Explore Ancient Miwok Village Site- Self-Guided & Arrowhead Huntat Somerset Rancheria

The Miwok people, who are indigenous to California, were known for their close relationship with nature and their deep connection to the land. Somerset Rancheria sits on land that was first settled by the Plain and Sierra Miwok people and it was once home to one of the largest known Miwok villages and settlement sites in Somerset. This area is rich with history, including dozens of bedrock mortars and a rock lined trails that hint at what life at this summer settlement site must have been like. 

Visitors to Somerset Rancheria have the opportunity to immerse themselves in exploration of this ancient site through self-guided access of known trails and the surrounding areas, including the seasonal creek, which can be accessed by machete. The village site is also home to the largest known collection of undisturbed grinding stones (Chaw'se) in Somerset. These bedrock mortars, which were used by the Miwok people to grind acorn and seed into meal, serve as a reminder of the generational connection the Miwok people have to the land and their deep roots in this area.

Through preserving this indigenous site and recognizing the connection it has to the Miwok people, Somerset Rancheria honors the legacy of the first stewards of this land and offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the rich history and culture of the Miwok people. Tent access and RV/Trailer space is available for overnight and multiple day adventures.