Bridgeport sits at about 1,950 metres in a high desert valley, which gives it a climate of extremes. Summers are warm and sunny with cool nights; winters are cold, snowy, and can cut off access to the surrounding mountains entirely.
Late May to October is the main season. The Bodie road is paved as far as the park boundary but the last three miles are dirt — passable in summer but often closed by snow in winter. Twin Lakes and the hot springs are accessible from late spring. Wildflower season peaks in June and July on the higher trails.
July and August are the busiest months. Campgrounds at Twin Lakes fill up, and Bodie sees its largest crowds. Temperatures in the valley reach the high 20s Celsius; afternoon thunderstorms are common and can be dramatic.
September and October are excellent for hiking and fishing — cooler than summer, with fewer visitors and the first autumn colour in the aspen groves above town.
November to April: most campgrounds close and some roads become impassable. Bodie is open year-round but the last miles to the park may require chains or four-wheel drive. The valley can be bitterly cold, but on a clear winter day the light on the Sierra crest is extraordinary.