The Racetrack Death Valley Junction

The Racetrack near Death Valley Junction in Death Valley National Park, California is a lakebed. Those who drive on Racetrack Valley Road get to see the dry lake with sailing stones, which create "racetrack" imprints in the sand. It is not possible to drive on the lakebed, but you can drive near enough to it to walk around the lake. Visitors should never walk on the lake when it is wet. The Racetrack is located in the north western side of the park.

For much of the year the Racetrack is dry with no vegetation. During the dry times it has a hexagonal surface with mud cracks 3 to 4 inches apart. In the rainy season the mud can create saucer like depressions. Sailing Stones are a phenomenon found in the Racetrack, and almost nowhere else in the world. Stones slowly move across the surface of the lakebed. No human or animal interferes with this. This happens about once every two years, but no one has been lucky enough to capture the actual slide. The Racetrack is accessed by Grapevine Junction near Scotty's Castle. There is a bench at the lake for visitors to sit at.