Ahwahnee, whose name derives from Indian term for "mouth," is located in Madera County, California, in the Madera metro area. Within minutes of Ahwahnee, you can view exhibits of gold specimens, an underground tunnel and a scale model of a five-stamp quartz mill in the California State Mining and Mineral Museum and view exhibits that include the only five-stamp mill in the state, take gold panning lessons and see a miner's typical one-room cabin in the Mariposa Museum & History Center. Each year on the third Saturday of October, Gathering Day, where you can enjoy demonstrations of dancing, crafts and basket weaving, is held here. One of the best places to visit when you are in Ahwahnee is Wassama Round House State Historic Park, which is used by local Native Americans as a ceremonial meeting place and offers special events and tours.