NatureBridge invites cohorts of families to learn together, laugh together and build a lifetime of memories as part of Yosemite Family Camp. NatureBridge’s Crane Flat campus will serve as your base camp for exploring one of the country’s most iconic national parks. Relax under a canopy of tall trees, go on educational hikes led by our experienced educators and explore the grandeur Yosemite has to offer. Yosemite Family Camp is best suited for ages 7 and up.
The Yosemite team looks forward to reassessing our ability to offer this type of program in the future for families, however, NatureBridge will not be offering Family Camp programs for summer 2023. Thank you for your interest!
Over fun-filled weekend, families can:
Morning: Enjoy breakfast, pack backpacks and prepare for the day. Families will meet educators at the trailheads using their own vehicles.
Instructional Day on Trail: Spend the day in family cohorts led by an experienced NatureBridge educator. Participants engage in educational experiences that encourage exploration, observation and discovery in various parts of the park.
Sample Activities
Afternoon/Early Evening: Return to campus to relax, unwind and enjoy dinner.
Evening: NatureBridge educators facilitate evening programs that could include stargazing and campfire circles. Participants then return to the dorms and get ready for bed.
Yosemite Family Camp is being coordinated in cooperation with the National Park Service and US Public Health Service officials following CDC guidelines for outdoor camps. The safety of our participants and staff is our number one priority and guides every aspect of the program. In order to ensure safe distancing, family groups will be organized into individual family cohorts that have their own designated bunk house. We will coordinate alternating times for accessing the central bath/shower house. Masks and social distancing will be maintained when we're interacting together. NatureBridge has a robust Health & Safety Plan that all participants and staff will be required to review and follow.
Long the home of Yosemite's first people, Yosemite's Crane Flat area, located 30 minutes north of Yosemite Valley, has been an important historical crossroads. For centuries it was part of the trans-Sierra trading route, as well as a way-station for travelers and sheep-herders headed to the high country. Surrounded by a mixture of pines and black oaks, the meadows are home to a grand diversity of wildlife. NatureBridge's Crane Flat campus sits directly in this natural and cultural intersection. Our Crane Flat campus has two rustic bunk houses, a central dining hall and a bath/shower house amidst Yosemite's natural beauty. Make no mistake, this is camp!
Because of the altitude (6,200 feet) and surrounding trees, it is about five to ten degrees cooler than Yosemite Valley. You can expect cold nights and crisp fall days. Be prepared for rain and snow as the weather can change unexpectedly.
The kitchen prepares hearty home cooked meals, served family style in each cohort’s designated table. With advance notice, we can usually accommodate most dietary needs (e.g., nut free; vegetarian; gluten free). If you are concerned about meeting dietary needs, you are also welcome to bring supplemental food and snacks. Families should bring their own coolers to store personal food overnight in the NatureBridge kitchen.
Each family cohort will have a designated side of the bunk house with bunk beds. Linens are not provided, so be sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, personal toiletries and a fitted sheet (twin size). Refer to the 'Your Stay at Crane Flat' section above for more information about the facilities.
Yes, there may be up to four family cohorts on campus during each session.
Yes. There is a central bathhouse on campus and the NatureBridge site manager will help facilitate shower sign ups in an effort to maintain CDC guidelines.
Educators will adjust hiking mileage based on each family cohort's abilities and comfort levels. While it is possible to opt out of an activity, we encourage everyone to participate to get the most robust experience possible. The educational program is an important component of Family Camp. Children should be under direct parent/guardian supervision at all times. If you choose to leave campus during part of your stay, you will need to sign in and out of the program so that we know where you are in the event of an emergency.
No. Families will need to meet educators at the trailheads using their own vehicles.
Yosemite Family Camp is best suited for ages 7 (second grade). Educational content will be geared towards learning in a multi-age family setting. Our educators can adjust hiking mileage based on each family cohort's abilities and comfort levels.
NatureBridge will serve a bottle of wine with dinner on the first night and participants are allowed to bring their own beer and wine. However, hard alcohol is discouraged. NatureBridge's Alcohol Policy can be found here.
Cell phone service is spotty in Yosemite because of the mountainous terrain, but it may be available depending on your location. You will likely find connectivity on campus if you have Verizon Wireless or Sprint. AT&T does not have service at Crane Flat. NatureBridge has a land line that can be used in emergencies. We are on satellite internet at Crane Flat and cannot provide internet access. Due to such limited cell coverage and internet access, be prepared to disconnect completely, unless an emergency arises.
We may be able to make special exceptions for later arrivals with advance notice, but encourage you to plan for the standard program arrival time. You are welcome to depart the program early; however, we do not provide program discounts for late arrivals and early departures.
The Yosemite team looks forward to reassessing our ability to offer this type of program in the future for families, however, NatureBridge will not be offering Family Camp programs for summer 2023.
Lodging | Family cohort size | Price | Option to increase |
Dorm | up to 4 participants | $1,500 | up to 10 additional participants at $350/person |
What is included with my purchase?
What is a family cohort?
REQUIRED: All participants must fill out an online registration form prior to arrival. A link to the form will be sent to you after you register.
Do not rely on phone GPS to get to campus, print or download the driving directions below.
Bay Area to Crane Flat via 120