has anyone been to racetrack lately ?

Question

hi everyone. we (my brother and myself) are looking at an upcoming trip around november. One of the top things we wanted to see, is the racetrack. I would be interested in hearing about what it is like now. What have the rains done to the area? are the tracks visible ? is it worth a trip? and does the jeep rental place still offer tours ? thanks in advance....

Answer

Great question — yes, people do still go to the Racetrack Playa, but it’s a remote and delicate area, so a few “real talk” things to know. Here’s an up-to-date breakdown based on recent sources, plus what to watch for and how tours work.

What’s it like now?

The road to the Racetrack (Racetrack Valley Road) has been reopened. According to NPS, you still need a high-clearance 4×4 (or at least a rugged, high-clearance vehicle) to handle the rough, washboard gravel.
The playa itself is very fragile. The National Park Service repeatedly warns visitors: don’t drive off the established roads, do not walk on the playa if it’s wet, and avoid disturbing the rocks.
Regarding the “sailing stones” — yes, the tracks are still visible. These tracks come from rare combinations of rain, mud, freezing nights, and wind, which allow rocks to slide.
There have been issues in the past with vandalism and illegal driving — tire tracks and footprints on the playa surface have damaged parts of it. These scars can persist for a long time.

Is it worth the trip?

If you're okay with a rugged, remote desert adventure and want to experience something very unique and otherworldly, then yes — it’s absolutely worth it.
If your main interest is the moving rocks, understand that you may not *see them moving* (nobody usually does), but you’ll very likely see their tracks.
Be prepared: no cell phone service, remote roads, and limited facilities.

What about Jeep or guided tours?

Yes — Farabee Jeep Rentals offers a Racetrack Tour. Their tour is roughly 8 hours, with ~2.5–3 hours of driving each direction over very rough roads, plus about 1 hour for exploring the playa and nearby features.
Using a guided tour is highly recommended if you’re not confident driving the rough road yourself — guides know where to go, how to avoid soft spots, and where the best rock trails are.

Recent Effects of Rain?

The playa surface is very sensitive to rain. When wet, the mud crust can become slippery and fragile, and footprints or tire tracks can leave lasting damage.
That said, water is also what enables the rock-tracking phenomenon: after rain, you can get a thin slick layer that can support ice in winter nights, which helps the rocks move.

Summary & Tips:

Yes, the Racetrack is still “a thing” — people are visiting, and the rock trails remain.
It’s rugged, remote, and not for a casual drive. A 4×4 or Jeep (or guided tour) is strongly recommended.
Bring plenty of water, a spare tire, navigation (offline map or GPS), and respect the fragile playa surface.
If seeing the tracks is your goal, plan your trip based on recent weather (rain helps) — check with the park rangers for road and playa conditions before going.

Overall: Yes, I think it's still absolutely *worth it* if you’re up for the adventure. For your November trip, if the playa has dried out by then and you take a tour, you’ll likely get a very rewarding experience.

has anyone been to racetrack lately ?

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