The best camping in Bodie State Historic Park, CA

Situated in the high desert, northeast of Yosemite National Park, this historic park preserves the town of Bodie, a ghost town that was once a thriving gold mining locale. Bodie was established after Gold Rush miners pushed indigenous Paiute people out of the territory and got to prospecting. Most of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1932, but numerous structures still stand, including homes, warehouses, and even a morgue. While most structures are closed to visitors (save for the visitor center and museum), you're welcome to peek through the windows to get a glimpse of the interiors. Bodie State Historic Park offers no overnight camping.

Bodie State Historic Park is best visited from May through October, when daytime temperatures are usually in the low- to mid-70s. Temperatures drop dramatically in winter, and the park usually gets a fair amount of snow, making access challenging for most vehicles, even those with 4-wheel-drive. While the park is open year-round, the visitor center and museum are only open from mid-May through October.

• Free history talks and low-cost Stamp Mill tours are held regularly during summer. Private tours are also available with advance notice through the non-profit Bodie Foundation.
• The park is at an elevation of 8,300 feet, where dehydration and sunburn can occur much more quickly than at lower altitudes.
• Accessible features include restrooms, picnic sites, ADA parking, and a loaner wheelchair. The museum/visitor center has a ramp, and the quarter-mile-long Cemetery Trail, which leads from the parking area, is wheelchair accessible.
• Dogs are allowed on a leash, but only service animals may enter buildings.