Quick Facts
- State
- California
- County
- Mariposa County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
You don't stumble onto Ridleys Ferry by accident. That's rather the point. Ridleys Ferry, later Benton Mills, is a former settlement in Mariposa County, California, United States. It was located on the south bank of the Merced River, opposite the settlement of Bagby.
Mariposa County holds 22 documented ghost towns, including Agua Fria, Bagby, Ben Hur — Ridleys Ferry keeps them company on the map.
The story of Ridleys Ferry
California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.
Ridleys Ferry, later Benton Mills, is a former settlement in Mariposa County, California, United States. It was located on the south bank of the Merced River, opposite the settlement of Bagby.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Ridleys Ferry is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Ridleys Ferry is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Ridleys Ferry FAQs
Where is Ridleys Ferry located?
What county is Ridleys Ferry in?
What is the history of Ridleys Ferry?
What remains at Ridleys Ferry today?
Can you visit Ridleys Ferry?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Ridleys Ferry, California”), CC BY-SA.