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Private Tour of Bodie State Historical Park
July 20 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
$170.00 – $225.00
The Maturango Museum has arranged for a very special private tour of Bodie State Historical Park ghost town on Saturday July 20th by Chris Spiller, a longtime Bodie volunteer and tour guide for the Bodie Foundation. We will meet in the Bodie parking lot at 10:00 am and will begin a two-hour tour learning a bit of the history and some revealing stories of what life was like in a booming gold mining town at its peak and during the long decline into what is now a “ghost town”. At the conclusion of the town tour, we will walk through the stamp mill learning firsthand how the gold was extracted from the rock. At the conclusion of the tour, participants will have the remainder of the day to explore additional areas in and around Bodie with Gary Staab ( a former Park Aide) or on their own.
Participants should keep in mind that Bodie is a semi-arid at an elevation of 8,400 and weather can be somewhat unpredictable with both heat and thundershowers all in the same day. It is best to dress in layers with sturdy walking/hiking shoes. Although Bodie sits in a bit of a basin, about half the town lies on a slope, including the Stamp mill. Be sure to bring ample water for this tour as there is no water available in the town. As with all eastern Sierra activities, hats and sunscreen are also highly recommended as well as good sunglasses.
Dogs are permitted in town BUT ARE NOT allowed on the stamp mill tour.
From U.S. 395, State route 270 (7 miles south of Bridgeport) is the turn off for Bodie. Go east 10 miles where the pavement ends and continue 3 miles on a dirt/washboard road to Bodie. 4-wheel drive is not necessary, but vehicles should be in good running order and tires in good condition. There are no services in Bodie, so be sure to come with a full tank of gas (or charged battery) and bring your lunch. Picnic tables are available on the far north side of town.
Motel accommodation may be available in most of the communities from Mammoth Lakes to Bridgeport, but reservations made in advance are strongly recommended.
Your online ticket purchase ($170 members, $225 non-members) includes a donation to The Bodie Foundation. The Museum fee does not include the State Park entry fee for Bodie. That fee is $8.00 per person and be advised Bodie does not accept any kind of federal or state park passes. This tour is limited to 20 guests.