Crane Flat Campground

Great compromise of privacy and location to big sur

This is not the most beautiful campground. Our site was on a fairly steep slope so there was no good place to pitch a tent. There was hardly a parking spot at our site too, so our car was parked precariously on the edge of the road at an uncomfortably steep angle. However, if you can't find camping in the valley this location is good because you can easily access it and also access everything off of Tioga Pass road.

We were so happy to have the opportunity to camp at Crane Flat. We walked up early in the day (10AMish) and secured a great spot for the night. The rangers were surprised there were still spots available - middle of August! The campground was clean, staff was friendly and the rangers at the gate were super helpful!

Great campsite!

Crane Flats is a beautiful campsite with plenty of shade and a friendly atmosphere! If you enter the park from the East, it's a good spot to end your day. There's access to plenty of hikes, main roads, etc. It was a great time and can't wait to come back!

I needed to be close to the 4-mile Trail trailhead for an early start to complete the 4-mile Trail to the Panorama Trail and back down the Mist Trail. The campground was the closest to the Yosemite Valley, and I was able to get a parking spot near the trailhead early in the a.m. The campsite was great with lots of room. The Ranger built a campfire and gave a talk in the evening at the campground Amphitheater, which provided a nice evening activity and eliminated the necessity to build my own fire, which was really nice. The restrooms were nearby and clean and stocked with paper, etc. The store was nearby, as well as some trails to some sequoia groves for activities with extra time. It was exactly what I wanted.

Perfect location

Crane flat was amazing! Great location for hiking north dome, clean bathrooms, and spacious campsites. 228 was especially nice as it is surrounded by boulders. Would definitely go back!

We stayed at campsite 225 mid August which was 1st one on loop so had lots of people stop and ask us questions (which was okay). They thought I was the campground host. Was near the restrooms which were kept pretty clean but not enough shade for our tent.
Not too bad a drive to Yosemite Valley and a visit to historic Foresta to the right on the way is a must to see old barns, etc. Since Crane Flat is right at the corner of Tioga Pass, we spent a day driving that road and seeing Tenaya Lake and beyond to the Visitor's Center.
We enjoyed astronomy night on the hill at the helicopter pad. Could even see the valley lights of Fresno and Modesto, etc from the old fire tower.

We liked Crane Flate very much: it's a quiet campground and our site was at the edge of the wood, it looked like we were into the wild and we had deers visit us. Restrooms are few and generally far away, especially from certain sites, and there's no showers (the only pubblic showers are in the Curry Village).
The location is not the best one because is far away from the main attractions but this is also the reason for quietness in the campground. In any case, Yosemite Village is a 20-30 min of car and the Tioga Pass Road starts just a few meters from the exit of the campground.