Moab is the offroading capital of the world and it’s not really close. The combination of slickrock, red sandstone, canyons, and desert landscapes creates terrain you literally can’t find anywhere else on the planet.
But Moab has dozens of trails, and if you only have a weekend (or a week), you need to know which ones are worth your time — and which ones will eat your rig if you’re not ready.
Here are 12 trails we keep coming back to, organized by difficulty.
Beginner Trails (Stock-Friendly)
1. Gemini Bridges
Difficulty: 1/5 | Distance: 14 miles | Time: 2-3 hours
The best “first trail in Moab” experience. A well-maintained dirt road leads to two massive natural rock bridges with jaw-dropping canyon views. Any vehicle with decent clearance can run this.
Pro tip: Go early morning for the best light on the bridges. The parking area at the viewpoint gets packed by 10 AM.
2. Chicken Corners
Difficulty: 1.5/5 | Distance: 26 miles round trip | Time: 3-4 hours
A scenic ledge road along the Colorado River canyon rim. The trail itself is easy, but the exposure is real — you’re driving along a cliff edge with a 1,000-foot drop. The views are worth the pucker factor.
3. Shafer Trail
Difficulty: 2/5 | Distance: 18 miles | Time: 2-3 hours
Switchbacks descending from Island in the Sky (Canyonlands) down to the White Rim Road. The road is wide enough but the switchbacks are steep and exposed. Most stock 4WD vehicles handle it fine.
Intermediate Trails
4. Fins & Things
Difficulty: 3/5 | Distance: 10 miles | Time: 3-4 hours
Your introduction to Moab slickrock driving. You’ll drive up and over sandstone fins that feel steeper than they are. The traction on dry slickrock is incredible — your tires grip better than pavement. A few ledges require good clearance but most stock 4x4s with skid plates can run it.
5. Hell’s Revenge
Difficulty: 3.5/5 | Distance: 6.5 miles | Time: 3-5 hours
The famous one. Steep slickrock climbs, the Hot Tubs (pools of water in the rock), and the Escalator — a near-vertical climb that’s steeper than it looks. Incredibly fun in a capable vehicle. A few bypasses exist for the hardest obstacles.
Warning: Do not run this trail when wet. Slickrock becomes ice when it rains.
6. Top of the World
Difficulty: 3/5 | Distance: 18 miles round trip | Time: 4-5 hours
A long climb to a cliff edge overlooking the entire Moab valley, the La Sal Mountains, and the Colorado River. The trail has some rocky sections but the payoff at the top is one of the best viewpoints in Utah.
7. Elephant Hill
Difficulty: 3.5/5 | Distance: 11 miles | Time: 4-6 hours
Located in the Needles District of Canyonlands. Tight switchbacks, narrow slots between rock walls, and a few steep climbs. This trail requires precision driving — it’s not hard in terms of traction, but the tight turns test your vehicle’s turning radius.
Advanced Trails
8. Poison Spider Mesa
Difficulty: 4/5 | Distance: 9 miles | Time: 4-6 hours
This trail includes the famous “Wedgie” — a narrow crack between two rocks that you drive through sideways. Several steep ledges and climbs require lockers or serious articulation. Not for stock vehicles.
9. Moab Rim
Difficulty: 4/5 | Distance: 6 miles | Time: 3-4 hours
Starts right in town and climbs up a series of steep ledges to the rim above. The first obstacle is a 4-foot ledge within sight of the highway. This trail is a serious test of your rig and your driving.
10. Metal Masher
Difficulty: 4/5 | Distance: 8 miles | Time: 4-6 hours
Rocky, technical, and relentless. This trail beats on your vehicle for every mile. Expect constant rock crawling with few breaks. Skid plates are mandatory.
11. Pritchett Canyon
Difficulty: 5/5 | Distance: 12 miles | Time: 6-8 hours
One of the hardest trails in Moab. Includes a massive waterfall pour-off descent, tight canyon walls, and obstacles that separate the serious rigs from the pretenders. Don’t run this without a spotter, recovery gear, and real driving experience.
Planning Your Moab Trip
When to Go
- Best months: March-May and September-November
- Summer: 100°F+ makes slickrock dangerous (burns through shoes) and trails miserable
- Winter: Snow and ice make slickrock trails impassable
Where to Camp
- BLM land along Highway 128 — free dispersed camping along the Colorado River
- Willow Springs Road — free dispersed camping close to trails
- Sand Flats Recreation Area — $15/night, close to Hell’s Revenge and Fins & Things
What to Bring
At minimum: recovery strap, air compressor, 2+ gallons water per person per day, sun protection, and a full-size spare. Our Moab trail guide has GPS waypoints and detailed breakdowns for all 12 trails.
