If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I LOVE WESTWORLD - or Westerworld, as my boss calls it. Ever since I saw the very first episode, I haven't been able to pause. The show is halfway through the second season and I'm already thinking about rewatching it from the beginning.
But I digress. What does this have to do with Bodie State Historic Park? Let me explain. A couple weeks ago, I drove with some friends to the Sierra Nevada in hopes of uncovering the unknown and Bodie was at the top of our list. After a few hours of rugged, spooky and cold exploration, it was safe to say that we felt like guests walking through a parallel version of Westworld's Sweetwater.
Settled in the mid 1800s, Bodie was a prominent mining town home to thousands of residents who looked for riches during California's gold rush. According to historical records (a.k.a. the park map), this town had been in operation until 1942 - after which, California took it over and declared it a historical landmark. Today, it remains as a well-preserved ghost town for tourists to explore.
Ever since I read about Bodie, I've always wanted to visit this state park. And I was finally able to see it firsthand for myself. I know some of y'all are debating whether it's worth the time to venture out here just to see some "ghost town." So let me make it easy for you and list out all the amazing features Bodie had to offer:
-- WELL-PRESERVED PARK --
I know some Yelpers have commented on how dilapidated some of the buildings are. Y'all, this is a GHOST TOWN, not a resort! Anyway, I appreciated how maintained the park was. Inside a lot of the houses, we saw stuff such as newspaper clippings that had been there for what seemed like a long time. Furthermore, all the structures appeared stable despite having that abandoned feel.
-- GORGEOUS LANDSCAPE --
When I bloviated about how Bodie looked just like something straight out of Westworld, I wasn't kidding. The open layout of the town, the sprinkle of churches here and there, the old ranches, and the farm stables - they all helped create this genuine western feeling. It was beautiful. Especially with the mountains in the distance, we found it hard to believe this was real.
-- SUCH HISTORY --
Thanks to the map guide and the video showing inside the barn-house, I learned more than I thought I would. For example, during Bodie's heyday there used to be a ratio of 100 or so miners to a couple of women. Damn! And apparently there was a lot of outlaws and old western showdowns. If you're a California history nut, you'll love this.
-- MUCH MYSTERIOUS --
Super creepy area too. Lots of tourists came by during our visit, but it still felt so secluded and isolated. Very safe, but half the time I thought someone was about to rise from the dead and scare me. As a side note, we noticed that an employee actually lived on the park property so don't be spooked when you see his/her dog staring at you through a window...
-- VERY INTERACTIVE --
Probably one of my favorite parts was that you could get close and personal with some of the property. For instance my friend was able to climb onto an old truck and even sit on what seemed to be remnants of a reindeer sleigh! In addition, they also had one tour that happened each day that allowed you access to the actual mining area!
-- LOW-COST, HIGH REWARD --
Some of y'all also commented on the $$$ of the admission. It was actually only $8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 4-17, and free for the toddlers - SO CHEAP considering how you could spend literally an entire day walking around the gigantic park. It's also $2 for the map booklet, which I highly recommend getting. And, as an added perk this park also had NICE BATHROOMS!
There are a few things you have to know when planning a trip to Bodie. First, there's only one official way to get in and one way out: Road 270. It's about 10 miles to the ghost town from U.S. Highway 395. After 7 miles, the rest is through very unpaved gravel. It's DOABLE, even for car rentals. Just be safe and drive under 10-20 miles per hour. Secondly, the weather. According to the website, Bodie is open all year-round, with winter hours between November 1st-March 31st and summer hours from April 1st-October 31st. But just because it's open everyday, this does NOT MEAN you should pull up during the dead of winter. This park will FREEZE and get snowed in. When we stopped by in the middle of May, it actually started sprinkling snowflakes! Because of the sudden snow and chilling winds, we had to leave early. Even if you feel like you can handle the cold, there's also a 100% chance the only road in will be closed too.
So if you find yourself with nothing to do in California, or maybe you're randomly driving through the Sierra Nevada, I must recommend a visit to Bodie State Historic Park. I give it an "Omg, I'd travel 2 hours for this" rating. We came, we saw, we conquered and I'll definitely do it again.
Have fun and prosper, read more