Fins & Things
Sand Flats Rec. Area
Length
9.5 Miles
Time
2-3 Hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Rating
Season
All Year
Fees
$5/vehicle (Sand Flats day pass)
Route Type
Loop
About This Trail
A roller-coaster ride up, over, and around sandstone fins — the perfect introduction to Moab slickrock wheeling.
Local Tip
Air your tires down to around 20 psi before the first fin — the difference in traction and ride comfort on slickrock is night and day, and there's a free air station back in town at several off-road shops. Run the loop clockwise as marked; the descents are engineered to be taken nose-first.
Trail Description
Fins & Things is the trail most Moab locals recommend for a first taste of real slickrock four-wheeling. The route rolls through the Sand Flats Recreation Area east of Hell's Revenge, crossing a maze of petrified sand-dune fins with constant short climbs and drops that feel like a slow-motion roller coaster.
Nothing on the main route is extreme, but the steep nose-down descents off the fins will get your attention and teach you real throttle and brake control. Views stretch across to the La Sal Mountains and the red rock of Arches.
The trail is popular with Jeeps, UTVs, and dirt bikes alike, and it links two loops (north and south) that can be run together or separately.
Trailhead & Staging Area
Stage at the Sand Flats Recreation Area — continue past the Hell's Revenge staging area on Sand Flats Road about 2 miles to the marked Fins & Things trailhead. Day-use fee payable at the entrance station.
Drive Route
Roughly 9-10 miles total if you run both loops, marked with painted symbols on the rock. Allow 2-3 hours. High-clearance 4WD with low range recommended; stock Wranglers and 4Runners handle it fine when dry. Follow the painted route markers — cutting across virgin slickrock and cryptobiotic soil is prohibited.
Interactive Map
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