7-Day Itinerary: Exploring Abandoned Mining Towns in the American West

1. Day 1: Bodie State Historic Park
   5 hours (300 miles) from San Francisco

   Step back in time and explore the preserved ghost town of Bodie, featuring abandoned buildings and western history.

2. Day 2: Virginia City Historic District
   2 hours (85 miles) from Bodie

   Walk the streets of Virginia City and visit landmarks from the gold and silver mining era, including the Mackay Mansion.

3. Day 3: Calico Ghost Town
   7 hours (400 miles) from Virginia City

   Explore the historic silver mining town of Calico and enjoy historical reenactments, tours, and a mining museum.

4. Day 4: Jerome State Historic Park
   4 hours (240 miles) from Calico

   Visit the once-thriving copper mining town of Jerome, featuring haunted tours, a museum, and stunning natural beauty.

5. Day 5: St. Elmo Ghost Town
   17 hours (1000 miles) from Jerome

   Take a scenic drive to St. Elmo, one of Colorado's best-preserved ghost towns, with plenty of historic buildings and photo opportunities.

6. Day 6: Nevada Northern Railway Museum
   12 hours (750 miles) from St. Elmo

   Experience the history of the West via a train tour of the old mining town of Ely and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.

7. Day 7: South Pass City State Historic Site
   6 hours (350 miles) from Ely

   Conclude your trip with a visit to South Pass City, a gold mining town turned living museum featuring preserved buildings and original artifacts.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Bodie State Historic Park (3 hours, $8 per person)
• Virginia City Historic District (2 hours, free)
• Calico Ghost Town (4 hours, $8 per person)
• Jerome State Historic Park (3 hours, $7 per person)
• St. Elmo Ghost Town (2 hours, free)
• Nevada Northern Railway Museum (2 hours, $15 per person)
• South Pass City State Historic Site (3 hours, $6 per person)
Total Estimated Costs: $44 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the ghost town of Rhyolite near Death Valley National Park. If you have less time, skip St. Elmo and focus on exploring the other historic sites. Make sure to check opening and closing times of each location as they may vary by season.