Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Also known as Indian Grinding Rock SHP
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $8 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(209) 296-7488
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Amador County, about 9 miles northeast of Jackson, Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park covers about 132 acres.
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, picnicking, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
| Visitor center — Museum | Not stated | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Museum Hours: 10 am - 4 pm The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| $8.00/per vehicle | $8 · vehicle |
| $25.00/ per small bus | $25 · bus |
| $50.00/ per large bus | $50 · bus |
| $8.00/per motorcycle | $8 · motorcycle |
| $30.00/ per night | $30 · night |
| $35.00/per night | $35 · night |
| $8.00/per night | $8 · night |
| $1.00 off day use | $1 · day |
| $2.00 off camping | $2 |
| Vehicle Day Use | $8 |
| Bus, Large | $50 |
| Bus, Small | $25 |
Official wording
Day Use $8.00/per vehicle $25.00/ per small bus $50.00/ per large bus Motorcycle Day Use $8.00/per motorcycle Camping $30.00/ per night Holiday Camping $35.00/per night Camping Extra Vehicle $8.00/per night Senior Discounts $1.00 off day use $2.00 off camping Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use: $8.00 • Bus, Large: $50.00 • Bus, Small: $25.00
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs are only allowed on paved paths. Prior to leaving for the park, learn about activities, dogs in the park, rules, and available facilities. Prior to leaving for the park, learn about activities, dogs in the park, rules, and available facilities.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
The 135-acre park preserves a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes -- the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. A ceremonial roundhouse and reconstructed bark houses are present in the center of the park. Additionally, camping is available on the southside of the park.
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. Turn left turn on Pine Grove-Volcano Road and proceed approximately 1.5 miles. The first left is the campground and the second left is the park’s main entrance to the parking and the museum.
Overnight facilities: Tent Camping, Remote Camping, RV Access
From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursPicnickingRanger and interpretive programsWildlife viewing and birdingHikingCamping
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills 12 miles east of Jackson, CA. The park is nestled 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. The Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum, featuring a variety of exhibits and an outstanding collection of Sierra Nevada Indian artifacts, is on site as well as a reconstructed Miwok village complete with a ceremonial roundhouse. Phone (209) 296-7488 for more information.
Read more from the park
Camping
Two campsites are accessible (#7 and #13), including parking and routes. An accessible route from site #7 connects to the combination restroom/shower building. An accessible water station is nearby site #13. The combo building is accessible and includes dedicated accessible parking.
Trails
The North Trail ‘out-and-back’ accessible that is 0.62 miles each way. The accessible segment begins at the main parking area near the amphitheater and ends at a seating area located near the junction of the North Trail and the Loop Trail. The accessible segment includes a trestle bridge crossing over Else Creek, views of the Historic Farmhouse, and a hike through a mixed hardwood forest. The surface is compacted soil. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 11%. Accessible parking is located at the parking area.
Trail Name Running Slope Cross Slope Trail Width Trail Surface
North Trail 4% Average 4 FT Average Soil
11% Maximum 5% Maximum 4 FT Minimum
Exhibits/Programs
Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum: The museum is generally accessible. Most of the exhibit areas are accessibly designed and located. Accessible restrooms are located on the exterior of the museum, on the lower floor. An accessible paved path leads from the museum and its restrooms to the picnic area and some of the exhibits, including the Bedrock Mortar and Petroglyphs, and toward the Ceremonial Roundhouse.
The campfire center, adjacent to the museum, is on an accessible route and includes seating for wheelchairs.
Bedrock Mortar and Petroglyphs: Visitors may view the mortars and petroglyphs from an accessible wood observation deck a few feet above the rocks.
Ceremonial Roundhouse: An accessible path constructed of compacted aggregate extends to within 50 feet of the roundhouse. Native soil connects the accessible path to the threshold of the roundhouse. The roundhouse serves as the focus of traditional dances and ceremonies held by local Miwok and other California tribes, and is only open to the public twice a year during certain celebrations. The remainder of the year the interior may be viewed only through a barred door.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
Know before you go
Prior to leaving for the park, learn about activities, dogs in the park, rules, and available facilities.
Indian Grinding rock is a great place to explore in every season just be sure to check the forecasted weather before your trip. Most precipitation falls in the form of rain, but snow does occasionally fall in the winter.
Getting there
- Address
- 14881 Pine Grove Volcano Road
Pine Grove, CA 95665 - Nearest town
- Jackson — about 9 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.4256, -120.6400
- Phone
- (209) 296-7488
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, CA 95665 The address is 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, Ca. Take State Highway 88 East through Jackson to the town of Pine Grove. Turn left turn on Pine Grove-Volcano Road and proceed approximately 1.5 miles. The first left is the campground and the second left is the park’s main entrance to the parking and the museum.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology