Racetrack Valley Road — Death Valley’s Sailing Stones and Grandstand Playa Loop
Rocks that move. Roads that bite.
From Ubehebe Crater, drop south 27 miles on washboard hell into Racetrack Valley — a dry lakebed so flat and white it looks photoshopped into the Panamint Range backdrop. The Grandstand, a dark outcrop of quartz monzonite rising from the playa’s north end, is your first waypoint. Then push to the Racetrack itself where the sailing stones leave long, unmistakable tracks across the cracked surface. Nobody believed the rocks moved until researchers planted GPS trackers in 2014 and caught thin winter ice panels pushing them in light desert wind. The road beats tires and rims relentlessly — the washboard is some of the worst in the national park system, and flats are common enough that two full-size spares is the honest recommendation here.
High clearance with solid all-terrain tires is the minimum. Don’t even think about it in a two-wheel-drive rental. The NPS requests visitors stay off the playa surface to protect the mud crust. No permit required, but the park charges an entry fee. Furnace Creek is your last fuel stop before you turn north toward Ubehebe — 50-plus miles from the playa. No water on route. Cell service is zero. Best season is November through March to avoid lethal summer heat. Remote, punishing, and absolutely worth it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 54 mi / 86.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3708 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with two spare tires |
| Nearest town | Furnace Creek, CA |
| Land manager | Death Valley National Park, NPS |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Racetrack Valley Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will make it, but the washboard and embedded rocks are brutal on tires — flats are extremely common. Lift helps, but two full-size spare tires matter more than ride height here.
When is Racetrack Valley Road actually driveable, and can it close without warning?
November through March is the sweet spot — summer temps regularly exceed 120°F and can kill you and your engine. Flash floods can close the road any time of year without notice; check with the Death Valley NPS visitor center at Furnace Creek before you head out.
Do I need a permit or pay a separate fee to drive to the Racetrack?
No separate permit required, but Death Valley National Park charges a $35 vehicle entrance fee valid for 7 days. No additional fee or reservation needed for the Racetrack itself.
What's the hardest section of the road and what makes it difficult?
The 26-mile Ubehebe Crater to Racetrack stretch is relentless washboard with sharp embedded rocks — it's not a technical rock crawl, but the sustained vibration loosens lug nuts and the jagged surface destroys tires. Drive slow (15–20 mph), check your lug nuts mid-trip, and keep both spares accessible.
Is there any water or gas along the route, and where's the nearest fuel?
There is zero water and zero services on this road — none. Furnace Creek is your last chance for gas and it's roughly 55 miles from the Racetrack; top off there and carry extra fuel plus at least a gallon of water per person per day minimum.
Trail track
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