Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground

We ended up at this small campground because our potential boondocking spots were completely snowed in up top.  So glad we did as it is tucked away on the grounds of an amazing state park!

Most of the sites are small with a lot of tree coverage. It was quiet, quaint, and clean. We found a good site that provided just enough sky for both our 400W portable solar panel and Starlink to work pretty well. The bathroom building has flush toilets, was kept clean, and warm showers. 

But the campground isn’t the reason to come here...it’s the history! This little park tucked into the Western Sierras will blow your mind. It is a significant Miwok Native American historical site, with home sites, ancient Oak trees, and literally thousands of grain, and acorn grinding stones located in the central part of the park. 

The visitor’s center is a must-see and brings the location to life. In cooperation with the local tribes, the state manages the site and visitor’s center for the public. Take a walk on the interpretive trail, hike the adventure trails, fish in the creek, or attend a special program. It is a beautiful place to spend a few days. 

The nearby town of Pine Grove has a few restaurants and grocery stores to get what you might need.

Indian grinding rock is the place to go if you just want to be in nature. So peaceful to hear all the birds in the morning , the frogs at night. Plenty of wildlife to see in the day use area as well. We saw some deer and turkeys. There’s a fishing lake not too far from here either.

This is a lovely campground, which is adjacent to the park. If you stay in the campground you get into the park free, and can explore the grounds, also the museum. Each spot has a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are paid showers, and bathrooms that also accommodate HandiCapable campers. There was one bird that came through the campground the last night we were there but did not disturb us only routed through a garbage can, making a mess. The last night we were there we ventured into the parks opened field to see all the stars. It was spectacular. You can buy wood. The small town is not that far away with gas stations and stores it stay open late. We were there in August and it was very very hot. $30 per night and they offer discounts for senior of $2 off or Handicapped with 50% off. Extra cars are $8 per vehicle which I think is too steep of a charge. Tokens can be bought for the showers, but make sure you only buy what you need, because there is no cashing in the left overs

Campsites all have parking pad and area for your tent. Picnic table and campfire ring too! Flush toilets are cleaned regularly and showers take Tokens. Trails are easy, museum is filled with great local indian history. Wild turkey's roam free every morning!

It was incredible to stay here where there were tons of amenities. A sink for washing dishes, clean flushing toilets, showers, trash bins, tables, grills. Bring your binoculars and a sun hat and look for the woodpeckers nesting in the giant black oak tree. Visit the black chasm caverns nearby too!

We tent camped in this state campground for two nights. The campground is well shaded (good luck with solar).  It's small with only 23 sites. Perfect weekend getaway for Northern California families, about 3 hours from Bay Area.

Next to a beautiful state operated historical park with lots of open space, tall ancient oak trees and two easy trails. Open space great for games, frisbee, soccer, or setup a volleyball net. Grass is mowed. Many shaded picnic tables. We enjoyed hiking the South trail, which is about 1/2 a mile with nature markers matching to an information guide. Kids will enjoy going inside the roundhouses (teepee like structures). Stop by the free museum. The ranger was very knowledgeable and engaged the kids well covering the history of artifacts.

Pros

- Very clean bathrooms. They were cleaned and sterilized twice a day according to the ranger. Flush toilets. Hot water showers, requiring coins (change machine).  

- Campsite host on site. There are also rangers nearby at the park. 

- Sites reservable

- Very close to Black Chasm Cavern, which is a paid guided tour cavern. Kids can search for fossils and minerals in the water trough next to gift shop. Just buy a bag of dirt. 

- Two trails: a short South trail near the campsite and a longer North trail.

- ADA site and many accessible areas & bathroom 

- Campfire rings and tables at campsites. Each site appeared to have a flat tent spot available. 

Cons

- You can hear cars and trucks going by at night on nearby Pine Grove Volcano Rd. Not too bad, but does take away the ambiance of being in the outdoors. This is why I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

- Some of the sites are close together. They are closer than appear on camp map.  Another reason for 4 out of 5 stars. 

- Dogs cannot go on trails. They can only go to open fields at historical park and campground, which is plenty for dog walking. 

- Water spigots are shared among multiple sites (not one per site). No hookups. 

Our family would definitely go again.

Went camping with a couple friends and had a great time. The bathrooms are really clean, the sites are pretty spread out, and it was quiet. Lots of shade, and plenty of water spigot. We had sites 18 & 20. I would have given 5 stars, except our site, 18, didn't have a very big tent pad, and our tent barely fit. The site was pretty large, but only one small flat part. Our friends had site 20, which had a couple flat spots, but none very big. They have a massive tent and had to set it up in the driveway.

We were also surprised by how close the historic area was. Very short walk from our campsite. It was great to walk around and learn something new about the natives to the land!

One bonus, only 2 hours from the bay area!

Great camp spot, very peaceful. So much to do in a short distance from camp! I highly recommend the black chasm cave tour!it rained pretty heavy our first night but because the campsites are nestled in the trees it was totally bearable! We are definitely coming back here! The camp host was a super cool guy 🤠

First camping adventure with family and our new rig.  Could not have been better! Smaller campground with 20-some sites.  Most are well shaded.  Short nature hike from campground to grinding rock.  Museum closed (COVID), but Rangers were very helpful and suggested The Black Chasm.  Black Chasm is a small, but unique cavern about 5 minutes drive from campground and well worth the visit.

This was my second time staying and it was just as amazing as the last time we stayed. The showers and bathrooms are always clean. We arrived and there were no other people staying so it was quiet. Took a little hike around the trail, grinding rock and went to the free museum this time. You can’t beat $30 a night to stay at this place.

Stayed for two nights and it was so quiet. It’s the perfect campsite that allows campfires, has showers and restrooms, and has a hiking trail. There’s a nearby convenience store called the Dollar General if you need to grab a few last minute items. Highly recommend going to the Black Chasm Cavern nearby. It’s the perfect campsite, I will be visiting again soon!

We were here during the off season in early March, it was cold, but the campsite was comfortable with all the leaves on the ground. The bathrooms were fine, nothing spectacular. The real draw for this campground are the hiking trails that crisscross nearby and that lead you to the Chawse Native American cultural/historical area. They have rebuilt Native American style dwellings and have placards to explain how the native Americans would grind the acorns to make a meal for their food. All in all a great spot to stop.