The Death Valley National Monument is located about 140 miles north of Las Vegas via U.S. Highway 95 and Nevada State Route 374. Beatty, the turnoff point, is a good base for excursions into the valley, offering moderately priced food and lodging, as well as plenty of casino action.
Despite its arid, barren appearance, Death Valley is actually a fascinating and beautiful place to visit, filled with historic sites, unique natural areas and a remarkable array of recreational opportunities. Death Valley gets a bad rap because of its unpleasant name and the ominous sounding names of many of the landmarks found there.
Historians tell us Death Valley was first settled by roaming tribes of native Americans, including, more recently, the Shoshone. In 1849, a group of white settlers entered the valley, thinking it was a shortcut to California. After barely surviving the trek across the area, the hardy pioneers named it Death Valley.
It is a two and a half hour drive from Las Vegas by automobile.
Sightseeing can be done in an automobile, hiking, biking and camping. Join a ranger November through April for a talk, walk, guided hike, or evening progam. Join a ranger for a living history costumed tour of the historic Scotty's Castle.
Located in the center of Death Valley, the visitors center offers an informative 18-minute video presentation and displays describing the history of the area. The center is also well stocked with books, tapes, pamphlets and videos about the region which can be purchased. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Perched on the northeastern edge of Death Valley National Monument is Scotty's Castle. Built in the early 1920s as a vacation getaway by a wealthy midwesterner named Albert M. Johnson, the castle is a kind of mini-San Simeon filled with antiques, history and unusual, ahead-of-their-time architectural designs. Behind the castle is a story even more appealing than its architecture. Just after the turn of the century, a colorful miner named Walter E. Scott -- or "Death Valley Scotty" -- who had spent many years prospecting in the Rhyolite-Death Valley area, befriended Albert Johnson. Stories indicate that Scotty suggested Grapevine Canyon as the site for Johnson's vacation castle. The location had water and a commanding view of Death Valley. Soon, a massive multi-story Spanish-style stucco and tile mansion was built on the desert's edge. Albert Johnson spared no expense in creating his castle. Elaborate turrets rise above the dozens of rooms in the compound. Inside, he filled the place with rustic southwestern furniture, wall hangings and decor. During nine years of construction -- the castle eventually cost between $1.5 and $2 million in dollars worth many times their present value. When the complex was completed, the Johnsons named it the Death Valley Ranch. However, Albert Johnson also had a good sense of humor. As Scotty was a frequent guest, the two would often tell people that Scotty was the proprietor and Johnson was simply a visitor. Within a short time, most people referred to the facility as "Scotty's Castle" rather than its real name.
Perched on the northeastern edge of Death Valley National Monument is Scotty's Castle. Built in the early 1920s as a vacation getaway by a wealthy midwesterner named Albert M. Johnson, the castle is a kind of mini-San Simeon filled with antiques, history and unusual, ahead-of-their-time architectural designs. Behind the castle is a story even more appealing than its architecture. Just after the turn of the century, a colorful miner named Walter E. Scott -- or "Death Valley Scotty" -- who had spent many years prospecting in the Rhyolite-Death Valley area, befriended Albert Johnson. Stories indicate that Scotty suggested Grapevine Canyon as the site for Johnson's vacation castle. The location had water and a commanding view of Death Valley. Soon, a massive multi-story Spanish-style stucco and tile mansion was built on the desert's edge. Albert Johnson spared no expense in creating his castle. Elaborate turrets rise above the dozens of rooms in the compound. Inside, he filled the place with rustic southwestern furniture, wall hangings and decor. During nine years of construction -- the castle eventually cost between $1.5 and $2 million in dollars worth many times their present value. When the complex was completed, the Johnsons named it the Death Valley Ranch. However, Albert Johnson also had a good sense of humor. As Scotty was a frequent guest, the two would often tell people that Scotty was the proprietor and Johnson was simply a visitor. Within a short time, most people referred to the facility as "Scotty's Castle" rather than its real name.
