Death Valley landmark Scotty's Castle reopens for limited tours

Scotty's Castle in Death Valley National Park is offering limited flood-recovery tours after about 10 years of repairs; full reopening is expected in a few years and restoration work will continue.

Scotty's Castle, a 1920s vacation home in Death Valley National Park, has opened its grounds for limited flood-recovery tours after roughly a decade of repairs following a damaging flash flood. The property is known for its association with Walter "Death Valley Scotty" Scott and the Johnsons, who built the house as a desert retreat. Repairs have been extensive and delayed by setbacks including a 2021 fire and periods of historic rainfall. The National Park Service says a full reopening is expected in a few years while restoration continues. Key details: - The National Park Service opened the grounds for limited flood-recovery tours in the coming months, with $35 tours scheduled through March reported as sold out. - The restoration has cost and will continue to cost tens of millions of dollars, with the article noting about $90 million estimated to complete repairs. - Scotty's Castle closed after a flash flood and remained under repair for about 10 years before these limited tours began. - Repairs involved extensive utility work and faced setbacks including a 2021 fire and recent historic rainfall, which delayed progress. - The site was a major visitor attraction before closure, drawing about 100,000 visitors a year and featuring original furnishings and guided tours in period costume. - The castle's history includes Walter Scott's staged gold-mining story and his friendship with Albert and Bessie Johnson, which shaped the property's legacy. Summary: Interest in Scotty's Castle remains high, and the limited tours are being offered while restoration work continues. Full reopening is eyed for a few years from now as repairs and recovery efforts proceed.