flat gas station so close for getting wood; making a fire for cooking and keeping warm was easy to do and the awesome part of camping! Bear locker was amble for keeping a few plastic tubs and a cooler in. Beautiful spot nicely spaced from the other guests. You are close to other people and can hear their conversations and smell what they're cooking, etc.; at one point in the night, there were some people talking very loudly and it woke us up. We saw the rangers around and it felt very safe and family-friendly. read more