Scotty’s Castle Mansion in the Middle of Death Valley

Scotty’s Castle is still closed. No opening date has been set

Built in 1927 by wealthy insurance executive Albert Johnson, smack dab in the middle of Death Valley National Park is Scotty’s Castle. A 32,000-square-foot two-story Spanish Villa in Grapevine Canyon.

A trip to this magnificent piece of California’s history is well worth the sweat if you are willing to traverse the barren landscape through sweltering summer temperatures.

Scotty’s Castle Spanish-style manor

The main house replicates a Spanish-style manor with every amenity possible, including a bordering chimes tower, upper music room, several guest rooms, theater, and organ room.

A 270-foot pool was constructed but never completed. The tile to cover the swimming pool is still in storage inside the castle. Several socialites and celebrities of years past vacationed in the court, including Norman Rockwell, Betty Grable, and Will Rogers.

Guided Tours

Park rangers in period costume offer guided living history tours of the central house interior 365 days a year. The time lasts approximately 50 minutes and is every hour. No food or drink is allowed in the house, but cameras are. A chairlift is available to reach the second floor of Scotty’s Castle, and wheelchairs are available on-site.

The Underground Mysteries Tour explores the basement of Scotty’s Castle, utility tunnels, and powerhouse. It’s a fascinating look at the technology, which at the time was very advanced. You will also see modern technology that the National Park Service uses to preserve the Castle.

The tour will lead you through part of the tunnel system that runs beneath the Castle, ending with a demonstration of the water wheel used to generate electricity for the site. This tour is entirely separate from the house tour and lasts about an hour.

Lower Vine Ranch Hike

If you have not visited Scotty’s Castle before, visit the main house first. Ranger-guided hiking tours are available at Lower Vine Ranch on a seasonal basis, so call ahead. The tour is 2½ hours over a two-mile walk on a dirt road. This is not a suitable trip for the disabled or those who tire quickly.

Written tour translations are available in multiple languages, and English versions are available for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. There are no restrooms at the Lower Vine Ranch, so make a pit stop at Scotty’s Castle or the Grapevine Ranger Station. On the day of your tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Cameras are allowed to take lots of pictures. Death Valley is a dry zone, so bring bottled water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. There is a small snack bar available on site. Small children tend to become restless on a long tour, so consider that when bringing young ones.

Scotty’s Grave Site

While visiting the castle, check out Scotty’s Grave Site, which stands guard over the buildings on a nearby hilltop. You get an excellent overview of the property and see what Death Valley Scotty looked like.

Castle Events

Several events are held each season. Scotty’s Castle Organ Concert benefits the Theatre Organ and Chimes Tower Maintenance fund. It features a Welte-Mignon theater pipe organ with 1121 pipes, a grand piano, xylophone, chimes, orchestra bells, and a drum and cymbal assortment. Pipe organs like the one in Scotty’s Castle were used to accompany silent films.

There is no lodging at the castle, the nearest inside the park at Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek. Nevada has complete services sixty miles from Scotty’s Castle. Mesquite Spring Campground is five miles south of the Castle.

The nearest gas stations are at Stovepipe Wells, 45 miles south. Furnace Creek, 53 miles south, and Beatty, Nevada, 60 miles. Scotty’s Castle is located approximately five hours from Los Angeles and six from San Diego.

Scotty’s Castle Grounds Tour

Currently, Scotty’s Castle is closed until 2020. However, not all is lost. You can take a 2-hour guided walking tour of the grounds. Reservations are required.  Tour start at the Grapevine Ranger Station, where you board a van that will take you to the castle. Due to safety concerns, children under six years of age are not allowed.

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