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Phoenix, Arizona: Mystery Castle

Boyce Luther Gulley built a five-story castle out of junk from 1930-1945, in secret, as a gift to his daughter Mary Lou. She moved in after he died, and gave tours until her death in 2010. The Mystery Castle Historical Foundation now keeps it open for visitors.

Address:
800 E. Mineral Rd, Phoenix, AZ
Directions:
I-10 exit 155. West on Baseline Rd for 5.5 miles. Turn south onto 7th St. for 1.5 miles. At the end of the street, turn left onto Mineral Rd to get to the Castle. Golf courses and gated communities are built up to the edge of the Mystery Castle desert property.
Hours:
Oct.-May Th-Su 11-3:30. Tours. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
602-268-1581
Admission:
Adults $10. Cash only.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Mystery Castle

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Mystery Castle.

Mystery Castle

This place has no AC. I went on Halloween around 11 am and the Mystery Castle was nice, and not that crowded. It is dirt lot parking. There are some stairs in places but I don't believe there were any ramps to access the second floor portion. It is also dark in some spots so if you don't like being in small spaces that feel like caves, there are a few rooms that are not for you.

[Ace Bandito, 07/01/2022]
Mystery Castle

Mystery Castle has been temporarily closed after vandalism. The attraction sustained extensive damage on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Rumor has it, they may not be able to reopen.

[Linda, 03/26/2022]

Thankfully, the Castle clean-up took only 12 days. It's open again.

Mystery Castle.

Mystery Castle

Peculiar and eclectic -- house was featured in a documentary that won an Emmy, and in many magazines like Life - posted in the house to read. $10 admission, $5 for kids, cash only.

[Joanna Bryn, 11/06/2018]
Mystery Castle

Try to get there as early as possible, or go on cool days. It was insanely hot and there is some time where we were waiting in the sun for the tour to continue as others shopped or looked around (museum shop stop is in the middle of the tour).

Be careful if you have balance issues or have trouble walking as well, I saw several people tripping.

[Ak, 05/01/2018]
Mystery Castle

This attraction has become a business and the admission charge has doubled. What once may have been interesting has now become a tourist rip-off. I was less than pleased with this tour.

[G. Clouse, 03/04/2012]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Moffles - Auto Parts ManMoffles - Auto Parts Man, Phoenix, AZ - 3 mi.
Wall of Road SignsWall of Road Signs, Phoenix, AZ - 6 mi.
Phoenix Police MuseumPhoenix Police Museum, Phoenix, AZ - 6 mi.
In the region:
WWII Japanese Internment Camp, Maricopa, AZ - 22 mi.

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