Abandoned Villages You Can Actually Stay in Overnight

5. Bodie, California, USA

Deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains lies Bodie, one of the most iconic ghost towns in the American West. This once-bustling Gold Rush settlement boomed in the 1870s but was left to decay by the early 20th century. Today, more than 100 wooden structures remain, preserved in “arrested decay” within Bodie State Historic Park. While you can’t camp inside the town itself, several campgrounds lie within a short drive—close enough to explore the ghost town by day and sleep under pitch-black skies by night. At over 8,000 feet in elevation, the air is thin, dry, and crystal clear, offering some of the best stargazing conditions in California. Helpful Tip: Mono Lake, just 30 minutes away, offers excellent camping and bizarre salt formations for daytime adventures. Be prepared for cold nights year-round, and bring a telescope if you’ve got one—this is dark-sky country at its finest.