Bodie gold mining town
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Bodie SHP - by Management
Description
Bodie is a mining ghost town located in the Bodie Hills, just north of Mono Lake and on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, in western California. Gold was discovered in 1859 by prospectors including W.S. Bodey (that went on to give his misspelled name to the town), but is a discovery dated 1876 that really propelled it to a famed Wild West boomtown status with close to 10,000 people moving there within 3-4 years before gradually losing population in the 1880-90's. The town was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and it has been named as California's official state gold rush ghost town. There are about 110 structures still standing, including the Methodist Church.
Access & Transport
The ghost town is 40km northeast of Mono City along US-395 / CA-270. It is 160km from the Yosemite Valley and 170km south of Lake Tahoe. Take note: because of the high elevation (8375 feet), it is accessible only by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles during winter months. Accessibility info here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/AccessibleFeatures/Details/509
Instructions & Recommendations
The town lies at 2,550m and the weather is dry with extreme temperatures (it freezes almost every night). Accessible parking, drinking fountain, and restrooms are provided at the main parking area but there is no food for sale (there is an unshaded picnic area).
Environmental & Social
Helps preserve the region's historical heritage and no environmental impact
Conclusion
Bodie is a little light on content but visually quite impressive. It has been maintained in what the California State Parks call "a state of arrested decay" and is well worth a visit if you are in the Yosemite, Mammoth Lake or Tahoe area (or that side of Nevada).
Key positive
Relatively well preserved
Not busy
Key negative
Time consuming to get to
Changing weather
Suitability
Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility - assistance may be required in some areas and to get inside the buildings and up the slopes.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
August 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:1h 30m
Start of Season 1:May, 25
MONDAY09:00 - 18:00
TUESDAY09:00 - 18:00
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 18:00
THURSDAY09:00 - 18:00
FRIDAY09:00 - 18:00
SATURDAY09:00 - 18:00
SUNDAY09:00 - 18:00
Start of Season 2:Nov, 01
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