June 30, 2024 – Yosemite National Park officials announce updates to the Crane Flat Campground, thanks to a $9.8 million investment from the Great American Outdoors Act.

Formative memories are made by roasting marshmallows over a campfire, playing cards at a picnic table, and waking up with the sun peeking through your tent’s rainfly.

Thanks to a $9.8 million investment from the Great American Outdoors Act, Crane Flat Campground has undergone an in-tents makeover that will provide a comfortable, outdoor living space to create many memories to come.

Before closing in 2020, Crane Flat would host over 100,000 visitors annually. No upgrades had been made to the site since 1962, and modernization efforts were needed to meet the high volume of visitors and protect the facilities and natural resources adjacent to the campground.

Project manager Matt Outhier approached the redesign by reflecting on his outdoor experiences as a Boy Scout and by hearing firsthand what visitors sought from their camping experience. Not only did the design and engineering team pore over visitor reviews of the campground, but Matt also spent many nights at Crane Flat, especially during the construction phase, to get a feel for the place.

Under Matt's diligent leadership, crews created level ground for more than 160 campsites and built and installed tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof storage lockers for each site.

Eight campsites are now fully accessible with elevated bear boxes, accessible, double-walled fire rings, and navigable paths that connect to comfort stations.

Reflecting on the project completion, Matt looks forward to seeing visitor reactions and reviews about the campground. Project manager Matt Outhier says, "This is another example of how the Great American Outdoors Act is transforming parks across the country.”

Source & photos: NPS