Bodie is California's official gold mining ghost town!

Bodie was once known as the wildest town in the west. The community was home to more than 10,000 residents, mostly miners. From 1877 to 1888, more than $35 million in gold and silver was produced from this small mining town.

Bodie is the largest "unrestored ghost town in the West and is now a State Historic Park (1962). The town was named for Waterman S Body (William Bodey) who discovered gold in the hills north of Mono Lake.The town transformed from a few dozen to a boomtown in 1877 when Standard Company purchased a mine.

While only a small amount of the town still survives, interiors have remained the same and stocked with goods.Come explore the museum, take the self guided tour or just meander the streets, taking in all of the homes, saloons, barbershops, stores, and make sure to stop in the local church!

The only services available are Restrooms and water so besure to pack a lunch, your soda or water. Make certain to bring plenty of water as this is the "high desert" and dehydration can occur quickly.

Location & Directions

The park is located just a short 45 miles southeast of Meadowcliff, a beautiful scenic drive. From Meadowcliff, drive south on US Hwy 395 for ~35 miles. Turn left on State Route 270 and travel 10 miles to the end of the pavement. The last 3 miles are a dirt road which can be rough but in summertime, easily accessible.

Summer Hours

9 am to 6 pm in summer;

Winter Hours

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in winter or as posted.

While Bodie is open year round, because of the high elevation (~8400 ft) it is accessible only by snowmobiles, skis, or snowshoes in the winter.

GPS location: Latitude/Longitude: 38.2122 / -119.0111