Reservations are important, sometimes requiring a five month advance application. Crane Flat’s 166 sites accommodate some sizeable creatures, including 35-foot RVs, 27-foot trailers, and wheelchairs, as well, on sites 423 and 427.
Summer access to hiking trails is a cinch since Crane Flat puts campers right at Tioga Road. Enhanced by stops at Tuolumne Grove and Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya and Mono Lakes, and Tioga Pass, the scenic drive along Tioga Road remains a huge draw.
In days of yore half of Crane Flat’s campsites were available on a first come, first served basis, but that is no longer the case. Reservations are the word of the day here, with emphasis on early application. The easy accessibility, proximity to the hub of the park, and variety of campsite options make this one of the most sought after spots for park visitors intending to car camp, tent camp, and live it up in an RV. Some sites are quite hilly, so if you’re piloting a behemoth and prefer something a bit flatter, choose a site in the 200 or 300 loop sections.