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Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
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INDIAN GRINDING ROCK STATE HISTORIC PARK
INDIAN GRINDING ROCK STATE HISTORIC PARK
14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road
Pine Grove, California   95665

Phone: 209-296-7488
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills eight miles east of Jackson. The park nestles in a little valley 2,400 feet above sea level with open meadows and large valley oaks that once provided the native Americans of this area with an ample supply of acorns. The park was created in 1968 and preserves a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes -- the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America.

Nature of the Area
The park is small, but offers many opportunities to observe wildlife. The mixture of oak woodlands and mixed pine forest provides a wide variety of habitats, just as it did in previous centuries when the Miwok lived here in the old way.

Birdlife varies depending on the season, but many species are seen year round, including turkey vultures, scrub and Steller?s jays, California quail, acorn and hairy woodpeckers, northern flickers, hermit thrushes, wild turkeys (non-native), and California thrashers. In summer, the bright colors of the western tanager, northern oriole, calliope and Anna?s hummingbirds can be seen in the woods around the meadow. A bird list is available at the museum.

Animal life in and around the park includes deer, fox, gray and California ground squirrels, black-tailed jackrabbits, bobcats, bats, and occasionally a mountain lion or black bear. The legendary coyote ? the trickster of Miwok legend ? can be heard singing on quiet summer nights.

History of the Area
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, Indian Grinding Rock was established as a state historic park in 1968. The site preserves an outcrop of marbleized limestone with over 1,000 mortar holes-the largest collection of bedrock mortars anywhere in North America-indicating its historical significance for Native American tribes.

The area is believed to have been occupied by various indigenous groups for thousands of years and served primarily as a location where acorns were ground into meal-a staple food source-for these communities.

In addition to preserving this important archaeological feature, the park also houses Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum which opened on May 31st,1976 showcasing artifacts from local tribes and providing insight into their culture and history.

Furthermore,the reconstructed Miwok village including bark houses (U'macha') within the premises provides visitors with further understanding about traditional living practices among native inhabitants prior to European contact.

Today it continues serving not only as an educational resource but also hosts annual events such as Big Time festival celebrating tribal customs,culture,and traditions thereby keeping alive rich heritage associated with this unique landmark.
Camping
The parks has 23 campsites with paved parking (trailers and motor homes up to 27 feet), tables, food lockers, fire rings, piped water, restrooms with showers and flush toilets. Wood gathering is not allowed but firewood may be brought in or purchased at the park. Campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis. The park is open for camping all year but is subject to closure during Special Events or times of heavy snowfall.


Location
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located near Ione, Carmichael and Elk Grove

Day Use Area
The day use area of the park contains the reconstructed Miwok village, which includes the Grinding Rock itself, bark houses, acorn granaries, a game field and the Ceremonial Round House. A picnic area with a shade ramada near the grinding rock can accommodate large groups (up to 150 persons). Reservations for the area are not accepted. There is also a small picnic area next to the museum. Please do not use campsites for picnicking. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all areas of the park except the 23 developed family campsites at all times.

Picnicking
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park in California offers several picnicking options for visitors. The park has a day-use area where guests can enjoy their meals on picnic tables surrounded by the beauty of nature. There are also BBQ grills available for those who prefer to cook outdoors. For larger groups, there is a group picnic area that must be reserved ahead of time through the park's office or website. Visitors should remember to pack out all trash and food waste as part of respecting this historic site and its natural surroundings.

Trails
There are two developed trails within the park. The North Trail, a one-mile round-trip, starts near the museum. It traverses the ridge surrounding the meadow, passes by the old farm site, crosses the creek and continues to the reconstructed Miwok village site before returning to the museum by way of the roundhouse and grinding rock.

The half-mile long South Trail is a self guided nature trail and starts near the roundhouse. The trail guide describes the ethnobotany of the area and identifies some of the plants that were used by the Miwok.


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Directions
The park is northeast of Stockton in the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Take State Highway 88 East through Jackson to the town of Pine Grove. Take a left turn on the Pine-Grove-Volcano Road, and about a mile and a half later you will enter the Park. The SECOND turnoff is the main entrance (the first is to the small campground).

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