Road Trip Back in Time to Bodie Ghost Town
Step Back in Time to the Heyday of the California Gold Rush - An Exciting Weekend Getaway
Nestled in the basin region of California’s Eastern Sierra off a lonely stretch of historic Highway 395 lies Bodie State Historic Park, quite possibly the most impressive ghost town in existence anywhere in the world. It’s the perfect road trip destination for those wanting to experience the Old West up close and personal.
Literally frozen in time, Bodie is full of rust, weathered buildings and decay. The California State Park System that manages the property has chosen to leave the buildings in their natural state of deterioration rather than restore them. Yet, it is incredibly well preserved. This Guide takes you through everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
Why Visit Bodie Ghost Town
Bodie isn’t like any other ghost town. It’s perfecly preserved so that it feels like you’re literally taking a step back in time to the days of the California Gold Rush experiencing its history first hand. From creaking wooden sidewalks to silent saloons and schoolhouse, the town tells stories of boom, bust, and the people who once chased their dreams of finding gold here.
Where is Bodie Ghost Town?
Bodie State Historic Park is located just northeast of Yosemite, 13 miles east of Highway 395 on Bodie Road, approximately 7 miles south of the City of Bridgeport, California.
How to Get to Bodie Ghost Town
From Highway 395, you will see signs directing you to head east on State Route 270. Follow State Route 270 for 10 miles to the end of the pavement. From here, the road will continue 3 more miles via dirt road to Bodie. These last 3 miles can be rough so reduced speeds are mandatory. There is ample parking once you enter the gate.
Best Time to Visit Bodie
The best time to visit Bodie Ghost Town is late spring through early fall. Weather is mild, roads are clear, and it’s easy to acces. Bodie sits at a high elevation, 8,375 feet in elevation, so weather can be unpredictable and change quickly with little notice during any season but summers are usually pleasant with longer daylight hours. In the fall, mornings are crisp and weather starts to cool as the crowds start to head home. By winter, it gets very cold. Temperatures can reach as low as -29°F with almost 8 feet of snow, and it’s typcially only accessible by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles.
Tips for Visting Bodie & Things to Know
Hours of Operation
Bodie is open year round. During typical years, hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer (May 15 through October 31), and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in winter (November 1 through May 14). Peak season is Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.
Entrance Fees:
Bodie State Historic Park is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Entrance fees are as follows:
Adults $8.00
Children (16 & Under) $5.00
Passes:
You can enter the park free of charge using a California Explorer Annual Pass, a lifetime Distinguished Veteran Pass or a Golden Bear Pass. Visitors can also get a 50% discount using the California Lifetime Disabled Discount Pass. For more information on all California State Park Passes, click here.
More Tips:
A little preparation before heading to Bodie will go a long way as it’s very remoted, located off an unpaved access road with very limited services, not your typical quick roadside stop. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit.
Absolutely nothing may be collected or removed from the park. Everything here is part of a historic preserve. Take photos as your souvenirs and avoid the “Bodie Curse."
No metal detectors or unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are allowed.
There is no camping allowed.
There are public restrooms located in the parking lot and the picnic area.
Dogs are permitted in the park but must be leashed at all times and you must clean up after them. They are not allowed inside any historic buildings including the Stamp Mill and museum.
Winter weather can reach sub-zero temperatures and strong winds and white out conditions are common. Many 4-wheel drive vehicles can get stuck in the snow during this time and it is sometimes only accessible using skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. Be sure to check road conditions before visiting.
In Spring, especially after heavy rains, the roads can become very muddy. Be careful not to get stuck and turn back if you think the mud will be a problem for your vehicle. Towing is available but it’s quite expensive given the remote location of the park.
Things to Do at Bodie
Take a Self-Guided Tour
One of the best ways to experience Bodie Ghost Town is at your own pace. You can spend hours wandering dusty gravel roads, peering in windows of homes, churches, stores, and a hundred other structures. With so much history preserved around you, exploring independently makes the experience feel personal and immersive.
There’s a pool hall complete with an antique billiard table, a coroner’s office with old rickety wooden coffins and store front windows full of colorful desert glass in shades of aqua green and purples.
The lone fire station with its belfry still stands proud. It’s bronze bell stolen in 1941 was returned shortly thereafter, and resides back in its original location today.
There’s even an old Shell gas station with a blue Dodge pick-up parked along-side a rusty gas pump, and a cemetery full of the town’s long forgotten residents.
The old schoolhouse chalk board still has the day’s lessons scribbled across it, the room full of cast iron vintage desks. Interestingly, this was not the original Bodie schoolhouse for the original was burnt to the ground by an angry student who got in trouble and thought it would be fun to set the bushes out back on fire! Imagine how much more trouble he was in after that stunt!
I can practically picture Bodie in its heyday. Miners coming down from the mills at the end of a long laborious day, heading to the lively saloons full of chatter, piano music, whiskey and cards. Brothels with women of the night out front luring them in as they stumble home, hoping they’d spend the last of their day’s wages for some “company.” Just imagine the chaos in a town full of so much gold, guns and alcohol.
As you wander its streets, you will find yourself thinking about what life must’ve been like back then, the struggles its settlers would’ve faced. Can you fathom packing up everything you own, rushing toward the complete unknown in search of the prospect of gold based on a whisper in the wind, not even knowing if it’s a rumor you could trust? Imagine how harsh and labor-intensive working conditions in a mine must’ve been. Imagine how just when you started to get used to it, the ruthless chill of the freezing cold winter winds would come sweeping around the corner, the bitter cold blizzards taking the lives of your neighbors and friends who were not strong enough to survive such merciless conditions.
You’ve really got to admire the courage of those who made the trek and their stamina for starting a new life here. Perhaps having to endure such harsh conditions so far away from home is the reason why ghost towns like these always seem to be full of so many gambling halls and empty whiskey bottles scattered amongst the tumble weeds!
Take a Guided Tour
The Bodie Foundation offers both public and private tours. Reservations must be made 2-3 weeks in advance. These tours include the following:
Private Town Tour: 2-hour tour designed to fit your interests where you can learn more about the history of Bodie.
Twilight Tour: 2-hour walking tour where you can learn about the history of the people of Bodie and select sites at the cemetery.
Ridge Tour: 2-hour walking tour of the bluff near the railway office in areas that are off-limits without a guide.
Old Marina Tour: 2-hour walking tour of the nearby Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve that teaches you the history of the area and includes bird watching.
Go on a Ghost Walk
The Foundation also offers Bodie Ghost Walks, the next of which is coming up this Labor Day Weekend on Saturday, September 4, 2021. The Ghost Walk is an exclusive tour through town after hours featuring “living history tales of ghost sightings and Bodie happenings.” This is an extremely unique and rare look at the town and guaranteed fun. The park and museum store will be open for an extra 30 minutes after the tour for photography and exploration. Guests without tickets to the event will not be allowed inside the park at this time giving tour participants a unique, uncrowded experience having the park all to themselves.
The Bodie Foundation
The Bodie Foundation is a non-profit organization that protects Bodie’s future by preserving its past. The group is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and public enjoyment of not just Bodie State Historic Park but also nearby Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve and Grover Hot Spring State Park.
As part of that mission, Bodie Foundation offers photo workshops and operates the online Bodie store. The Foundation also celebrates the Friends of Bodie Day each year in August, and is responsible for all tours and ghost walks.
Become a Member:
Consider making a difference by donating to the Bodie Foundation or becoming a member. Funds raised help the Foundation preserve the unique town of Bodie and its structures through restoration and repair projects, as well as allowing it to continue providing events and tours. You can also support the organization through purchases made through its online store.
FAQs for Visiting Bodie
Where is Bodie Ghost Town located?
Bodie is located 13 miles east off Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra in California just northeast of Yosemite and about 7 miles south of Bridgeport.
When is the best time to visit Bodie Ghost Town?
Late spring through early fall are the best times to visit Bodie. Summers are warm but not overly hot due to the high elevation, and you will have more daylight hours for exploring. However, winters get very cold with a lot of snow and access is extremely limited. Because Bodie sits at over 8,000 feet, weather can change quickly in any season. Be sure to dress in layers and check current road and park conditions before heading out.
Is Bodie Ghost Town worth visiting?
Yes, Bodie is absolutely worth visiting. it is perahps the best-preserved ghost towns in the country with buildings that offer a very rare glimpse into what life was really like in the Old West during the California Gold Rush.
What does it cost to visit Bodie Ghost Town?
Entrance fees to Bodie are $8 per adult and $5 for children ages 16 and under. It’s a California State Park so entrance is free for California State Park Annual Pass holders. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass will not grant you free entrance.
What should I bring when visiting Bodie?
Bodie sits at high elevation and weather can change quickly so visitors should dress in layers with sturdy walking shoes and bring plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection.
Is there food or water available at Bodie?
Visitors will need ot bring their own food and water. There are no restaurants or food services inside Bodie Ghost Town.
Are pets allowed at Bodie?
Pets on a leash are generally allowed in the outdoor areas of Bodie.
What is the Bodie Curse?
The “Bodie Curse” is a legend that says anyone who removes an item from Bodie Ghost Town will experience bad luck until it’s returned. Read about visitors having mailed back stolen artifacts with apology notes and the story behind the legend in my article on the Bodie Curse.
More California Eastern Sierra Travel Guides
The “Bodie Curse” - Tales of Badluck that Befell Those Who Stole Artifacts
The Ultimate Eastern Sierra Road Trip - Highway 395
Things to Do in Inyo County - A County of Incredible Extremes
Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park - Where Nature Pushes Every Limit
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