6. Bodie, California
Bodie sprang up almost overnight as miners chased dreams of gold deep in California’s high desert. Its boom brought not only fortune, but also a notorious wave of violence and lawlessness—as the saying went, “Goodbye God, we are going to Bodie.” Today, Bodie’s weathered buildings and deserted streets are preserved as a state historic park, offering a rare and authentic glimpse into the ghost towns of the Wild West. Visit California State Parks for more.
