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Moab 4-Wheeling
Moab is a must visit destination for those who love scenic adventures.
The Moab area’s beauty, history, and, hundreds of miles of old mining roads and 4-wheel drive trails make it a place that will never be forgotten. Visitors can bring their own vehicle, rent a jeep, or take a tour with one of Moab’s experienced & permitted guides. Always remember that travel is limited to designated motorized routes only. Off-road travel is illegal.
Moab has a full range of backcountry trails, from easy 2-wheel drive backcountry scenic drives to the ultimate in challenging 4-wheel drive trails, providing an opportunity for all to experience the beauty and solitude of a backcountry adventure. Always obtain the most up-to-date information prior to departing for a trip, and be prepared. Remember, turning back is usually an option as well. Please choose your trail wisely, with honest appraisal of your equipment and experience in this terrain. Once you arrive in Moab, detailed 4-wheel drive maps and trail guides are available at the Moab Information Center (MIC), on the corner of Main & Center Streets. The MIC staff is always happy to assist you with your plans and provide information about current trail conditions.
The following trails were selected because they are close to Moab and short enough for a partial-day trip. Among the trails is a variety of scenery and a range of challenge to the off-highway abilities of vehicle and driver.
Difficulty
4-wheel driving difficulty is hard to describe objectively. Opinions vary, and an individual’s judgment may change considerably as they gain experience. The easiest of these trails is suitable for stock high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. The most difficult trails are barely passable to first-rate off-road equipment. The other trails are well within the capabilities of stock four-wheel-drive trucks and utility vehicles.
Trail Marking
The primitive nature of 4-wheel drive trails makes them hard to mark and keep marked. On some, routes are obscure, while on others, the roads are clear enough but the many unnamed junctions are confusing. Storms can alter roads and remove tracks, while vandals can spoil the markings. Nevertheless, a sign has been placed to identify each trail a short way into the trail. After that, routes and junctions are marked in ways appropriate for the terrain, wooden posts may have a “trail” sign, slickrock may have painted symbols, and most areas will have cairns -small rock piles-to show the route. Topographic maps provide additional help and add to the enjoyment of off-road travel.
Map ID: 1
Round Trip from Moab: 54 miles
4-Wheel Drive Road: 43 miles
Minimum Time: 3-1/2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The route travels the Colorado River Canyon just below Moab, follows a spectacular part of Kane Springs Canyon, climbs the Kane Creek anticline to Hurrah Pass, and descends to benches above the Colorado River. The trail dead-ends at Chicken Corners about 400 feet above the river across from Dead Horse Point.
Trail Directions
From Main Street at Center Street in Moab, travel south on Main 6/10 mile, turn right on Kane Creek Boulevard, follow it through two sweeping curves past its junction with 500 West and continue into the river canyon. When the pavement ends near Kane Creek [0.0], continue on the good gravel road as it enters Kane Springs Canyon and follows the canyon meanders at various levels above the creek. Continue with the gravel road as it crosses the mouth of Hunter Canyon at a hiking trailhead [3.2].
Further along, the canyon broadens, and you can see Hurrah Pass on the right. The gravel road changes to dirt at the ford of Kane Creek [6.4]. Do not attempt to ford in high water; the water can be window-deep following storms or heavy spring melts. Beyond the ford, stay with the best-looking road as other trails leave to the left in the next half mile, and the road will bend toward the north and begin to ascend the cliffs below Anticline Overlook (note the safety fence on the cliff edge above). The summit of this climb is Hurrah Pass [10.0]. As the trail winds down the other side of the anticline, it shows more four-wheel-drive character.
The trail leaves the cliffs on a gentler slope and drops into a wash bottom. Continue straight (out of the wash) where a spur trail leaves to the right and follows the rough wash bottom [12.5]. Shortly after that, an optional route enters a small canyon to the left; the preferred route up the rocky slope to the right swings close to the river on a bench above it. Farther on, two trail junctions [14.4 and 14.6] leave to the left in view of a large side canyon and a mound of red rocks not far to the left of the trail. These trails go to the rock mound and its interesting catacomb caves. The main trail continues along the river benches, which are capped with fossil-bearing limestone, until it crosses a major wash [17.1]. (On the return trip, you will probably spot an unusual arch near the trail east of the wash crossing.) The trail you may see starting up this wash is the Lockhart Basin trail. You follow the main trail straight across the wash and follow along the benches as they wind higher above the water.
The point where the trail is pinched between rocks on the left and the abyss on the right [20.3] is “Chicken Corners” where Moab area guides were reputed to allow “chicken” passengers to walk, rather than ride, past the narrow, sloping section of trail. The trail continues along the broad bench until it narrows to an old horse trail [21.5]. You can’t go much farther, even on foot, because this is the start of a peninsula of land bounded by the gooseneck of the Colorado, the trademark of the spectacular view from Dead Horse Point. Return to Moab by the same route.
Map ID: 2
Round Trip from Moab: 48 miles
4-Wheel Drive Road: 14 miles
Minimum Time: 2-1/2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
The trail covers a region between US Highway 191 and SR 313, reaches some grand vistas, and accesses numerous other trails. The highlight is the spectacular twin arch, called Gemini Bridges, on the rim of an arm of Bull Canyon.
Trail Directions
From the center of Moab, travel north on US Highway 191 for 9.8 miles (you are still south of the SR 313 junction). Turn left to cross a cattle guard near an old ore car by the railroad tracks [0.0], cross the tracks, and turn left to follow the southerly dirt road paralleling the tracks. The main trail soon veers right toward the cliffs, and steadily climbs the cliff slope to Little Canyon, the gap in the cliff rim. Stay with the best maintained trail through upper Little Canyon (old mine trails leave left and right, and a strong spur trail leaves left into a side canyon). Turn right from the wash bottom area [4.8] to climb the steep dugway. The trail passes a gate and winds to higher levels, giving vistas in all directions. Stay with the main trail as spurs leave to the left, and fork right where the good left-hand trail leads to the lower levels of Bull Canyon [6.2] as it begins a sweeping bend to the right. This less-maintained trail is the older route; the graded road is not shown on many trail maps.
As the trail winds still higher, ignore two spur trails to the left and watch for the “Y”, junction that indicates that you are near Gemini Bridges. Keep left at the “Y” [7.4] and follow the markings; past visitors have left numerous unnecessary trails. As you approach the canyon, you will see the deep hole [7.8] that opens into the canyon wall leaving the twin spans. Return part way toward the “Y” junction, but take- the short-cut [8.0] to the left to join the main trail that was the right-hand fork of the “Y”. Turn left on this main trail [8.1], and turn right where a spur trail heads down to Crips Hole [9.0]. The trail joins the graded road that you were on earlier near a drill pad [9.7], and you travel the graded road westerly to paved SR 313 [13.8]. There, a right turn returns you to US Highway 191, while a left heads for Dead Horse Point State Park and the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.
Map ID: 3
Round Trip from Moab: 20 miles
4-Wheel Drive Road: 9.4 miles
Minimum Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Fins and Things is a one-way trail. It starts 1.9 miles from the Sand Flats Entrance Station (5 miles from downtown Moab), beside campsite ‘E-6’ in Echo Campground. For trailer parking, please park prior to this on the south side of Sand Flats Road 1.4 miles from Entrance Station. OHVs are permitted on the Sand Flats Road. The trail is marked with metal signs and white symbols painted on the slickrock surface. Due to hazardous terrain, it is recommended only for experienced drivers.
The first section between the start and Fox Campgrounds is not recommended for ATVs. ATV users should pick up the trail on the Sand Flats Road at the Diving Board Rock formation which is 3.7 miles from the Entrance Station. A fee is required to enter the Sand Flats Recreation Area.
The Red Rock 4-Wheelers is a non-profit club organized to bring together adventure loving individuals and families who share the common interest of active four-wheeling. Their objective is to encourage family recreation through safe and responsible operation of four-wheel-drive vehicles. They also seek to utilize public lands in a responsible manner as part of an effort to keep public land trails and roads available for multipurpose use. The club organizes one of Moab’s largest events, the annual Easter Jeep Safari, which consists of trail rides, mostly day long trips, departing from Moab throughout the 9 day-long event.
The club’s website contains a fantastic reference to most of the 4-wheel drive trails in the Moab area. Visit their website here: rr4w.com.
Need somewhere to to park your vehicle or trailer overnight? Although the city of Moab does not have any public long-term parking areas, these companies provide safe, secure storage.
E-Bike Guide to Moab
The Moab area offers thousands of miles of excellent riding for e-bikes. These miles are primarily regulated as motorized routes; however, due to the capabilities of e-bikes in sand and added power for steep climbs, e-bikes are capable of enjoying new terrain that mountain bikes don’t generally venture to.
These routes are just a few of the lesser known options that are great on an e-bike.
Equipment NOTE: The routes on this page have been tested on a Class 1 eMTB with 27.5” x 2.8” tires and a 504 WH battery.
All information courtesy of Moab Trail Mix.
Rules and regulations concerning e-bikes, current as of November 25, 2020.
Note: In the Moab/Grand County area, the classes of e-bikes are not a factor. These rules apply to all e-bikes.
e-bikes (Class 1 only) are allowed on trails open to regular bicycles.
If an escape from the crowds and scenic landscapes are what you’re looking for, this is the ride for you. You’ll be following along the top of a canyon with steep walls comprised of the Wingate sandstone formation. Many of Moab’s most scenic viewpoints are on this route.
From trailhead (TH), follow the 4X4 road north, parallel the highway into a wash, once in the wash the road turns left (west) and climbs out of the wash. Continue on this road west for 2.1 miles. At the T intersection turn left, and follow Flat Iron Mesa Rd. for 0.85 miles, turn right onto the Flat Iron Mesa 4×4 route signed with “FI” on signposts. From here, the trail makes a loop heading south, turning west, then heading north along the rim of Hatch Wash.
After 6.2 miles on the Flat Iron 4×4 route, you’ll intersect Flat Iron Mesa Rd. once again.
OPTION: Turning left, and continuing for 2.1 miles, northwest will take you to the end of Flat Iron Mesa Rd and a stunning overlook of the confluence of Kane Creek Canyon and Hatch Wash Canyon.
To return to the trailhead, turn right (southeast) and continue for 1.8 miles on Flat Iron Mesa Rd. to the first road you pedaled out on. Turn left (east) and follow the road back to the trailhead.
ADVANCED OPTION: Turn left after 1.6 miles for an added 2.25 miles on an advanced 4×4 road. After 2.25 miles, turn right (south) on the Gas Line Rd. and continue for 0.35 miles. Turn left (east) to return to the TH.
BEGINNER OPTION ROUTE: Start the route from the same Trailhead, but once to Flat Iron Mesa Road, turn right (north) and continue for 4.3 miles to the end of the road at Kane Creek Overlook. The return route is reversed.
From Center St. and Main St. in Moab, drive south on Highway 191 for 18 miles. Just after crossing over Mule Shoe Canyon, turn right and park at the entrance of the 4×4 road.
Note: This trailhead is not signed along HWY 191. If struggling to find TH, you can start the route on Flat Iron Mesa Rd at its intersection with HWY191
The Seven Mile Rim route takes you through the rolling slickrock canyons of Tusher Canyon, past the tall desert towers of Determination Towers, along and between Monitor and Merrimac buttes, climbs Seven Mile Rim to a stunning view looking out into Arches National Park and the La Sal Mountains, before descending past Uranium Arch and Courthouse Rock back to the Trailhead. Use caution as this area has many alternative roads. Carry proper equipment for navigation.
From trailhead (TH), ride west for 0.1 mile, turn left and follow signs labeled 7R from here. Continue 2 miles to intersection of Tusher Canyon Rd., turn left (south). Continue up the canyon for 1.1 miles. Turn left (east), following signs marked “7R” and “M&M”. After 1.2 miles you will leave Tusher Canyon, and see Determination Towers to your south, turn right at this intersection following the sign to “7R”. Traveling south, past the Determination Towers, continue for 1.45 miles. You’re now at a strange four way intersection near Wipeout Hill, and just west of the Merrimac Butte.
Take the second left that heads to the south side of the Merrimac Butte. Continue east around the southern base of the Merrimac Butte for 1 mile. Continue through the middle of the two buttes, heading northeast, for 0.5 mile. Turn right (east), and continue straight for 0.7 mile, this stretch will have a few roads intersecting your path, however, continue straight until the T intersection. At T, turn left (north), in approximately 1500 feet stay right and continue on this road east, for 1.9 miles. This road primarily climbs east then turns north near the top of Seven Mile Rim. After 1.9 miles, turn left (west), to descend 0.3 mile to Uranium Arch. Once past the arch, continue north on roads marked “M&M” or “HWY 191” for 3.1 miles. Your final slickrock descent will take you past the east side of Courthouse Rock before intersecting the Cotter Mine Road. Turn left (northwest), on Cotter Mine Rd and continue for 1.5 miles to the Trailhead. There are many alternative roads in this last 3 mile section. By continuing north you will make your way to the Cotter Mine Road.
From Center St. and Main St. in Moab, drive north on Highway 191 for 16 miles. Turn left onto Mill Canyon Rd. and proceed for 0.6 miles to the Mill Canyon, Tusher Canyon Trailhead.
Note: Tusher Canyon (west side of loop), during dry periods of the year can be difficult on an ebike with narrower tires due to sand. If on an ebike with tires narrower than 2.5”, riding this route in the opposite direction is advised.
From trailhead (TH), ride up the Poison Spider Mesa 4×4 road for 5.3 mi. This first section of the route will be retraced upon your return. Turn right at the Golden Spike/Poison Spider Mesa intersections. Proceed on Poison Spider Mesa for 2.8 miles to the top of the Portal Viewpoint.
Note: Portal Singletrack and Goldbar Rim Singletrack are non-motorized routes not open to e-bikes.
Heading northwest continue on the Portal Connector Road for 0.7 miles downhill toward the intersection of Golden Spike and Where Eagles Dare (WED). Follow route for WED for 0.4 miles (west), at the first intersection turn left (south), and continue for 0.25 miles.
OPTION: At this intersection turning right (west), will take you to the viewpoint of Dragonfly Canyon and Corona Arch.
To continue the route turn left (east), and continue on WED for 1 mile to the southern intersection of WED and Golden Spike. Turn right (south), on Golden Spike and continue for 1.6 miles back to the Poison Spider/Golden Spike intersection. This is the section of road you came out on. Continue straight, south, for 5.3 miles back to the Poison Spider Trailhead.
From Center St. and Main St. in Moab, drive north on Highway 191 for 4.1 miles, turn left on Potash Rd. Highway 279. Proceed for 5.9 miles, turn right onto Poison Spider Mesa Road., proceed up the hill and park at the trailhead.
CAUTION: POISON SPIDER MESA HAS MANY ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AND DEAD END ROADS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU CARRY A MAP AND GPS UNIT WHILE EXPLORING THIS AREA. POISON SPIDER MESA IS CLIFFED OUT ON ALL SIDES AND THE JEEP ROAD IS THE ONLY WAY ON AND OFF THE MESA FOR EBIKES.
With the most iconic Moab views, and fun purpose built singletrack this is a must do. Entry fee is required, map included upon entry of park.
Visitor Center Phone: 435-259-2614
Website: stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
One of the most unique experiences you will ever have on two wheels. Other great options within Sand Flats include Hells Revenge and Fins and Things. Fee required at booth, map included upon entry.
Phone: 435-259-2444
Website:
sandflats.org
Intermediate-advanced singletrack
20+ miles – Many loop options
Located on Sovereign Utah State Lands 12 miles north of Moab. These trails traverse fun terrain with many loop options making it easy to ride as long as you like.
Trail Description: mtbproject.com/trail/231528/sovereign
"Electric assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with an electric motor that:
ON FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS in the Moab area, BLM and Forest Service, e-bikes are allowed on all open motorized roads and motorized trails. E-bikes are NOT allowed on designated non-motorized mountain bike trails.
Policy updates issued by the BLM on October 22, 2019 state that e-bike use is prohibited on existing designated non-motorized bicycle trails unless authorized by the local BLM District Manager. The BLM Moab Field Office is currently exploring options to expand e-biking recreation opportunities in the area. This process involves environmental assessments and public comment periods to investigate what impacts e-bikes may have on other user groups, wildlife, and trail conditions. Please respect the current regulations as this process takes place.
ON UTAH STATE PUBLIC LANDS, SITLA, Sovereign, and Utah State Parks, e-bikes are classified as non-motorized and are categorized by three classes.
We all share our right to enjoy public lands. Please use them respectfully and within the laws that govern them.
Moab trails feature steep sandstone and stretches of sand that can drain your battery faster than riding on hard-packed trails. Plan your mileage with this in mind. Keep a close eye on your battery consumption, and adjust your ride and power settings accordingly.
Know your route and bring accurate maps. The most accurate and frequently updated maps for the Moab area are the Latitude 40, Moab East and Moab West maps, and National Geographic North and South Moab maps. These maps have the most accurate road and trail info and also highlight popular OHV routes that are great for e-bikes. Do not rely solely on the information on this page for navigation.
Always plan for adverse, changing conditions. Flash floods can affect most the trails in the area leaving you on the wrong side of a creek for minutes or hours.
Desert weather can be unpredictable. Fast moving thunder and lightning storms, along with heavy rains and even unexpected snow showers can hit with little notice.
High daily temperatures in summer months (June-August) are consistently over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are common in summer months. To help avoid this life threatening issue, ride in the early morning or in the evening and rest during the hottest part of the day.
E-bikes have more power than traditional mountain bikes, are lighter than motorcycles and seem capable of going just about anywhere. It is the rider’s responsibility to respect the desert and the laws of our public lands to preserve our right to enjoy them into the future. Limiting your impact reduces the amount of maintenance required to keep trails open. Stay precisely on the designated routes and don’t widen or ride off the trail for any reason. Respect trail signage, info kiosks, and other amenities found at trailheads.
Decomposition in the desert is slow. Please pack out all trash, including garbage, food waste, human waste and toilet paper. Trash does not disappear, other humans must remove it!
All information courtesy of Moab Trail Mix.
