Today’s “RVing Today” quick stop is Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park and Campground located on State Highway 88 near Pinegrove, California, in the Highway 49 Gold Rush Country. The small campground features 23 paved dry campsites, some. with pull throughs, water stand pipes, and a modern shower and flusher bathroom facility. Picnic tables and fire rings, used in season, of course, are part of each campsite. Its curving accessed road and modest site sizes mean the park is limited to RVs 27 feet long or less. The campground is open all year around. We were there during the off season, it had few neighbors nearby, so things were quiet and calm throughout. A Ram and Palomino camper combination was a fine fit in our campsite that overlooked the grinding rock meadow and displays. Chaw-Se Regional Indian Museum and historic Miwok Indian site is a short walk or drive from the campground.

The Broad Meadow area incorporates reproduction Miwok structures, including the ceremonial roundhouse and a village with traditional bark houses. Its namesake grinding rock, a bed of marbleized limestone, features 1,185 grinding holes, plus 365 petroglyphs. The Miwok Indians used the grinding holes to pound acorns and other seeds into flour to make useful food products or medicines. Acorns were an important part of the Miwok diet, and this place with its ancient and abundant oak trees was an important tribal gathering area. Hiking trails give visitors a chance to stretch their legs while learning about the local fauna and flora. The Chaw Se Museum is. a professional operation managed by California State Parks. Its displays illustrate the local Miwok Indian culture and history of the grinding rock area. Descriptive displays and historic or reproduction artifacts help tell the Miwok Indian story. It’s not all good news, but it’s part of the historic record. A hands-on demo area includes typical Miwok uses of animal and plant products, including a ceremonial rattle made from deer hooves. And, of course, there’s a gift shop with toys, souvenirs, and books available. 

Peaceful camping in a quiet scenic location and a chance to learn more about the local native culture add up to a fun place to spend some time in the Sierra Foothills. For more information about Indian Grinding Rock State Park, log on to our website at RVingToday.tv. Jeff: Beautiful place. And if you happen to be heading for this campground on a Sunday morning and you have a hankering for a really great breakfast, stop in the town of Mokelumne Hill, little bit south of here on Highway 49 at the Renegade Winery. They only serve breakfast on Sunday mornings, but boy is it great stuff. We happened to eat there the other day, and it was fantastic. So, if you got a hankering, again, you’re hungry on a Sunday morning, stop in Renegade Winery, Mokelumne Hill. You won’t go wrong.