[1] Rocks weighing up to 320 kg travel across Racetrack Playa in northern Death Valley National Park, California, leaving tracks.

This phenomenon, which has been documented since 1948, is not unique and has been observed in various playas in southern California, the Tunisian Sahara, and South Africa.

The highest point surrounding the Racetrack is the 5,678-foot (1,731 m) high Ubehebe Peak, rising 1,964 feet (599 m) above the lakebed 0.85 miles (1.37 km) to the west.

[citation needed] The playa is in the small Racetrack Valley endorheic basin between the Cottonwood Mountains on the east and Nelson Range to the west.

During periods of heavy rain, water washes down from the surrounding mountains[4] draining into the playa, forming a shallow, short-lived endorheic lake.

Under the hot desert sun, the thin veneer of water quickly evaporates leaving behind a surface layer of soft slick mud.

[citation needed] The shape of the shallow hydrocarbon lake Ontario Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan has been compared to that of Racetrack Playa.

[6] A few days after a precipitation event, small mud curls, otherwise known as "corn flakes" form on the playa surface.

During the bimodal rainy season (summer and especially winter) a shallow cover of water deposits a thin layer of fine mud on and between the polygons of Racetrack.

[1] Racetrack Playa's distinctive traits, including its low precipitation, large clay surface, and indications of ice action along the shore, add to its remarkable natural landscape.

[1] Detailed plots were made by nailing numbered tabs of tracing fabric to the clay along specific paths.

[1] Rock mobility was associated with clear days following sub-freezing nights, which were caused by light breezes and the morning sun breaking up floating ice.

During April or May 1972 or 1973, rocks up to 0.25 m in length were spotted moving purely owing to high winds on the wet playa surface.

[9] The 2017 documentary Principles of Curiosity explores as its central theme the story of how the sailing stones' movement had been a mystery which came to be solved using the scientific method and critical thinking.

The larger landmark is The Grandstand, a 73-foot (22 m) high dark quartz monzonite outcrop, rising in dramatic contrast from the bright white surface of the Racetrack.

The 28 mile rough gravel road heading south-west from Ubehebe Crater is passable with non-4WD vehicles but requires high ground clearance.

A bench here, placed by the Mano Seca Group, has scenic views of The Racetrack, The Grandstand, and mountain scenery.

Lippincott Pass and the roads in Saline Valley are extremely rough and negotiable for high clearance 4WD vehicles with all-terrain tires only.

Summer temperatures can surpass 120 °F (49 °C) in certain spots, large areas are without cellphone reception, roads are treacherous and the closest gas station is in Panamint Springs.