Obsidian Flat Group Campground
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Obsidian Flat Group Campground sits at 7818 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a designated group site offering direct access to alpine lake and meadow country. Exposed to afternoon wind funnels common to the elevation.
Wind drives conditions here. Mornings are typically calm; afternoons build steadily as thermal gradients strengthen and gusts channel off nearby water. The 30-day average wind runs 9 mph, but expect spikes to 28 mph by mid-afternoon. Cold lingers even in late spring; the 30-day average temperature sits at 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Over the past 30 days the average NoGo Score has held at 16.0, with the average temperature at 35 degrees and average wind at 9 mph. The week ahead will show typical spring volatility for this elevation; plan morning visits to avoid the afternoon wind peak. Watch the trend chart for temperature swings and wind gusts that can shift conditions rapidly.
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About Obsidian Flat Group Campground
Obsidian Flat Group Campground is a reserved group-only site in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, situated at 7818 feet on the eastern approach to the high country. The campground serves as a staging point for access to alpine lakes and meadow drainages in the Mono Basin transition zone. Primary access runs via Highway 120 eastbound from Yosemite Valley or westbound from Lee Vining and US 395. The drive from the Valley takes roughly 2 hours; from Lee Vining, roughly 1.5 hours. No day-use parking; overnight reservation required. The site accommodates group sizes only, making it a natural choice for organized parties seeking high-elevation basecamp access.
Conditions at Obsidian Flat are shaped by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the typical high-Sierra spring pattern; overnight freezes occur even late in the season. Wind averages 9 mph over the rolling 30 days, but afternoon thermals routinely drive gusts to 28 mph as the day heats. Afternoons are windy; mornings are markedly calmer. Crowding averages 12 over the 30-day window, substantially lower than valley-floor campgrounds, because group-only designation limits turnover and access. Snow lingers in shaded aspects through May. By late June, the site transitions to reliable dry conditions and clearer afternoon skies, though wind remains consistent.
Obsidian Flat is best suited to groups planning multi-day lake and meadow trips, or parties staging backcountry access. Experienced alpine campers expect cold nights, afternoon wind, and the need to secure tents and gear. The lower crowding (average 12 vs 30+ at popular valley sites) reflects both the group-only policy and the site's role as a pass-through rather than a destination in itself. Parties should plan kitchen and water activities for morning hours before wind peaks. Vehicle-camping parties should arrive by mid-afternoon to set camp before dusk winds strengthen. Groups unfamiliar with high-elevation exposure or afternoon wind dynamics often underestimate setup time.
Nearby alternatives include Tioga Lake Campground, situated 4 miles east at a similar elevation but with different aspect and exposure patterns, and various Inyo National Forest sites along the US 395 corridor south of Lee Vining. Tenaya Lake, accessed via Highway 120 west toward Yosemite, offers lower-elevation camping (8100 feet) with somewhat milder afternoon wind and higher crowding. For parties seeking true seclusion and alpine access, Obsidian Flat's group-only constraint is a filter; nearby public lakeside camping fills faster and carries more exposure to day-use traffic.