Bodie, California

Bodie State Historic Park
Bridgeport, California
(760) 647-6445
Bodie, California Website

• Hours: Open daily, but hours vary by season and Bodie is accessible only by over-snow vehicles in winter
• Reservations: Not required, but if you want to take a tour, head for the museum right away to sign up
• Cost: California State Parks day-use fee
• Location: 13 miles east of US 395 near Mono Lake, between Lee Vining and Bridgeport, California. See driving directions and cautions below
• How Long: Allow several hours to all day, depending on whether you take any guided tours
• Best Time to Visit: During summer, the park is open longer hours and a variety of tours are offered, but it can get hot at mid-day. For the best photographs, stick around as late as you can.

Perhaps one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the western United States, Bodie, California, was once home to over 10,000 gold-seekers, a wild, wide-open gold mining town that some thought even God had forsaken.

Bodie, California Review

With almost 200 structures still standing, Bodie, California, became a state park in 1962. Since then, it's been preserved in a state of "arrested decay," which means nothing is repaired, but nothing is allowed to fall down, either.

Bodie, California, appeals to most everyone who shows up there, but especially to those who enjoy stories of the Gold Rush and Old West.

Be Prepared for Bodie, California

No food or drink (other than bottled water sold in the museum) is available in Bodie, California, and you'll likely end up spending more time here than you expected. Bring a picnic and plenty of water.

Because of its altitude and desert location, the air in Bodie, California is especially dry and risk of sunburn is high. Bring along the items in our high altitude travel kit to stay comfortable.

Getting to Bodie, California

Bodie, California, is 13 miles east of US 395 between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. The first 10 miles of road is paved and take about 15 minutes to drive. The last 3 miles of dirt road seem to be perpetually washboarded and can take 10 minutes or more to cross. The drive to Bodie, California is not recommended for anyone with severe back or neck problems or any other condition that could be aggravated by the bumps.

Special Concerns for Bodie

Bodie is at 8,375 feet elevation. Before you go, take a look at our high elevation checklist. It will help keep you well and comfortable.