Willow Springs International Raceway
Location
Rosamond, California, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
Willow Springs International Raceway - Rosamond, California, USA
Historic high-speed circuit in the Mojave Desert - famous for its unchanged nine-turn layout, exposed hills and extremely fast sweeping corners
When was the track built?
Willow Springs was created by a group of Southern California motorsport enthusiasts during the early 1950s. Racing driver Ken Miles was among those who helped shape the layout, which follows the natural slopes of the Mojave Desert.
The circuit opened in 1953 and quickly earned the nickname “The Fastest Road in the West”. Bill Huth purchased the venue in 1962 and later expanded the property with additional circuits and training areas.
New owners acquired Willow Springs in 2025. Their first major work included resurfacing and safety improvements at the Streets of Willow and the kart circuit, while the historic Big Willow layout remained unchanged.
When was its first race?
The inaugural event was held on 23 November 1953. The permanent circuit gave West Coast competitors an alternative to temporary races on public roads and airport runways.
NASCAR arrived during the 1950s, while later decades brought sports cars, Can-Am, Trans-Am, motorcycles, club racing and professional testing.
What's the circuit like?
- Extremely fast: Powerful cars and motorcycles can exceed 160 mph on the front straight.
- Exposed desert setting: Wind, heat and dust can change conditions during the same day.
- Major elevation changes: The Omega section climbs and descends while changing direction, making the correct line difficult to judge.
- High-speed final sector: Turns 8 and 9 demand confidence because competitors carry substantial speed onto the main straight.
Big Willow has only nine corners, but that does not make it easy. Most mistakes happen at high speed, and drivers must remain smooth because sudden steering or braking can unsettle the vehicle.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Indy car testing: 1:06.050 - Michael Andretti, 1987.
- Can-Am race lap: 1:15.900 - Al Lamb, Frissbee GR2, 1987.
- Production-car benchmark: 1:19.73 - Joel Miller, Czinger 21C, 2025.
- Trans-Am race lap: 1:20.839 - Greg Pickett, Ford Mustang, 2017.
Testing, production-car demonstrations and official racing use different rules. Their lap times should therefore be treated as separate benchmarks.
What other tracks are here?
The complex contains seven different racing facilities. The best known alternatives are the technical Streets of Willow and the one-mile Horse Thief Mile, which uses tight corners and steep gradients to imitate a mountain road.
Other areas include a kart circuit, paved and dirt ovals, a skid pad and training spaces. This allows several types of motorsport to take place across the property.
Why is it famous?
Willow Springs has appeared in motorsport films, television programmes, advertisements and racing games. Its proximity to Los Angeles also made it a popular testing location for manufacturers and professional teams.
The circuit remains active under its new ownership, with both public and private events forming part of its future plans.
Why go?
Big Willow provides a rare chance to experience a historic circuit that has not been slowed by major layout changes. Its open landscape makes the speed and elevation easier to appreciate than at many enclosed venues.
Facilities include garages, race fuel, food services and camping. Spectator tickets normally include access to the pit area, allowing visitors to see the vehicles and teams more closely.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1: Watch competitors brake after the front straight and commit to a fast left-hand corner.
- The Omega: The climbing and descending Turns 3 and 4 clearly show the circuit's elevation changes.
- Turn 9 and the main straight: See drivers balance speed through the final bend before accelerating past the pits.
- Pit and paddock area: Best for viewing the cars, motorcycles and preparation work between sessions.
The desert can be hot, cold and very windy within the same weekend. Spectator areas and paddock access vary between events, so check the organiser's information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Willow Springs International Raceway (Rosamond, California)
Willow Springs International Raceway is in California's high desert near Rosamond, north of Los Angeles. Driving or hiring a car is by far the easiest way to arrive, although train and bus connections can get you as far as Lancaster or Rosamond.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Los Angeles: take CA-14 north through the Antelope Valley towards Rosamond. Leave at Rosamond Boulevard and travel west for approximately 6 miles to the circuit.
- From Lancaster: head north towards Rosamond, then turn west onto Rosamond Boulevard for the final approach.
- Navigation: use 3500 75th Street West, Rosamond, CA 93560.
- Parking: visitors should use designated General Parking areas. Competitors should follow their organiser's paddock and vehicle-access instructions.
Tip: Allow extra time for large events. Rosamond Boulevard is the main approach to the circuit, so traffic can build near the entrance when many visitors arrive together.
Train & bus
- Los Angeles → Lancaster: Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line connects Los Angeles Union Station with Lancaster.
- Lancaster → Rosamond: Kern Transit Route 250 links Lancaster with Rosamond, Mojave and California City and currently operates Monday-Saturday.
- Rosamond → circuit: public buses do not continue the 6 miles west to Willow Springs, so arrange a taxi, rideshare or pickup for the final journey.
- Race weekends: check both Metrolink and Kern Transit before travelling, as weekend services are less frequent and occasional engineering closures can affect trains.
For most visitors, public transport is better for reaching the Antelope Valley than for reaching the circuit itself.
Airport transfers
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): a convenient airport for the northern Los Angeles area and usually simpler for reaching the Antelope Valley than travelling through central Los Angeles.
- Rental car: strongly recommended. Hollywood Burbank Airport has a consolidated rental-car facility with several major companies.
- Los Angeles International (LAX): useful if you need a larger choice of domestic or international flights, but allow considerably more time for Los Angeles traffic.
- Without a car: travel towards the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line and continue to Lancaster, then arrange the final road connection.
Camping & facilities
- Camping: Willow Springs offers RV and camping facilities, including some RV hookups. Check availability and rates before arriving.
- Parking: some general-admission events include parking and camping, but ticket conditions can vary between organisers.
- Food: the Willow Springs Diner provides meal service during most circuit events.
- Fuel: an on-site fuel centre sells premium road fuel as well as 101- and 110-octane race fuel.
Where to stay
- Rosamond: the closest community and convenient for a short journey to the circuit.
- Lancaster: offers a larger selection of hotels, restaurants and shops and is also served by Metrolink.
- Camping: staying at the circuit can be especially convenient for early track sessions or multi-day events.
Accessibility
- Travelling by car: this is generally the easiest option for visitors who need to minimise walking or transport changes.
- Before travelling: contact Willow Springs or your event organiser to confirm accessible parking, entrances and spectator arrangements.
- Desert conditions: temperatures, sun and wind can be significant, so plan accordingly if you will spend long periods outdoors.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take CA-14 to Rosamond Boulevard, then travel west for about 6 miles to the circuit.
- Flying? Hollywood Burbank Airport is a convenient choice; hire a car for the onward journey.
- Without a car? Take Metrolink to Lancaster and Kern Transit towards Rosamond, but arrange transport for the final section.
Check Willow Springs and your event organiser shortly before travelling, as ticket conditions, parking, camping and entrance arrangements can vary between events.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Willow Springs International Raceway (Rosamond, California)
Whether you’re here for car racing, motorcycle action, testing or a track day, Willow Springs puts you in California’s Mojave Desert - with aerospace history, desert trails, seasonal wildflowers and dramatic rock landscapes all within reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Joe Davies Heritage Airpark: See historic aircraft displayed beside Palmdale's famous aerospace facilities. It is particularly good for motorsport families interested in engineering and aviation.
- DryTown Water Park: A useful summer option in Palmdale with pools and waterslides when the Mojave Desert heat becomes too much.
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum: Discover Native American cultures of California, the Great Basin and Southwest inside an unusual historic building surrounded by desert scenery.
- Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: In good spring seasons, the rolling hills can turn orange with California poppies and other wildflowers.
Wildflower displays depend heavily on winter rainfall, so never plan a trip expecting a major bloom without checking current conditions.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Lancaster Museum of Art and History: Commonly called MOAH, this free museum explores art, history and culture from the Antelope Valley and wider Southern California.
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum: More than 4,000 objects help explain Native American traditions, art and everyday life across the region.
- Joe Davies Heritage Airpark: A fitting stop in an area closely linked with experimental aircraft, military aviation and America's aerospace industry.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Rosamond: The simplest choice when you want a casual meal close to the track without adding much driving to your evening.
- The BLVD in Lancaster: Head into central Lancaster for restaurants, cafés and evening events in a compact pedestrian-friendly district.
- Tehachapi: If you are exploring north of the circuit, the mountain town has cafés, restaurants, breweries and local wineries.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Prime Desert Woodland Preserve: Explore more than 120 acres of protected Mojave Desert habitat with almost four miles of trails among Joshua trees and junipers.
- Poppy Reserve: Outside peak flower season, the reserve still provides open desert walking and broad views across the Antelope Valley.
Desert walks are best tackled earlier in the day during warm weather. Carry more water than you think you will need.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Red Rock Canyon State Park: Explore colourful desert cliffs, unusual rock formations and hiking routes in one of the most dramatic landscapes north of the circuit.
- Tehachapi: Escape the desert floor for cooler mountain scenery, museums and the famous Tehachapi Loop, where long freight trains spiral around themselves while climbing the pass.
- Vasquez Rocks: Walk among huge tilted sandstone formations that have appeared in countless films and television productions.
- Los Angeles: The city is realistic as a full-day extension, but traffic can make journey times highly unpredictable, so avoid squeezing it around a busy track schedule.
Good to know when visiting Willow Springs
- Check which circuit you need: Willow Springs is a large complex containing Big Willow, Streets of Willow, Horse Thief Mile, karting and other motorsport areas.
- The venue is being upgraded: New owners acquired Willow Springs in 2025 and are renovating tracks and facilities while continuing both public and private events.
- Facilities are available on site: The venue lists fuel, garages, racing services, food facilities and RV or camping options, although availability can depend on the event.
- Prepare for desert conditions: Strong sun, dry air, wind and large temperature changes are normal. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and layers for early mornings or evenings.
Circuit layouts, renovation work, event access, camping, museum hours and desert conditions can change - check live information before travelling.