Racetrack Playa – Death Valley National Park
Hike across the playa to a the famous moving rocks. Do NOT walk on the playa if it is wet.
| Total Distance: Varies; this guide is 1.6 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 39ft. (3,705ft. to 3,711ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: No |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Moderate to Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 1.9 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:  |
Features:    | Hazards:      |
Mile-by-Mile: Racetrack Playa
0.0 The Racetrack Playa Parking Area (3,781ft.). Walk east onto the playa. Continue east to about halfway across to begin to see the moving rocks. There are rocks in quite a number of places – head for 36.665510°, -117.557015° and then explore to find your favorites. Whatever you do, do not walk on the playa if it is wet or muddy! Your footprints will remind visitors of vandalism for years to come. When you’ve finished exploring, return to the parking area. (36.6657174°, -117.5681549°)
History & More
Do not walk on the playa if it is wet! Your footprints will remain for many, many years into the future – ruining the experience for future visitors.
Vandals have created fake rock-trails closer to the parking area. Keep walking to find the real “sailing stones.”
The moving rocks vary in size from only a few ounces to many hundreds of pounds.
The Racetrack is not the only place where “sailing stones” can be found – for example, other such rocks have been discovered on the Bonnie Clare Playa in Nevada.
No one is certain why or how the rocks moved across the playa (dry lakebed). The best explanation at this point goes something like this: Water on the lakebed freezes on top of a thin layer of clay. When the ice breaks up, the thin sheets of ice cause an “ice shove” that, combined with high winds, push the rocks at speeds up to 16ft. per minute.
Download Trail Map
Coming soon!
Driving Directions
Take the Racetrack Road from the Ubehebe Crater Road 27.3 miles from the crater. Turn left into the parking area for the Racetrack Playa or Sailing Stones.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
Click here for all park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)
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