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Stone castle with red-tiled roofs, surrounded by palm trees and desert gardens beneath rugged mountains

Park news · Death Valley

Death Valley: Scotty's Castle, guided exterior tours, interiors not before 2028

Tours of Scotty's Castle stay limited to the exterior on guided visits; a full reopening, interiors included, isn't expected before November 2028 at the earliest.

By Jocelyn Pion, · Updated

Developing story · 1 update since the first story Jump to where it started

Timeline

  1. Latest update

    Tickets now on dvnha.org, full reopening not before 2028

    Guided-tour tickets are now booked through dvnha.org, according to Sierra Wave. The next phase of construction starts in 2027 and will cover the parking area, the historic Longshed, and the Gas Tank House. Once the work wraps up, the Gas Tank House will be turned into a visitor contact station, per Sierra Wave. A full reopening, interiors included, isn't expected before November 2028 at the earliest. Until then, tours stay limited to the exterior, guided only.

    Official source : Death Valley National Park news release: Tours Offered at Scotty’s Castle as Restoration Continues

  2. Where it started

    Death Valley: Guided Exterior Tours Return to Scotty's Castle

    While restoration continues, the historic grounds of Scotty's Castle are open again for guided exterior tours on a limited schedule.

    Here's some good news if you're planning a Death Valley trip this winter. The historic grounds of Scotty's Castle are open to visitors again, though only on a limited basis. The site is still an active work zone, since the National Park Service is pressing ahead with its repairs and restoration. Access is partial for now, and you have to earn it a little.

    Guided tours cover the exterior grounds only. You won't step inside the buildings, but you'll walk the surroundings of this offbeat mansion stranded out in the desert. For a first look at the place and its history, that's already a real treat.

    Visitors stand before a desert castle with stone arches, scaffolding, palm trees, and rugged mountains in the background

    Pay close attention to the days. These tours run most Saturdays and Sundays, starting October 10 and continuing through April 17. That window covers the whole cool season, when getting around Death Valley stays at its most bearable. We'd suggest aiming for these winter months for your visit.

    There's also a more flexible option. Private weekday tours are available for small groups by request. If you're traveling with a group and the weekend doesn't line up with your itinerary, it's worth looking into by contacting the park.

    One practical note before you lock in your dates. The park says "most" Saturdays and Sundays, not all of them. Check that the tour is actually running before you head out there, since the grounds sit off on their own in a huge park, and a pointless detour costs you dearly in time.

    To place Scotty's Castle within the larger park and build out the rest of your plans, lean on our Death Valley park guide. If you're stringing together several Western sites, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through this park too.