Homestake Dry Camp — Racetrack Valley Road Backcountry Campsite

Homestake Dry Camp is a designated backcountry campsite on the Racetrack Road corridor in the Death Valley high desert, near the south end of the run by the playa. It’s a bare patch of desert with no water, no toilets, no tables and no shade. You camp out in the open with Joshua trees and big sky, and at night the stars here are the real deal. Bring everything, including your own water and a way to pack out waste. Fires are not the move out here, so run a stove and check current NPS rules before you roll.

Racetrack Road is roughly 27 miles of washboard gravel from Ubehebe Crater, with Teakettle Junction on the way. The sharp rock shreds sidewalls every season, so carry two spares and a plug kit, and air down sensibly. Rain can turn the road to slop and close it. Cell service is nonexistent. Camping on the playa itself is not allowed. Confirm the exact location, current road conditions and camping rules with Death Valley NP before heading out. Have a dirty day.

Dry camp on the Racetrack, no frills