Scotty’s Castle, the long-closed Death Valley landmark, has released dates for tours this winter — including private access for small groups.
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A desert retreat built in the 1920s for a rich Chicago couple, the castle drew 100,000 visitors a year until flash flooding in October 2015 caused extensive damage. A 2021 fire that destroyed an outbuilding hindered the rehabilitation. Not only the building but the land around it has remained off limits.
Limited tours of the grounds have been offered during the closure; those from January to March this year sold out in days.
The Death Valley Natural History Association is selling tickets for three types of tours from October through April. All are of the grounds only; there is no public access inside the castle.
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The standard tours, guided either by National Park Service staff or the history group, cost $35 a person. They are on weekends from Oct. 10 to mid-April, plus a few weekdays in late December.
Also offered are two-hour private weekday tours for small groups — billed as allowing parties of up to 10 people “to explore at their own pace.” Those cost $315 for groups up to five, $350 for groups of six, plus $50 for each additional person up to 10.
The National Park Service has not announced any timetable for full reopening of Scotty’s Castle to the public.
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