Bodie, California: A Preserved Gold Rush Ghost Town

Bodie, once a booming Gold Rush camp, is now a protected state historic park in Mono County. The park preserves original buildings and artifacts using a stabilization approach known as "arrested decay." Access is seasonal, the final approach is on a rough dirt road, most buildings are locked to protect interiors, and visitor services are limited. Check the California State Parks site for current hours, fees, and road conditions before visiting.

Bodie at a glance

"Goodbye, God; we are going to Bodie…" is a famous line said to have been written in a miner's diary as people headed into one of the roughest camps of the California Gold Rush. Today Bodie State Historic Park preserves that frontier moment: an isolated mining town left largely as it stood when residents abandoned it in the early 20th century.

Why Bodie matters

Bodie boomed after gold was discovered in the late 1850s and reached its peak during the 1870s and 1880s. Contemporary accounts report population estimates that ranged into the thousands at the town's height. Violence, drink and rowdiness marked daily life as much as mining did - which is part of what made Bodie notorious in its day.

The State of California acquired the site and protects Bodie "in a state of arrested decay," stabilizing buildings so visitors can see original interiors and artifacts without full restoration. The result is a rare, tangible snapshot of a working mining town.

Where and when to go

Bodie sits in Mono County near the California-Nevada border, east of the Sierra Nevada. The park lies off U.S. Highway 395 on a dirt road; the last stretch can be rough and is often closed or unsafe in winter. Expect high-elevation weather and seasonal access limits, and plan accordingly.

Many of the structures on the townsite are locked to protect fragile interiors; windows and porches let you peer into rooms frozen in time. A visitor center and museum display artifacts and interpretive panels, but staffing and hours are seasonal. Guided ranger programs and walking tours are offered at times, especially in summer.

Visiting tips

• Bring water, snacks and layered clothing - temperatures change quickly at altitude.

• Carry extra camera batteries; there are few services on-site.

• Stay on designated paths and do not enter closed buildings. The park preserves fragile structures and artifacts.

• Check road conditions before you go; winter access often requires snow vehicles or is closed to cars.

• Respect wildlife and pack out trash.

Practical notes and preserving history

Bodie demonstrates a preservation philosophy that emphasizes stabilization and interpretation rather than reconstruction. That approach keeps the town authentic but also means visitors must accept limited facilities and seasonal services. If you want an immersive glimpse of Gold Rush life with original buildings and everyday objects in place, Bodie remains one of the best-preserved examples.

For the latest access, fees and program details, consult the California State Parks website for Bodie State Historic Park before you travel.¹

1. Confirm current day-use fee amounts and payment methods for Bodie State Historic Park.
2. Verify seasonal visitor center hours and whether guided tours run (and when).
3. Confirm exact road route, distance from Highway 395, and seasonal road closure dates/conditions.
4. Verify whether Bodie is a National Historic Landmark and the designation date (if applicable).
5. Confirm the park elevation figure (if citing a specific elevation).