Homestake Dry Camp

Homestake Dry Camp - A primative campsite at Racetrack Valley
Homestake Dry Camp – A primative campsite at Racetrack Valley

The Homestake Dry camp is a primitive campground located in Racetrack valley inside Death Valley National Park.  It contains four very large and reasonably flat campsites which could accommodate multiple vehicles for larger groups.

The mine site as no amenities beyond a single chemical toilet at the North end of the location and a few wide spots in the road denote the camp sites. The toilet is in reasonable condition, but it does have some rodent damage and the odd spider web.  

There are fire rings, but no fires or wood gather is not allowed. There is no trash bins, no water, no tables.

The setting sun and mountains offer some great view and shadows.
The setting sun and mountains offer some great view and shadows.

Homestake Dry Camp is however the only camping near the Racetrack playa and is arguably some of the most remote camping in the national park.  The campground was very clean during out last visit and the night sky on a moonless night was second to none.

This is certainly well worth a stop over if you are so inclined and the campground offers a great point to explore the Lippincott Mine Road, the Lippincott Mine, Ubehebe Lead mine and of coarse the racetrack.

The Homestake primitive campground offers from amazing dark skies.
The Homestake primitive campground offers from amazing dark skies.

On our trip, we were offered the best of remote primitive camping. While we stayed dry, the night boomed with thunder from Saline Valley. The moonless night sky gave us an opportunity to see the Milky Way. There was a constant breeze which did not offer us a sound sleep, however, we will return which is the best endorsement one can provide.

Directions

The campground is located at the southern end of the Race Track Valley Road.

Campground Summary

Camp Ground NameHomestake Dry Camp
Latitude, Longitude36.6372892,-117.5745213
Sites4
Elevation3780
AmenitiesNo Water, No Fires, No tables

Homestake Dry Camp Trail Map

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.