Bodie State Historic Park
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Bodie State Historic Park is one of the best preserved ghost towns in the United States---the many buildings are kept in a state of "arrested decay."

Gold was discovered at Bodie in 1859, and by the 1870s it boasted three breweries and dozens of saloons and dance halls. There was more gambling, drinking, and shooting than any other mining camp. Those lawless days come alive as you wander through Bodie's deserted buildings. Bodie is considered to be the best, and most well-preserved, historic ghost town in the country. Bodie reached a population of about 10,000 by 1879, but today only a few State Park Rangers live there year-round. It is a 45-minute drive from Lee Vining. The park is open year-round, 8:00am to 7:00pm in the summer months, and 9:00am to 4:00pm the rest of the year. Summer is the best time to visit---at other times the weather is unpredictable. Bodie is one of the coldest spots in the country---in 1999 it had the coldest temperature on 71 days of the year! Over-snow travel may be required to reach the park during the winter months. An entrance fee is charged. Bring drinking water---there are no services within 14 miles of the park. For more information call (760) 647-6445.