Forgotten California castle sucks up $5M in taxpayer cash without opening to the public as planned: report

Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park has remained closed since a devastating 2015 flash flood, yet storing and caring for its collection has cost taxpayers nearly $5 million. The case highlights the expense of preserving a historic site while restoration and a return to public access are delayed.

The collection of more than 12,400 artefacts costs about $350,000 a year to store and maintain, with most allocated funds going towards rent for the storage facility. A 2021 fire, funding and staffing difficulties, and legal protections for historic features have slowed the work. Construction is expected to resume next year, and a full reopening is tentatively planned for November 2028; weekend restoration tours are available until 17 April.