Whether you’re a first-timer or a Hammertown veteran, surviving—and thriving—at King of the Hammers requires a game plan. The world’s gnarliest off-road race meets a week-long desert festival in the middle of nowhere… with tens of thousands of people. You’re going to want to come prepared.

 Know Where You’re Going

King of the Hammers takes place in the Johnson Valley OHV area, with Hammertown built on Means Dry Lakebed. The only way in is off Highway 247 at Boone Road. Do not try to enter from the north or through Camp Rock—you’ll either get lost or cross the active racecourse and military base. GPS doesn’t always work out here, so trust the maps we provide and signage on-site.

 Getting Around the Lakebed

This isn’t a music festival—there are no golf carts or shuttle buses. Bring a capable 4×4 or UTV, and know that dust, rocks, and zero cell service are the norm. Stay on designated roads when spectating. Never drive on or across the racecourse unless instructed by a race official.

Quick Tip: “Dust Means Danger” – if you see dust, slow down and assume a vehicle is coming.

 Pack Like a Desert Local

Forget “festival packing.” This is extreme desert off-roading.

• Must-haves: race radio, flashlight, GPS or mapping app, headlamp, plenty of drinking water, food, shade, recovery gear, fire extinguisher, and layered clothing.
• Bonus survival gear: ear protection (race rigs are LOUD), extra fuel, and a printed spectator map (you could  lose service).

Pro tip: Hammertown gets hot by day and freezing at night. Dress in layers like you’re in the mountains.

 Safety Is Not a Suggestion

Respect the Hammers is more than a hashtag—it’s a culture.

• Stay 150 feet away from the racecourse at all times.
• Never stand on the outside of a turn or downhill from an obstacle.
• Don’t stack or remove rocks from the course.
• Don’t be that guy: No fireworks, no high-speed driving through camp, and no tailgating… unless you’re racing.

Helmets are the law in all UTVs—driver and passengers, even at low speeds.

What to Expect in Hammertown

Vendors. Autograph signings. Night racing.Music. Food trucks. fire pits. The vibe is high energy but respectful. Stop by the KOH 20th Anniversary C Celebration  Wednesday night the near team Yukon Gear and Axle and the main firepit for giveaways, live music, and the best driver meet-and-greet of the week.

 Leave It Better

This land doesn’t belong to us—it belongs to all of us. Take your trash, don’t dig trenches, and respect closures. We’re here because BLM lets us be. Let’s not screw it up.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR ATTEND PAGE WITH ALL OF RULES AND FAQ’s 

The post Spectator Survival Guide: How to Do KOH Like a Pro appeared first on King of the Hammers.

Every year, before the roar of engines and the cheers of tens of thousands echo across Means Dry Lakebed, a small, dedicated team disappears into the desert with GPS, grinders, and a mission: carve out the world’s gnarliest off-road racecourse — from scratch.

Welcome to the real gauntlet. Welcome behind the boulders.

Course Building: Part Engineering, Part Art Form

Unlike a permanent racetrack, the King of the Hammers course is entirely rebuilt each year. Starting months in advance, our Race Ops and Trail Team leads begin scouting the best — or most punishing — combinations of desert whoops, high-speed lakebeds, and legendary rock trails like Backdoor, Chocolate Thunder, and Outer Limits.

Each section is chosen with intent. Some push suspensions to the limit. Others test navigation skills. And the rocks? They test your will to finish.

GPS and Gut Instincts

The first phase is digital. The team overlays satellite imagery, previous courses, and vehicle data to draft multiple route variations. But once boots are on the ground, it becomes a different beast.

“GPS will get you close,” says one course builder. “But you don’t feel a trail until you’re walking it — looking at erosion, trail scars, choke points. You have to think like a racer, a fan, and a safety officer all at once.”

Moving Rocks Is Part of the Job Description

This isn’t a course that gets cleared with bulldozers. In the Hammers, some sections require hours of work just to be barely passable. That’s the point.

From winching refrigerator-sized boulders, to hand-marking danger zones, building the racecourse is as grueling as the race itself.

Evolution Every Year

Because of BLM permitting and conservation efforts, no two KOH races are identical. The course evolves to preserve land, keep racers on their toes, and keep fans coming back. Spectator zones shift. Checkpoints change. Pit strategy resets. And with each new line through the rocks, legends are born.

Respect the Rocks, Respect the Hammers

It’s easy to take the terrain for granted when you’re watching from Hammertown with a cold one. But every mile of this race was bled for. Built by hand. Planned with safety in mind.

So whether you’re racing, spectating, or exploring, remember: this place isn’t a playground. It’s a proving ground. Stay off the marked course during race week. Stay 150 feet back. And keep the terrain as gnarly as we found it.

The post Behind the Boulders: Building the King of the Hammers Racecourse appeared first on King of the Hammers.