How to Visit California Ghost Town: Bodie State Historic Park
Visiting Bodie is a must stop as part of a Highway 395 camping trip. While the location is a bit remote, it is well worth it! My two children especially loved visiting a ghost town, and I highly recommend it if you love history, photography, or just wandering unusual or eerie places. Use these tips for how to visit Bodie to help you plan how to visit a California ghost town.
Why Visit Bodie?
Bodie State Historic Park is California’s best preserved ghost town. Deep in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains on the border of California and Nevada, it was originally home to nearly 10,000 residents during California’s Gold Rush. Now Bodie is a well preserved, smaller version of itself where you can see a fascinating piece of California history.
Instead of buildings that have been restored or rebuilt, all of Bodie is in a state of “arrested decay” because the buildings look just like they did when the town was abandoned. Weathered wooden buildings, rusting automobiles, and wide-open sagebrush landscapes create a unique, haunting atmosphere — excellent for photographing!
Besides Bodie’s history as a mining center during the Gold Rush, it also has a wild past. It was once known as the “most lawless, wild and tough mining town in the West” and a “sea of sin”! If you do a little research and read the information provided to you when you visit Bodie, you can unearth some of these stories.
Is Bodie a real ghost town?
A ghost town is a town deserted after natural resources are used up or some other event causes the town to be left behind. Yes, Bodie is a real ghost town! It is clearly real and authentic, unlike recreated Old West attractions or occupied Gold Rush towns like Columbia and Volcano.
Bodie is considered the best preserved ghost town from the Gold Rush era. More than 100 original buildings still stand, with homes, stores, a church, a schoolhouse, a saloon and more frozen in time. Its isolated location allowed the town to be preserved after the last residents left in 1942.
Looking through dusty windows and walking inside some interiors, you’ll see reminders of everyday life in the late 1800s and early 1900s: furniture, dishes, tools, and merchandise exactly where they were left decades ago.
History of Bodie
Bodie was founded in 1859 as part of the California Gold Rush. Two men, William S. Bodey and E.S. Taylor, discovered gold here, but Bodey died shortly after during a snowstorm. In its first years, the town remained very small until the Bunker Hill Mine discovered large amounts of gold and silver in 1876. This resulted in a huge number of people moving to Bodie, and by 1879, the town had grown to over 250 buildings and 10,000 residents.
The total estimated output of the Bodie gold and silver mines between 1876 and 1941 was $70 million, with 1879 being its biggest year.
A large number of migrants from China moved to Bodie and formed a “Chinatown” northwest of Main and King Streets. Because they faced so much discrimination in the mines, many of them began working in service jobs such as selling wood and operating laundries and even gambling halls and opium dens. Their presence was an important part of Bodie, with Chinese New Year celebrations and other cultural rituals documented in Bodie newspapers.
Soon after the gold boom, the city developed a reputation for danger and wild living. An active nightlife scene with saloons, breweries, gambling halls and a red light district resulted in frequent fights and violence. This reputation resulted in expressions such as “a bad man from Bodie.”
Bodie’s decline began right after its boom in 1879 when many residents left to find better mining opportunities in other towns. By 1886, the population had already declined to about 1,500 residents. In 1892, there was a fire that destroyed many buildings including a large portion of Main Street, and another fire occurred in 1932. When mining was ended in 1942, the few remaining residents left, and Bodie was abandoned.
What to see in Bodie
The Main Street
Walking down Bodie’s broad Main Street feels like stepping back into the Wild West. On this street, you’ll find the bank ruins, firehouse, former hotels, and the museum and visitor’s center.
Museum/Miner’s Union Hall
Don’t miss going inside the old Miner’s Union Hall to explore the museum and visitor’s center. This museum is small but has many interesting artifacts to look at, including bank logs that show prices and other interesting tidbits from the town’s history.
The Methodist Church
One of Bodie’s most recognizable landmarks, the Methodist Church has become an icon of the ghost town. Built in 1882, it remains remarkably well preserved.
The Schoolhouse
I loved peeking through the windows of the former schoolhouse! You can get a glimpse into education during the mining boom, with desks, maps, and other classroom artifacts still visible inside.
The General Store
Here you can look through the windows to see shelves stocked with original goods, old cash registers, bottles, and everyday items left behind when the town declined. So fascinating to see real products from the past!
Homes Frozen in Time
Many of the houses still contain furniture, clothing, kitchenware, and personal belongings, making it easy to imagine the families who once lived there.
Dog-Face George’s House
Little is known now about who Dog-Face George was, but this strange little house at the edge of town and his unusual name allowed us imagine who might have lived here.
Mining Equipment
Scattered throughout town are abandoned stamp mills, wagons, machinery, and mining equipment that helped make Bodie one of California’s richest gold-mining towns. You can visit the Standard Stamp Mill on the edge of town and take a guided tour to learn more.
The Cemetery
Located just outside town, the cemetery tells the story of the harsh realities of frontier life. Many graves belong to miners and families who lived in Bodie during its boom years.
The Bank Vault
The bank opened in 1878 and operated until it was destroyed in the fire of 1932. Only the brick vault and the safe inside are still standing.
How to Visit a California Ghost Town: Bodie State Historic Park
How to get to Bodie?
Bodie State Historic Park is located about 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe and approximately 20 miles east of U.S. Highway 395 near Bridgeport. The final 3 miles of Bodie Road are unpaved so be prepared to drive slowly, as the road can be a bit rough and dusty.
How long should you spend in Bodie?
We spent almost 3 hours in Bodie and found that it was plenty of time to visit the museum and explore most of the existing buildings. You could get a good ideas by hitting the highlights in about an hour, or you could stay longer to see more and take a guided tours of the historic stamp mill to learn how gold ore was processed.
Best Time to Visit Bodie
Late spring through early fall typically offers easy access to Bodie, with clear roads and comfortable weather. Fall brings cooler weather and fewer visitors, making it an especially good time to be there. Summer is more crowded and warmer, but we visited in July and found it perfect!
Because it is at an elevation of 8,375 feet, winter often means that snow closes the access road. During this time, visitors can get there by cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or on snowmobiles!
Other Logistics for How to Visit Bodie
Admission
Bodie charges a per-person entrance fee, with discounted rates available for children. California State Parks annual passes are accepted.
Adults 18+ are $8.00 per person, youth (4–17) are $5.00, and young children ages 3 and under are free. A self-guided tour booklet costs $3.00, and the optional Stamp Mill Guided Tour is $6.00 per person.
Facilities
Restrooms, a visitor center, and a bookstore are available in the park. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or food services inside the park, so bring your own snacks and water.
What should I bring to Bodie?
Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring plenty of water, and in the summer, wear sunscreen and a hat. At over 8,300 feet in elevation, the sun is intense, and summer temperatures can be warm. Because there’s no food or other services, plan meals and snacks accordingly.
Photography
Bodie is one of California’s premier photography destinations. Morning and late afternoon provide the best light, and overcast skies can enhance the town’s eerie atmosphere.
Should I visit Bodie with kids?
If you haven’t been to this ghost town, I’d highly recommend it, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Visiting Bodie was a highlight for all four of us! I think kids of all ages would enjoy this place. You can choose to walk and visit as much or as little as you’d like.
When is Bodie open?
The park is open 9:00-6:00 May 1 through Labor Day and 9:00 – 4:00 Labor Day through May 1st. Note that in the winter, the park is open except for the museum, but the road is not accessible.
Are dogs allowed in Bodie?
Yes, they are allowed in the state park but not allowed inside any of the buildings.
Learn more about how to visit Bodie in the park’s brochure.
