Death Valley’s Famous Scotty’s Castle is Finally Welcoming Visitors After Being Closed 11 Years
Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park has been closed to regular visitors since October 2015. Starting October 10, visitors will have another chance to explore the historic property, although they still won’t be able to go inside the castle.
The National Park Service announced on October 8 that it will offer guided exterior tours most Saturdays and Sundays through April 17, 2027. Private weekday tours are also available for small groups upon request.
Park rangers and guides from the Death Valley Natural History Association will lead visitors around the grounds. The tours will cover the property’s history and ongoing restoration work, which has now stretched on for nearly 11 years.
Located in the northern part of the park, Scotty’s Castle is a Spanish Revival-style estate built in the 1920s by Chicago businessman Albert Johnson as a winter home for himself and his wife, Bessie. It got its name from Johnson’s friend Walter “Scotty” Scott, who claimed the money to build it came from his gold mine.
What to Know About the Scotty’s Castle Tours
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The tours are limited to the exterior grounds, and visitors must have a reservation. Tickets and additional information are available through the Death Valley Natural History Association.
The castle and surrounding Grapevine Canyon remain closed to the public outside of authorized tours.
Why Has Scotty’s Castle Been Closed So Long?
On October 18, 2015, a storm dumped 2¾ inches of rain on Scotty’s Castle in just five hours. According to the National Park Service, that was roughly a year’s worth of rain for the area.
The flash flood sent mud and rocks rushing through Grapevine Canyon, damaging historic buildings, roads and utilities. Some buildings were left with four feet of mud and rocks inside, while portions of the road leading to the castle were washed away.
Restoration work has faced several setbacks, including a fire in April 2021 that destroyed the historic Garage, which had served as the visitor center. Contractors had completed about 60% of the Garage’s repairs when the fire occurred. The NPS estimates the repair cost at about $71 million.
When Will Scotty’s Castle Fully Reopen?
More construction is expected to begin in 2027, including repairs to the parking lot, historic Longshed and Gas Tank House. The Gas Tank House will also be converted into a small visitor contact station.
Once construction is finished, park staff will return the historic furniture and museum collections to the castle so interior tours can resume.
The NPS anticipates a full reopening as early as November 2028. That date is not guaranteed, and the park will continue providing updates as work progresses.
