16 votes

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie, California 93517 USA

Independent

“historic CA ghost town!”

In the 1940s, the threat of vandalism faced the ghost town. The Cain family, who owned much of the land the town is situated upon, hired caretakers to protect and to maintain the town's structures. Martin Gianettoni, one of the last three people in Bodie in 1943, was also a caretaker. Bodie in May 1972. Bodie is now an authentic Wild West ghost town. The town was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961, and in 1962 it became Bodie State Historic Park. A total of 170 buildings remained. Bodie has been named California's official state gold rush ghost town. Visitors arrive mainly via CA-270 which runs from CA-395 near Bridgeport, CA to the west, the last three miles of it a dirt road. There is also a road to CA-167 near Mono Lake in the south, but this road is extremely rough with more than 10 miles of dirt track in a bad state of repair. The roads to Bodie are usually closed in winter due to heavy snowfall.Bodie is a popular destination for organized night photography, emphasizing the eerie nature of the park. Today, Bodie is preserved in a state of arrested decay. Only a small part of the town survived, with about 110 structures still standing, including one of many once operational gold mills. Visitors can walk the deserted streets of a town that once was a bustling area of activity. Interiors remain as they were left and stocked with goods. The California State Parks' ranger station is located in one of the original homes on Green Street.In 2009 and again in 2010, Bodie was scheduled to be closed, but the California state legislature was able to work out a budget compromise that enabled the state's Parks Closure Commission to allow it to remain open. As of 2012, the park is still operating, now administered by the Bodie Foundation.

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Reviewed by
Krystal Bailey

Road Warrior
19 Reviews
89 Helpful

June 04, 2014

It's not private property it is a state park. If I recall it's $7 per person or per vehicle to enter. I could be wrong. Bodie is awesome but avoid going when the place is swamped by rude German tourists. I've been going there since I was a child, it never disappoints.

8 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Greek_nomad

Road Warrior
401 Reviews
296 Helpful

September 27, 2014

Rated 5.0

When we heard about this place we could not refuse visiting it!! This state park now, used to be a living place and now the memories left back there, can bring chills to your body.

There is an entrance fee but very cheap 7$ per person and I would strongly recommend to you to pay 2$ extra for the brochure guide in order to get to know what you are seeing.

It is a different experience to see the ghost of what a place used to be like one day... Exciting for all ages!

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
thomas.winegar.5

1 Review
2 Helpful

October 05, 2014

Reminds me of the abandoned town in the horror movie, The Boogens (1981).

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
blackcherry883

2 Reviews
1 Helpful

July 02, 2016

Rated 5.0

My husband wanted to visit Mammoth Area and we decided to visit the ghost town. So glad we did. This one is bigger than Calico. There are a lot of buildings. You can get the brochure at the entrance of the park (it is a State Park) and do the self tour. Aduls are $8 and kids 4+ are $5 (younger are free). WARNING- Use the Bodie Rd to get there otherwise your car can suffer as there is like 10mi of unpaved road if you use the Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Get sunscreen and thing to protect yourself from the sun as there is no shade (hats, umbrella, etc) and bring water specially on summer.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
MickateTabone

24 Reviews
2 Helpful

October 11, 2018

Rated 5.0

We were in two minds as to whether to travel the 20km off the main road to see Bodie Ghost Town/ State Park, but am so glad we did, you will love it especially if you are into photography. You can easily spend a few hours here, but try and make it early in the day or later in the afternoon if you are visiting in summer. A must if you are in the area.

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Reviewed by
skinnyjames23

2 Reviews
0 Helpful

September 14, 2017

Rated 5.0

If you like ghost towns and abandoned places, this is rad. It's $8 to get in per person/vehicle. It's a protected state landmark, so there are rangers that live in some of the outbuildings to watch the place. It's full of great photo ops and you can walk as long/far as you want to explore every single building if you like. I got some great photos, and it's very peaceful out there. Definitely worth the detour, but be aware the gravel road to the park is a long 2 miles of rumbling at 15mph. Awesome!!

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Reviewed by
FrancoisMesnil