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An hour north of Mammoth lies the ghost town of Bodie, once the second largest city in California and a thriving gold and silver mining town. By 1880, 10,000 people lived there. When the gold and silver ran out, the town went bust, and by 1940 Bodie was abandoned. Today, 170 buildings and mining equipment preserved in a state of arrested decay await visitors who want to step back in time. Highway 270 to Bodie is often open through Thanksgiving, but soon thereafter the Sierra snowfall makes Bodie accessible only on foot—a three- to five mile hike, ski or snowshoe. The easy-to follow trek is uphill on the way in, downhill on the way out. While there are no supplies or trinkets to buy, there is a ranger on duty to answer questions. Check in with the ranger station before setting off.
Bodie, California | 760.647.6445 | bodie.com