Summer is upon us and we’re planning our Summer and Fall PawVentures! Have you planned yours yet? Whaddaya Waiting fur? Let’s do it together! Mom booked our FAVOWITE Mammoth Summer getaway way back in February and we can’t wait to go! We have LOTS of places we want to visit again plus, Mom always adds new cool places to our Scoobylife PawVentures® Travel Journal! One place Mom is obsessed with is an amazing old gold mining town wayyyyy up in the hills which also happens to be a Ghost Town but, you are probably wondering…Can I Take My Dog to Bodie Cali?
Ghost Town Bodie
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13 miles up bumpy, dusty Bodie Road Route 270 you will find a town from the late 1880’s frozen in time. Despite the harsh winters (Bodie has had the coldest temperatures in the US on many occasions), strong winds and wildfires, around 100 of the original 2500+ structures remain in the 500 acres of Bodie California. And, YES you can, take your Dog to Bodie Cali during the “Summer” months when Bodie is accessible by car!
But before you head to Bodie there’s a few things you need to know to have the bestest trip!
Bodie California Weather
Be sure to read our list of things to take to Bodie on our Eastern Sierra page before you go! Bodie Historic State Park has LOTS of weather! It’s important to prepare before you head out for your Day Trip.
Note: There are water fountains at the entrance of the park and very nice restrooms but, not once you start walking through Ghost Town.
Is Bodie Ghost Town Open?
Dog Friendly Bodie is typically open from Mid March to Early November dependent on conditions from 9am to 6pm. Check online or on social media (instagram and facebook) to see if Bodie Road is Open – the Rangers post updates frequently!
How Much Does it Cost to Go Into Bodie Cali?
$8.00 per adult over 18 years old
$5.00 per child (ages 4 to 17)
Free for infants (ages 0-3)
Bodie California Map
The Ghost Town of Bodie Cali is very visible on Google Maps and on our Scoobylife map but you may not have cell signal in the town. So, it’s a great idea to purchase Bodie’s $3.00 Self Guided Tour Book ahead of time or at the park entrance!
Bodie California Old Pictures
The town of Bodie has been the backdrop to several old movies and even album covers! Check out our Bodie Page to see which ones!
Here’s a video from the 1950’s (Mom thinks it’s actually 1947) in Bodie CA with some of the last residents still living there! The Cain family sold it soon after in 1961 to the State of California.
You can learn more about the people interviewed and mentioned in this amazing Bodie Youtube video on Bodie.com! According to the Bodie records, Mr. Bell died in 1950. We think this video may be from 1947 since Mr. Lester Bell is still alive but not sure!
Lester L Bell & Louise Bell and the Bell House
James Stuart Cain early settler, successful business man and eventual owner of Bodie CA
David “Vick” Cain & Wife Ella M Cody Cain
William Biggs – no information found about Mr. Biggs the Diamond man or his Rattlesnake Mine however, there is a Mr. Biggs associated with this Grass Valley Mine which is “just over the hill” as he described!
The Caretaker may be Martin Gianettoni, one of the last three people living in Bodie in 1943, who was a caretaker before Bodie was sold.
How Much Time Do You Need In Bodie CA?
Use the weather as your guide and try to plan for pleasant weather if possible. Slightly cloudy would be great as Bodie Cali is in full sun! If it’s hot you’ll need to plan for many shade breaks so don’t be in a rush for your dog’s sake. Overall, it’s ideal to plan for at least a half day round trip! Take layers for you and your dog because weather can change quickly!
Arrive just before they open and pace yourself. Have a picnic in your car after you tour Bodie then stop and explore the scenic drive on your way back! (We definitely want to search for the Bodie Race Track on the way out on our next visit)! You can explore Mono Lake, Lundy Lake and or Bridgeport which are all nearby and even pick up fish tacos at Whoa Nellie Deli on Lee Vining on Tioga Road! If you’re feeling super adventurous you could continue East on Bodie Road to the Nevada state line! We haven’t done that yet but it sound fun!
More Bodie Old Pictures
Check out our page on Bodie in our Eastern Sierra section for more tips before you go!
