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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.
In short
- Scotty’s Castle has been closed since a 2015 flash flood.
- Caring for its artefacts has cost nearly $5 million.
- The site is tentatively due to reopen in November 2028.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Preserving Scotty’s Castle and its collection protects a historically significant site and thousands of artefacts for future generations. Flood damage, a later fire, staffing and funding constraints, and legal protections for historic features can make restoration complex; continued storage and care may therefore be necessary while work proceeds towards reopening.
The case against
Nearly $5 million in public money has gone towards caring for a collection that remains inaccessible, with much of the annual cost reportedly paying for storage. Taxpayers can reasonably expect clear progress, scrutiny of recurring costs, and a credible timetable, especially when public access has been delayed for years and the reopening date remains tentative.