21 Everyday Places You'd Never Guess Were Used for Dark Movie Scenes

17. Bodie State Historic Park, CA – Various Westerns

Bodie isn't a set; it's a real California gold-mining ghost town preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Its weathered buildings, dusty streets, and isolated high-desert location provide unparalleled authenticity for Western films seeking to depict the harshness, lawlessness, and loneliness of the frontier era. Beyond typical shootouts, Bodie's genuine ghostly atmosphere lends itself to films exploring themes of failure, desperation, and the haunting remnants of the past, making it more than just a backdrop – it's a character.