Bodie and Benton Crossing — Mono Basin High Desert Circuit via Masonic Mountain
Ghost towns, mines, and alkali flats.
Bodie sits at 8,375 feet on a windswept plateau and hasn’t changed much since the 1880s — the wooden structures lean into the constant wind, and the roads approaching from the north via Masonic Mountain remind you fast that you’re in the high desert, not on a highway. This circuit departs Bridgeport, climbs into the Bodie Hills via Masonic Road, passes the crumbling ruins of the Masonic Mine and stamp mill, then drops southeast toward the ghost town itself before swinging south through Adobe Valley and finishing at Benton Crossing on the Owens River — a stretch that covers everything from volcanic tablelands to alkali flats.
Most of the route is manageable for a stock high-clearance 4WD, but the Masonic Mountain spur gets loose and eroded enough that locking diffs help. Snow closes the Bodie Hills roads November through May — July through October is the window. Fuel in Bridgeport before you go; the loop is 70-plus miles with no services. Cell service is gone past Masonic. Bodie State Historic Park charges a day-use fee. Dispersed camping is available on BLM land outside the park boundary. What you get is one of the most historically loaded backcountry drives in the lower 48, finishing on a trout stream.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 74 mi / 119.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8900 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Bridgeport, CA |
| Land manager | California State Parks / BLM Bishop Field Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Bodie State Historic Park BLM Bishop Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma, 4Runner, or Wrangler is the minimum you want. No lift required, but the Masonic Mountain mining roads have loose rock and embedded stones that will punish low-clearance SUVs and crossovers.
When does snow close the trail, and when is it reliably driveable again?
Snow typically closes the upper sections and Masonic Mountain roads from November through June. July through October is the reliable window — even then, afternoon thunderstorms in August can turn the dirt sections greasy fast.
Do I need a permit to drive through Bodie State Historic Park, and is there a fee?
Yes — Bodie State Historic Park charges a day-use fee (currently $8/adult, $5/youth). If you're just passing through on the surrounding BLM roads you can bypass the fee, but entry into the park itself requires payment at the gate. No advance permit needed.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually be ready for?
The Masonic Mountain mining road segment is the technical crux — narrow shelf road, loose decomposed granite, and steep drop-offs with limited passing room. It's not extreme, but it demands attention and you don't want to be up there in a wide-body truck if you can avoid it.
Is there any water or fuel along the route, or do I need to plan for the full 74 miles self-supported?
Plan to be fully self-supported — there's no fuel or reliable water between Bridgeport and Benton. Top off in Bridgeport before you leave, carry at least 5 gallons of water, and treat any natural sources you find. Cell service is dead throughout, so if something goes wrong, you're handling it yourself.
Trail track
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