Bodie, Ghost town and National Historic Landmark in Mono County, California.
Description
More than 200 weathered wooden structures stand along unpaved streets at this remote mountain site, including a Methodist church, jail, firehouse, general store, schoolhouse and numerous residential buildings from the mining era.
History
William Bodey discovered gold here in 1859, though the camp remained small until 1876 when the Standard Company struck a rich vein that triggered explosive population growth and two decades of intensive mining operations.
Culture
Original furnishings, mining equipment and household goods remain inside the buildings, offering direct evidence of how California gold rush communities functioned during the late nineteenth century.
Practical
Access requires driving 13 miles (21 kilometers) on unpaved roads from Highway 395, with the final three miles particularly rough and impassable during winter months when heavy snow closes the park from November through April.
Did you know?
Park rangers maintain buildings using a preservation philosophy called arrested decay, stabilizing structures without restoration to keep them looking naturally weathered rather than artificially maintained.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Mono County).
This collection includes abandoned cities, industrial facilities and historic sites across multiple continents. Empty buildings, decaying streets and left-behind objects tell the stories of people who once lived and worked there. The reasons for abandonment vary: industrial decline led to the...
This collection presents locations around the world associated with ghost stories and unexplained events. From historic fortresses and former prisons to abandoned hospitals and old cemeteries, these sites have developed their own legends. Visitors can explore the Tower of London in England, where...
California offers more than its well-traveled routes. Across the state, locations exist that few visitors reach, even though they show landscapes and histories found nowhere else. This collection includes natural areas, abandoned structures, and stretches of coast that lie beyond the usual travel...
Earth presents numerous geological formations, natural phenomena, and architectural structures that stand out through their exceptional characteristics. This collection documents such sites across all continents: the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan, burning for decades; the luminescent glowworms...
The United States have hundreds of abandoned towns. This selection includes 100 of these places where time seems to stand still. Most grew rich in the 19th century through gold or silver finds. They attracted miners, traders, and whole families. When the veins were empty, people left. They left...
Mono Lake
21.8 km
Aurora
13.1 km
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
29.8 km
Mono Basin
29.7 km
Bridgeport Reservoir
21 km
Mono Basin National Scenic Area
29.4 km
Mono County Courthouse
19.5 km
Dunderberg Peak
28.2 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
23.7 km
Danburg Beach
24.5 kmCinnabar Canyon
13.3 kmBodie Bluff
1.3 kmLocomotive Point
14.7 kmLundy Lake
28 kmTrench Canyon
12.5 kmLake Canyon
28.9 kmFort Independence
18.6 kmTravertine Hot Spring
17.3 kmDogwood
16.6 kmUpside-Down House
29.7 kmMono Lake Scenic Viewpoint
21.1 kmNorth Conway
19.1 kmScenic viewpoint
28.9 kmBlack Point Fissures
22 kmScenic viewpoint
430 mScenic viewpoint
29.9 kmMono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
28.1 kmMono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
25 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes