Racetrack Valley Road — Ubehebe Crater to The Racetrack via Teakettle Junction
Sliding rocks and tyre-eating washboard.
Leave the pavement at Ubehebe Crater in the north end of Death Valley and the washboard starts almost immediately. The road climbs through Joshua tree and juniper country, past Teakettle Junction, where travellers hang kettles and mugs on a signpost. It then drops to the Racetrack Playa, a perfectly flat dry lakebed where rocks leave long tracks across the clay. Park at the Grandstand, an outcrop of dark quartz monzonite rising from the playa, and walk out on the lakebed. Please don’t drive on the surface. The Racetrack is about 27 miles from the crater and sits near 3,700 ft, with sky and silence in every direction.
Rated Moderate for the washboard and sharp rock, not for any technical driving. High clearance is the rule, and a stock 4WD or SUV with sturdy light-truck tyres will do. Flats are common here, so carry two good spares, a compressor, a plug kit and plenty of water. There’s no water on route and no cell service. Best season is October to April, because summer heat is dangerous and storms can wash out sections of the road. Check Death Valley road conditions before heading out. No permit is needed for driving the road, but camp only in designated roadside sites, and some sites need a free backcountry permit. Take home everything, including your tyre scraps. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 27 mi / 43.5 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4100 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with LT tyres and two spares |
| Nearest town | Stovepipe Wells, California |
| Land manager | National Park Service, Death Valley National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Death Valley National Park Park conditions and road status |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma do Racetrack Valley Road?
Yes, in dry conditions. The road is graded gravel and needs high clearance but not low-range 4WD. Tyres are the real limit: the washboard and sharp rock cause more flats here than on any other Death Valley road, so run LT-rated tyres, not P-metric, and carry two full-size spares.
When is the best time to drive it, and does it close?
October through April is the window. Summer highs at Ubehebe regularly top 110°F, and a breakdown with no cell service becomes dangerous fast. Flash floods and washouts can close the road at any time of year, so check the NPS conditions page before you go.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Racetrack Valley Road?
No special permit is needed for the road itself. You do need to pay Death Valley National Park's entrance fee, which is good for 7 days. Do not walk on the playa surface when it is wet, and do not move or pick up the sliding rocks.
What's the hardest part of the trail?
The washboard, especially the stretch between Teakettle Junction and the Racetrack, which shakes loose gear and punishes tyres and suspension. Expect 15-25 mph for most of the 27 miles. Dropping tyre pressure a few psi helps ride and traction but raises sidewall-cut risk on sharp rock, so go easy on the throttle.
Where can I camp, and is there cell service or fuel on the route?
There is no cell service and no fuel. Fill up at Stovepipe Wells before you leave and carry extra water. Dispersed camping is permitted along the road in designated roadside sites, and Homestake Campground near the Racetrack is the usual base. Camp only in established sites and follow NPS backcountry rules.
Have a dirty day.
Trail track
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