Racetrack Playa – Death Valley California – US

Racetrack Playa or The Racetrack is aptly named. It is a scenic dry lake that features sailing stones that have a linear racetrack like imprints. Badwater Basin, in Death Valley National Park, is the lowest place in North America and one of the lowest places in the world at 282 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea, between Israel and Jordan, is the lowest at 1371 feet below sea level.

Why should you visit Racetrack Playa: No it isn’t an actual man made racetrack but it sure looks like one. The Racetrack is a marvel of nature at its best and most astounding. It is 3608 feet above sea level and 2.8 miles long. One of the most puzzling factors is that it is exceptionally flat and level. In fact the northern end of the track is only about 1.5 inches higher than the southern end.

What is it shaped like? The Racetrack is often compared to Ontario Lacus; a shallow hydrocarbon lake on Titan, Saturn’s moon.

Perhaps the most amazing feature of The Racetrack is the sailing stones. This is a geological phenomenon in which slabs of syenite and dolomite leave visible tracks as they slide across the flat surface of Playa seemingly by themselves. Geologists and curious park visitors have been studying the stones in motion since the 1900s. However, no one has actually been able to witness the stones move by themselves. The only sign that they have are the trail marks that they leave behind. The existence of the “racing” or sailing stones is also why the area has been named The Racetrack.

Best Things to Do in Racetrack Playa: Of course, marveling at the sailing stones isn’t the only attraction available at Death Valley. Visit the Death Valley National Park. Areas such as the Furnace Creek, Zabriski Point and Dante’s view are just as famous as Racetrack Playa. It is located right in Scotty’s racetrack. The area also includes Death Valley Ranch which is also known as Scotty’s castle. This Spanish styled home appears like a mirage in Grapevine Canyon. Make sure that you take advantage of the Living History or Underground Mystery tour of the ranch.

Other sights worth seeing include the ghost town, bighorn sheep and Indian petro glyphs. Visit the Titus canyon and see the multicolored volcanic deposits in all their glory.  Hike to your heart’s content at the Badwater Salt Flats or a two mile round trip hike through the Golden Canyon Trail. You can also take advantage of the hiking trail at Dante’s View.  

Want to make a trip to Death Valley a road trip? Choose the Badwater Road. This is the most popular drive in the National Park. Tee off at the Devil’s golf course and try your skills at the big salt pan that is littered with jagged salt crystals.

Racetrack Playa Neighborhoods & Towns : Death Valley is located near Las Vegas Nevada. The whole trip from Las Vegas is 120 miles and should take no more than two hours. Other towns, cities and suburbs that are located within 121 miles of the place include Spring Valley, Winchester, Boulder City, Paradise, and California to name a few.

Death Valley facts:

• The salt pan on the floor of Death Valley covers more than 200 square miles. It is 40 miles long and more than 5 miles wide.
• Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth. In July 1913, five consecutive days of 129°F or above were recorded in Death Valley. On July 10, 1913 a reading of 134 degrees Fahrenheit was taken, the world record hottest air temperature.
• Rainfall in Death Valley averages less than 2 inches a year. There have been some years of no recorded rainfall at all!
•  In 1917, Death Valley recorded 52 days with temperatures over 120 degrees and 43 consecutive days over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The original long hot summer.
• The average evaporation rate in the bottom of Death Valley is 150 inches a year. Since the average rainfall is less than 2 inches … the two don’t quite meet.
• Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park was named by Dr. Samuel George in 1861. After climbing the 11,049 foot peak, Dr. George said that he could see so far that it reminded him of looking through a telescope.

Death Valley Outdoor Activities :

• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Backcountry Camping
• Backcountry Roads
• Biking & Mountain Biking
• Birdwatching

Death Valley interesting places to visit :

Death Valley interesting sights to see:

• Best Hotels
• Racetrack Playa Area Map
• Racetrack Playa Photos

    

Racetrack Playa