Death Valley National Park will offer limited opportunities for visitors to explore the historic grounds of Scotty’s Castle this season while the National Park Service (NPS) continues repairs and restoration work. Guided exterior tours are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays, beginning October 10 and continuing through April 17. Private weekday tours can also be arranged for small groups upon request.
These tours provide visitors a chance to experience one of Death Valley National Park’s most recognizable historic landmarks and gain insight into the ongoing restoration efforts. NPS rangers and guides from the Death Valley Natural History Association will lead the tours. Tickets for all tours are available through the Death Valley Natural History Association.
Scotty’s Castle is situated in the northern part of Death Valley National Park. It is a 1920s Spanish Revival-style estate that Chicago businessman Albert Johnson built as a winter retreat for himself and his wife, Bessie. The estate gained its fame through Johnson’s friend, Walter “Scotty” Scott, whose engaging stories helped to attract public interest. Recognized for its distinct architecture, its striking desert environment, and its unusual history, Scotty’s Castle remains one of the park’s most cherished historic sites.
The site has been closed to the public since October 2015, when a flash flood inflicted extensive damage. This damage affected buildings, roads, utilities, and the historic landscape. Since that time, the National Park Service has completed significant repairs to critical infrastructure and is continuing its work toward fully reopening the site to visitors.
The next phase of construction at Scotty's Castle is expected to commence in 2027. This upcoming work will involve repairs to the parking lot, the historic Longshed, and the historic Gas Tank House. The Gas Tank House is also slated for adaptation to serve as a small visitor contact station. Following the completion of this construction, curatorial staff will begin the process of returning historic furnishings and museum collections to the Castle. This action will be a necessary step in preparing for the eventual resumption of interior tours for the public.
Based on current project timelines, the earliest anticipated date for a full reopening of Scotty’s Castle is November 2028. The park has stated it will continue to provide updates as restoration work progresses.
