DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Scotty’s Castle, a distinctive historic landmark within Death Valley National Park, will offer guided exterior tours this season, providing a limited opportunity for visitors to explore its grounds. These tours will run most Saturdays and Sundays from October 10 through April 17, as the National Park Service (NPS) continues its significant repair and restoration work.
For those interested in experiencing the site and learning about the ongoing efforts to restore it, private weekday tours are also available for small groups upon request. NPS rangers and guides from the Death Valley Natural History Association will lead these tours. Tickets for all tours can be secured through dvnha.org.
The offering of these tours comes as Scotty’s Castle remains closed to full access, a situation that has been in place since October 2015. A flash flood that year caused extensive damage across the site, affecting buildings, roads, utilities, and the historic landscape. Since that time, the NPS has completed crucial repairs to the site’s critical infrastructure, and work continues toward the goal of a full reopening.
Scotty's Castle is situated in the northern part of Death Valley National Park and is recognized for its 1920s Spanish Revival-style architecture. It was originally built by Chicago businessman Albert Johnson as a winter retreat for himself and his wife, Bessie. The estate gained wider public recognition and interest due in part to the colorful stories shared by Johnson's friend, Walter “Scotty” Scott. Today, it remains one of the park’s most treasured historic sites, known for its unique design, dramatic desert surroundings, and rich, unusual history.
The next phase of construction at Scotty's Castle is anticipated to commence in 2027. This upcoming work will focus on repairs to the parking lot, the historic Longshed, and the historic Gas Tank House. Furthermore, the historic Gas Tank House will be adapted to serve as a small visitor contact station. Once this construction phase is completed, curatorial staff will begin the process of returning historic furnishings and museum collections to the Castle. This will be a significant step in preparation for the eventual resumption of interior tours, allowing visitors to once again explore the full extent of the historic estate.
Based on current project timelines, the earliest projected date for Scotty's Castle to fully reopen is November 2028. The park has stated it will continue to provide updates as the restoration work progresses, keeping the community and visitors informed about the progress towards making this landmark fully accessible once more.
