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Bodie State Historic Park

4.7 (252 reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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Stagecoach at the Bodie museum
Stephanie A.

A long road on including paved road three miles of washboard gravel. Eight dollars to get in for adults. Five dollars for kids 16 and under. Cash only in a confusing envelope. Arrested decay is an interesting prospect. Even from year to year, you can see things weather. I suppose we all do!

Joey D.

Some people complain that you can review just about anything on Yelp nowadays. So let's review a ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park colloquially referred to as the ghost town of Bodie is an amazing historic site that is well worth a visit. I knew we'd be passing by as we were traveling up the 395 and wanted to make sure I finally got to visit. It's a pretty easy, although slightly windy drive up a mountain. The last few miles are unpaved, but should be very doable for any 2WD cars as long as the weather is good. Just be sure to take the 270 all the way up. When I finally got out and started exploring, I was blown away by the remnants of the town that were still standing. Bodie is in a a state of arrested decay- buildings and objects are natural but also maintained to keep what's left still standing. Whereas Calico feels like a theme park ghost town (because it was), this is a real historic site with little interference. And even though what's left is only small percentage of what originally stood (most buildings are completely gone), there's still so much to explore. If you're heading up for the first time, be sure to look up the tour schedule. They have a walking tour that shares some pretty neat information about the town. They also have a small museum and gift shop (bring cash). However, outside of that and a surprisingly clean and well kept restroom, there isn't anything else so pack accordingly. Some structures are spaced out quite a bit, so if you want to see everything, you'll need a few hours. I could have spent hours with the map just walking around and exploring everything. I had the kids so that definitely wasn't going to be the case. I got a solid 2 hours out of them, but then they were ready to go. If ghost towns or historic sites are of any interest, this needs to be must visit.

Adriana P.

We were looking for things to do when visiting Yosemite. The Ghost Town came up on our Google search and decided to check it out. What we thought would be an hour exploring turned into 3 hours. We enjoyed it so much with our two kids. We made the mistake of not getting the pamphlet in the entrance. The pamphlet gives you numbers and what it was back then. As many houses or buildings had a number. Instead we kind of guessed and assumed what we thought what it could be. The way to the ghost down is dirt,bumpy but just take it slow. They have bathrooms and a small shop for gifts. We used a trick someone on a review had mentioned about using your camera against the windows to see inside and worked as a charm. We still didn't finish the looking around but totally recommend even for kids.

Nice little museum and gift shop in the middle of town
Amy F.

The town is huge and has several streets you can walk down to see the different sites. Dogs are allowed on leash, but not allowed in the buildings. There are bathrooms in the parking lot and the picnic area. No food or drinks for sale, bring plenty of water. There is a paved path from the parking lot; however it then turns to dirt. The road to the town requires traveling several miles on a rough dirt road.

Not going to write a review about Bodie State Park, but want to share that we experience a flat tire there and had no spare tire. There are no cell signals and we are forced to constantly drive slow, stop, pump the flat tire and spend the next few hours looking for a tire shop that have the size. Reason for the post is to shout out to the kind couple from Reno traveling with their parents to Bishop. Thank you so much for stopping and helping. We never get your name or pictures but wanted to let you know we are safe and make it back to the bay area finally. You are a God send and we hope to pay it forward. Also to the young family in the van that stop and ask if we needed help, thank you so much. You all are a beacon of light in our hours of need. Thank you. To those drivers stuck behind us on the no passing lane on route 395 as we drove slowly north, south, than north again, sorry ^_^

Mary Ann F.

My husband just loves ghost towns and old mining towns so I agreed we could stop there on the way back from Mammoth. The road we took to get in there was rough and very gravelly. My poor car! Thank goodness it was only 10 miles of this. When we arrived at the welcome gate we saw a newer, better road off to our left. The guy working behind the counter; "yea that's the old road"... This was so much fun and such a wonderful tour around this old mining town. They had all the stores and business in pretty good shape. I had a lot of fun just wandering around on my own away from the crowds. Peeking in holes and seeing how the people lived back then. They did have a movie running but we had the pup so we didn't go into that. We got there right when it opened @ 10 and we were glad we did, by the time we were getting ready to leave it was getting packed! It was so sweet to take the newer mostly paved road outta there.

A shop
Cindy B.

Bodie really surprised me. Seeing the houses left perfectly intact after everyone left was unbelievable. I especially enjoyed seeing inside the church. It's such a unique experience to see history in this way. I had no expectations and was pleasantly surprised. I wish we would've taken our bikes as you would be able to see much more. The town is spread out quite a bit. Also, going in any month besides summer would've been a better choice as shady areas were few and far between. It's mostly all dirt roads lined with homes and cross streets as well. In the center there is a shop with merch. I loved the merch but sadly it was cash only. I did not expect a store or to need cash. We will go back with our bikes and cash.

Ashley N.

Such a neat area stuck in time. I've been here twice - both times it was chilly and breezy, and really sunny! The road in is windy and then it becomes a dirt road. We took it in a regular sedan and made it fine but it has some spots that are extremely bumpy and "washboarded". Bring protective clothing/hats, sunscreen, good walking shoes with a sturdy sole, lots of water, and be ready to cruise around. They have a book you can purchase at the main gate that shows each location (they all have numbers posted out front) and gives you a little insight on those spots - it's pretty much a self-guided tour. The book was $3.00 (I think?) and it was $8.00 for each of us adults to get in. It is asked that you don't take/move/pick up anything - even the metal scraps and glass shards that litter the ground. It's actually pretty amazing to see how much is left (and they say the buildings here are only 5% what it was at its heyday). Please also note there are several employee residences sprinkled amongst the vacant buildings, and while they are clearly noted on the front, it can be easy to just walk up the the door if you're not paying much attention so remember to slow down, look, and if you get to one of those houses - respect their privacy.

One of two morgues
Cecile A.

Last time I visited I was a teen. 30 years later, I am so happy to rediscover this town, still frozen in time, yet well protected so we can still imagine by picking, through some of the original windows, people walking into the saloon, dropping off their luggages at the hotel, shopping for groceries or the children in school.

Alex J.

My first visit to Bodie was over 50 years ago. My latest visit to Bodie was 7 months ago. My next visit to Bodie will be on August 13th, 2022, Friends of Bodie Day. This is a day where doners are celebrated for their financial support and time, dedicated to helping preserve Bodie in its pristine ghostly state. I'm proud to be a member in good standing. You should consider becoming a member too and be part of the fun You meet the nicest folks at these things. Keep an eye out for me. I'll be the guy wearing the USC hat. It's been said that I'm nice, but circumstances may dictate otherwise. Like if I get a speeding ticket driving up 395! There's a lot of acreage in Bodie to roam and explore. The beauty in this part of the Sierra is unsurpassed. Deep deep blue skies with puffy white clouds frame the weathered structures. It's a photographer paradise. Trust me, you'll see. Over the span of these past 50+ years, I've come to Bodie countless numbers of times. My children and grandchildren have traipsed its trails to exhaustion. This place is the real deal. I've made it known where I want to be after my final breath. I know it's illegal, so the family may have to do the spreading like the guys did in the movie The Great Escape. The kids would love it !! And what better way to get them to frequent Bodie. If they miss their Dad/BaPa/California Grandpa/Grandpa Alex, they can pay me a visit and have an adventure while doing so. Quick Tip: You don't necessarily have to drive into or out of Bodie as 99% of visitors do on CA 270. There's a more fun and adventurous route. My suggestion is to go ahead and drive in the conventional 270 way, but as you pass the kiosk when leaving, veer to the left and take the 100% dirt road about 11 miles to the 167 highway. Turn right on that, and it'll take you right to 395. Take a look on the map. It's a bumpy one, and you won't find many knuckleheads, I mean white knucklers, impedeing your path. Don't let this fun miss a page in your memory, and don't blame me if you get lost. It's not my fault that you listened to me. LOL, you'll be fine.

One of two cars left behind in time.
Courtney W.

I haven't been back for 20 years! I went here as a kid and came back much later! Greatly appreciate this state park and all the little details of time completely frozen. Looking into the windows was like being your own historic explorer, both exciting and elusive. The drive in may seem a little daunting but worth it! Best if you have AWD! We spent about two hours here. Bring a jacket because it gets windy!

A little history about Bodie
Lynda S.

We were recommended to stop by on our way from Lake Tahoe to Vegas and wanted to show our boys a bit of history! It's also known as ghost town, it's a tad eerie and vacant when you have a minute to sit and take it all in on how things were in the late 1800's. It's a good self guided tour you can do with the family. Lots of pic opportunities with a western gold rush kinda feel. Dogs are welcomed here. It's hot, and not a ton of shade offered and lots of gravel. No reception for us so don't come with an "iffy" car...make sure tires are solid with a full tank of gas and can handle gravel and dirt roads. Definitely not good if you got stuck! It's in the middle of nowhere! We spent about an hour walking around and could have spent an easy 2 hours but my kids were not wanting to walk in the dead heat so we left. A must do at least once in our opinion :) Lots to see and wonder how things were centuries before us!

Qinnan L.

This park was a really fun detour during our Yosemite trip! We only spent about an hour here because we arrived late (park closes at 6PM) but definitely could have spent more time exploring. Tickets are $8 per adult which is hefty but worth it. Pay the extra $3 for the brochure - lots of interesting commentary on the town. Also, the bathrooms here are SO CLEAN for being in the middle of nowhere! Huge huge plus

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Cool experience, history, good pictures and nice time spent with family walking around

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We loved it, so much history, the drive was nice and the actual town is big, you're able to walk at your own pase, reasonable prices.

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Bodie State Historic Park Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Bodie State Historic Park

Motor home make it?

I did see motor homes parked in the lot, so I don't think you should have any problems. The last 3 miles are bumpy, but it is worth it!!! I hope you have a great time!!!

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Review Highlights - Bodie State Historic Park

We were visiting Bridgeport where we heard about the ghost town of Bodie and just had to go check it out.

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Crowley Lake Columns

Crowley Lake Columns

4.9(17 reviews)
44.4 mi

Must added to the list for hiking / beach/ kayak spot…read more No need a big jeep or any special vehicle. You will be fine as it's easy to get down to these stone pillars with 2 mi hike. Very easy flat step - straight road. Actually there's one big deep hold up hill at the beginning and one slightly slippery downhill to the lake. General, worth the hike and time to visit the unique nature made sandstone pillars. A beautiful place with peaceful quiet lake. You can hang around right at the lake or do kayak Tips: - When you are inside - under these columns, never look up. There is always some sand falling from top. - No restroom / trash bin / info center. Make sure bring water and essential items. - Plan to arrive early so you can come back around before noon. And use a lot of sunscreen in summer. No shade at all. Like walk in the middle of dessert! - Parking spots are marked correctly in google map. No actually parking signs. You just find your own the spot closest to the first hill and leave the car there at your own risk for 1hr at least. - follow google map. There's some crosspath and no signage!

From the 395, there's a nice dirt road to Crowley Lake but you can only go so far with a regular…read morecar. A 4x4 off road vehicle is needed to access the stone columns for the last mile or two. There's a hill with really bad ruts. Another way to access the columns is to kayak to them. We saw a kayaker who parked his car at another beach off the lake and kayaked over. There is a steep sandy trail down to the beach where the columns are. The water was high when we were there so fortunately we couldn't access the larger columns that day. It's definitely worth the visit when the water level in the lake is low to see these unique stone columns.

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Crowley Lake Columns - Wildlife

Wildlife

Crowley Lake Columns
Crowley Lake Columns - Beautiful clean, clear water,  sunshine, weather was  so nice.

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Beautiful clean, clear water, sunshine, weather was so nice.

Mono County Courthouse

Mono County Courthouse

4.1(7 reviews)
12.1 mi

**DO NOT MISS THE JAIL! If you walk behind the courthouse, you will find the old jail. It's right…read morenext to the police department. The doors are open and you can explore the cells. It's amazingly eerie. The dirty mattresses are still there. If you pay attention to the walls, you can read notes from past inmates. The courthouse (built in 1880) is gorgeous and photographs very well. I absolutely recommend finding the time to walk around the grounds - it's a quick stop. There is a coffee shop a block away so I grabbed some cold brew and took a morning stroll. Very thankful that I did since I might never return to Bridgeport again.

Evidence ignored in traffic appeal at Mono County Superior Court Appellate Division (Mammoth Lakes…read moreCourthouse) I appealed a speeding ticket (Vehicle Code 22349(b)) all the way to the Appellate Division. I submitted clear, specific evidence straight from the official CHP Radar Operator's Manual showing serious foundational problems with the radar used by Officer Nyland: - The unit had not been professionally calibrated for over a year. - It was operated on an incline with interference from trees, rocks, and a raging river. - The officer turned off the Doppler/audio sound, which violates standard procedures. On February 25, 2026, Judge Mark Magit affirmed the conviction anyway. The decision only mentioned the officer's testimony that he checked the unit at the start and end of his shift and completely failed to address or analyze the CHP manual evidence I provided. I completed the online traffic school and paid the reduced fine after showing I am disabled and unemployed. The process felt completely one-sided. Mind you, I've never had a speeding ticket in my 43 years of driving. If you're fighting a radar-based ticket in Mono County, document everything. I am also filing a formal complaint with the California Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP) so others know this option exists when key evidence appears to be ignored. On top of the appeal issues, I've had ongoing problems with court communications. Most clerks acted like they were doing me a favor, with constant clerical mistakes, poor attitudes, and delays. One major issue early on: I requested an extension for a court date, but it sat on the DA's desk past the deadline, resulting in a failure-to-appear finding until I complained directly to Court Executive Officer Lester Perpall. This experience left a very bad taste. Drivers dealing with Mono County traffic court -- especially radar cases -- should be prepared. Justice isn't always served.

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Mono County Courthouse
Mono County Courthouse
Mono County Courthouse

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Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola

Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola

4.1(45 reviews)
38.5 mi

Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola was one of the highlights of our Mammoth trip! We decided to get…read moreon the gondola towards the end of our adventure and turns out we made the right choice! The Gondola takes you up to McCoy where you can get off and enjoy an intermediate course or stay on and head up to the top of Mammoth Mountain! We started off thinking we were going to just enjoy the cafe up there and the views and then some of us would head back down the gondola. Turns out, my boys decided to take the chance and ride down the top of the mountain with me while my wife headed down on the gondola and met us at the bottom after getting some gifts from the gift shop. The way down is a little frightening if I am to be honest but I am a strong believer in the adage, where there is a will there is a way! My boys coming down with me was a wonderful life lesson and a truly exhilarating and exciting adventure! I highly recommend taking the gondola to the top! 5 stars for sure and 2 thumbs up!!

The views from the top are amazing (on a clear day). Whether skiing/snowboarding and heading to…read morethe top, or just here to enjoy the scenery and surroundings, it's more than worth a visit. Personally a clear day after a storm is the best! The gondola ride up is quick and enjoyable. On busy days, they will fill the cabin, so be ready for a tight squeeze. It's almost ski/boarding season!

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Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola - People taking pictures from summit and with sign

People taking pictures from summit and with sign

Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola
Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola

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Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass

4.2(9 reviews)
18.5 mi

If you want to go on a scenic drive, and you have a few hours to kill--check out Tioga road--drive…read morethrough the pass at just shy of 10k feet, and head down to Mono Lake (which is amazing in its own right). If you want to explore some of Yosemite's best beauty that is far less crowded than Yosemite Valley (but far superior in my opinion), plan to spend some time up in the majestic nature that can only be found along Tioga Road. In my opinion, this is the best road in all of Yosemite National Park, and is the best way for us in the valley to get from Fresno to Highway 395 when opened. Be warned: This road (aka Hwy 120) is usually closed from mid Autumn (late October through some time in November) until late spring/early summer (May or June most years), as the road traverses some extremely dangerous avalanch zones and is unsafe to plow until the spring thaw hits the snow in the high country. Also-be warned: There is a lot of wildlife in the high country. Tioga Pass (and Tioga Road) is not a road to speed across. Take your time and savor the beauty of the landscape--high alpine forests, lakes, meadows, granite domes, wetlands--all home to bears, pine martins, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, yellow bellied marmots, deer, red foxes, and so many other amazing creatures. Driving fast means you are more likely to have a tragic encounter between your car and an animal that may be trying to cross the road. That and the road meanders some steep curves along some sheer drop-offs. If you aren't careful along the curves, you may find out the hard way that your car doesn't fly. This is definitely a sipping tea type of road, and not one to be mindlessly chugged. As for provisions, make sure to bring provisions, and also top off your gas tank on either end of the road (either Crane Flat on the western side before you hit Tuolumne Grove, or the Mobile Gas Station/Whoa Nelly Deli on the east side outside of the park boundary--but after you leave hwy 395). There are very limited services between the two ends (usually only in Tuolumne Meadows, but not all services open every year). Restrooms are also limited. There are some opened seasonally at Crane Flat (indoor plumbing, but closed if the gas station store is closed), Tuolumne grove nearby, Tenaya Lake (pit toilets--pretty gross at the end of the season), Tuolumne Meadows, and a few other spots along the road. If you plan to do some hiking--especially when the weather is nice, expect to encounter some soggy or wet areas, as some parts of the high country never fully dry out even in the summer months. And mosquitos can be quite wretched. Make sure you bring protection, whether it is bug spray, face nets, long legged and sleeved clothing, or all of the above. Be bear aware as well, and don't store food in your car overnight or in sight during the day. Also, you should always prepare for weather to change rapidly at these elevations. I've had 70 degree sunny days turn to 40 degrees with hail in as little as an hour. As a resident of California's central valley and a lover of the high country, I don't consider my year complete until I've gone over Tioga Pass a few times. This truly is a beautiful road. It requires respect, and a little planning....and what it gives in return is usually more than you'd expect.

This is a gorgeous road. It stretches from Lee Vining to the west on a pass which goes all the way…read moreto Yosemite. There are lakes and creeks and the best time to take photos is during fall or first snow. The road is very windy and steep so take it slow. During this time of year (not sure if this is all times) you will be required to stop and pay I believe $35 per car at the 12 mile mark. The drive however for those 12 miles is worth it. You can turn around and not pay. I highly recommend taking this pass if you are up at the Mammoth Lakes area or Mono Lake. We didn't have much time, so we only took a few photos, but there are so many cool places to check out. Totally cool drive!

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Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass

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Bodie State Historic Park - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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