Latitude: 36.6813°N Longitude: 117.5627°W 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: Death Valley Outdoor Activities : Death Valley interesting places to visit : Sight Time Mileage – round trip from Visitor Center Badwater 1 to 3 hours 41 mi / 66 km Devil’s Golf Course 1 to 3 hours 41 mi / 66 km Artist’s Drive 1 to 3 hours 41 mi / 66 km Golden Canyon 1 to 3 hours 41 mi / 66 km Zabriskie Point 1 to 3 hours 50 mi / 80 km 20 Mule Team Canyon 1 to 3 hours 50 mi / 80 km Dante’s View 1 to 3 hours 50 mi / 80 km Sand Dunes 1 to 3 hours 52 mi / 84 km Mosaic Canyon 1 to 3 hours 52 mi / 84 km Salt Creek 1 to 3 hours 52 mi / 84 km Scotty’s Castle 4 or more hours 118 mi / 190 km Ubeheb Crater 4 or more hours 118 mi / 190 km Titus Canyon Narrows 4 or more hours 118 mi / 190 km Wildrose Charcoal Kilns 4 or more hours 126 mi / 200 km Death Valley interesting sights to see: Sight Elevation Description Dante’s View 5,475 ft / 1,669 m Panamint Range The park’s Wildrose Campground 4,100 ft / 1,250 m Wildrose Charcoal Kilns 6,800 ft / 2,073 m Wildrose Peak 9,064 ft / 2,763 m Thorndike Campground 7,400 ft / 2,255 m Mahogany Flat Campground 8,133 ft / 2,479 m Telescope Peak 11,049 ft / 3,368 m Racetrack Playa Summary : Each criteria has 25% influence in the final Racetrack Playa review summary
High on a mountain ridge overlooking the sweltering salt flats of Badwater
highest mountainsThe crests are white and snow covered in the winter, but provide a forested refuge from summer heat
and Ranger Station
You must travel through narrow paved roads that wind through the peaks and canyons of Panamint Range
Further up the road from the campground. These beehive-shaped, stone structures were built in the 1870’s to produce fuel and carbon for the smelters of lead-silver mines
It can be climbed via a 4.2 miles / 6.5 km maintained trail, starting at the Charcoal Kilns
Beyond the Kilns the dirt road becomes rougher and steeper. Among the trees along this road is the campground
Continue on the road from Thorndike campground until it ends. Here you will find Mahogany
7.0 miles / 11 km maintained trail from Mahogany Flat Campground leads to the summit, which is the highest point in Death Valley National Park
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Racetrack Playa – Death Valley California – US
Location: The area is located right above Death Valley at the northwest particularly in Death Valley National Park in Inyo County California.
Address : Death Valley National Park, Death Valley Junction, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328