Bodie State Historic Park

Bodie Road and Bypass Road
Bridgeport, California 93517
Visit Website
Local Phone: (760) 647-6445

If you're traveling Highway 395, be sure to schedule a half-day visit to one of the most fascinating and eerie places in California. Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine gold-mining ghost town founded in 1877, populated at one time by 10,000 hard-core souls and deserted almost overnight when the ore ran out and the mine closed. The small part of the town that survives is enough to occupy visitors for half a day or more. The weathered, empty buildings, preserved in a state of "arrested decay," remain as they were when their residents departed, many still stocked with goods and furnishings.

Leashed dogs are welcome to accompany you as you wander Bodie's deserted streets; dogs are not allowed on the Stamp Mill tour or in the Museum.

The park is theoretically open year-round, but because of the high elevation (8375 feet), it is accessible only by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles during winter months. Snowmobiles must stay on designated roads in the Bodie Hills.

To preserve the ghost town atmosphere, there are no commercial facilities at Bodie, such as food or gasoline, so fill your tank ahead of time, bring plenty of fluids and pack a picnic lunch. Restrooms with flush toilets are provided, however!

To get there: From U.S. 395 seven miles south of Bridgeport, take State Route 270. Go east 10 miles to the end of the pavement and continue three miles on a dirt road to Bodie. The last three miles can at times be rough. Reduced speeds are necessary. Call the park if there are any questions about road conditions.

Check the park website for current entrance fees. 

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