Crane Flat
Make no bones about it, if you and your pooch are looking for a convenient base camp from which to explore Yosemite National Park, it’s hard to beat Crane Flat Campground. The campground is just thirty minutes from Yosemite Valley, and while you won’t find any electricity, water hook-ups or showers here, if you and your doggo are willing to "ruff" it a bit, you can reap the benefit of staying in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful surroundings in all of California! There are also a couple of ADA-accessible sites in the campground, but as Crane Flat is understandably popular with all kinds of visitors to the national park, it’s best to book early to ensure that you get a site that suits your needs. You can make reservations up to five months in advance.
You won’t need to go too far from your tent to experience the area’s spectacular scenery -- the campground is tucked away in wooded wonderland, with gorgeous wildflower meadows just outside its borders. While the Merced and Tuolumne groves of giant redwoods are equidistant from the campground (about a three-mile hike for each), Tuolumne is a better bet -- hound dog hikers aren’t allowed at Merced Groves. Of course, you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, and other fantastically Fido-friendly hiking trails, but if you’d like to explore fur-ther, keep in mind that some routes in the park are off-limits to pets. It’s best to check the National Park website before you head off on your journey.
There’s no wifi at Crane Flat Campground, and cellular coverage ranges from spotty to non-existent for most networks. Consider your camping choice carefully if you need to be constantly contactable. Otherwise, enjoy your digital detox! Campfires are permitted at the campground, but only in designated rings. You’ll also find drinking water at the campground -- be sure to fill up those bottles if you’re going hiking! There’s also a general store just a couple of miles from the camp. Remember to bring waste bags for your buddy, and have a furrific trip!
