Hell's Revenge: Moab's Most Famous Off Road Trail
A 6.5 mile roller coaster of slickrock fins, steep climbs, and canyon views ten minutes from downtown Moab. Here's how to ride it — behind the wheel of a guided UTV, in the passenger seat of a pro's 4x4, or in your own rig.
Drive Hell's Revenge Yourself Compare All ToursQuick Facts: Hell's Revenge Trail
| Location | Sand Flats Recreation Area, about ten minutes east of downtown Moab via Sand Flats Road |
|---|---|
| Length & time | 6.5 mile loop; plan 3–4 hours on the main trail, 5–6 with the optional obstacles |
| Difficulty | Rated 6 of 10 by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers. The main loop is manageable for experienced drivers; the named obstacles are expert only |
| Fees | Sand Flats entry: $5 per vehicle per day, $10 for seven days, $25 annual. Out of state ATVs and UTVs also need a $30 Utah OHV permit |
| Best seasons | Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November). Summer runs should start at sunrise; the slickrock has zero shade |
| Vehicle | High clearance 4x4 with low range, a guided UTV, or a professional driver's rig. Rental jeeps are often restricted from this trail — check your contract |
| Easiest way to ride it | Book a U Drive Hell's Revenge tour — you pilot your own UTV behind a local guide |
The Trail That Made Moab the Off Road Capital
Every off road town has a signature trail. Moab's is Hell's Revenge. The route climbs onto a maze of petrified sand dunes above the Colorado River, where grippy Navajo sandstone lets machines crawl up and over fins that look impossible from the bottom. One minute you're balanced on a narrow ridge with the La Sal Mountains filling the windshield; the next you're nosing down a descent so steep all you can see is sky, then rock, then the trail again.
Despite the name, the main loop is more thrilling than terrifying. The scariest looking sections are usually the safest — that red rock grips tires like sandpaper — and the genuinely dangerous obstacles are all optional, with marked bypasses. That's exactly why Hell's Revenge works for first timers on a guided tour and veterans hunting the named obstacles alike.
The trail shares Sand Flats Recreation Area with the famous Slickrock Bike Trail, and the two routes cross several times. If you've ridden Slickrock on two wheels — or plan to after reading our Moab mountain biking guide — you'll recognize the same surreal domes from a very different seat.
Local tip: the dinosaur tracksAbout half a mile from the trailhead, a limestone shelf preserves more than 50 dinosaur footprints roughly 190 million years old — including tracks from the predator Dilophosaurus. It's a short, worthwhile stop, and the fossils are protected by law, so look but don't touch.
Three Ways to Experience Hell's Revenge
U Drive UTV Tour
You drive your own UTV over the fins and domes while a professional guide leads the line, coaches you through the tricky sections, and handles the navigation. No experience needed, and no worrying about your own vehicle's paint.
Book the U Drive TourGuided 4x4 Tour
Ride shotgun while a local pro drives. Guided 4x4 tours run the backcountry around Arches and Canyonlands, pairing serious terrain with the stories and geology only a local can tell.
Book an Arches 4x4 TourYour Own Rig
High clearance, low range 4x4s with a confident driver can run the main loop — most ledges have bypasses, and the route is marked with painted symbols on the rock. Air down, bring a spotter, and stay on the designated trail.
See Fees & RulesThe Named Obstacles of Hell's Revenge
The main loop is the appetizer. Scattered along it are optional, expert only obstacles that draw rock crawlers from around the world. Every one of them can be bypassed — and unless you have lockers, armor, and an experienced spotter, every one of them should be.
Hell's Gate
The trail's icon: a steep V shaped chute between two rock fins. Watching rigs climb it is a spectator sport in its own right.
The Escalator
A series of stair stepped slickrock ledges with undercut faces. Front and rear lockers are the price of admission.
Tip Over Challenge
The name is honest. A hard off camber climb where the wrong line means exactly what you think it means. A marked bypass sits just before it.
Mickey's Hot Tub
A deep sandstone pothole rigs drop into and claw out of. It's the only pothole open to vehicles on the trail — the rest are off limits.
The Fins
The heart of the experience: narrow sandstone ridges with steep drops on both sides and full circle views from the La Sals to Arches.
Nervous about the ledges?Take the wheel with a guide instead of going it alone. On a U Drive Hell's Revenge tour, the guide picks the lines and talks you through every climb — you get the full white knuckle experience without the guesswork.
Hell's Revenge, Mile by Mile
Mile 0.0The Entrance Fin
The trail wastes no time — you climb a steep, narrow slickrock fin right out of the parking area, with the entrance station shrinking below you. Follow the painted chevron symbols.
Mile 0.7–1.0Fins and Domes to Abyss Overlook
A rolling series of sandstone fins and domes descends toward the Abyss Overlook, then climbs a steep dome on the far side. This stretch is the postcard.
Mile 1.6Slickrock Bike Trail Crossing
The route crosses the world famous mountain bike trail. Slow down and yield — riders have the right of way at every crossing.
Mile 3.0–4.0Hell's Gate Turnoff and the Hot Tubs
The spur to Hell's Gate branches off, and Mickey's Hot Tub appears near mile 4. Both are optional; the main loop continues past them.
Mile 4.1The Big Descent
An extremely steep drop down a narrow ledge — the moment most drivers remember. Use a spotter, take it slow, and trust the traction.
Mile 4.8–6.5Tip Over Challenge and the Run Home
The final stretch passes the Tip Over Challenge (bypass marked) and a set of eroded rock ledges before returning to the trailhead via the exit fin or the Staircase alternate.
Fees and Rules at Sand Flats
Hell's Revenge sits inside Sand Flats Recreation Area, a county and BLM managed area with its own entry fee. If you're bringing your own machine from out of state, budget for the OHV permit too. Booked a tour? Ask whether the Sand Flats fee is included — policies vary by operator.
| Pass or Permit | Cost | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Flats day pass | $5 per vehicle | Every private vehicle entering the recreation area |
| Sand Flats seven day pass | $10 | Multi day visitors — pays for itself on day two |
| Sand Flats annual pass | $25 | Frequent visitors and locals |
| Utah OHV permit | $30 per year | Out of state ATVs and UTVs; all OHV operators must also complete Utah's free online OHV education course |
The one rule that matters mostStay on the designated trail — always. Off trail driving in Sand Flats is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fines and even vehicle forfeiture, and it destroys the living soil crust that holds this desert together. The painted symbols on the rock are the trail.
Best Time to Drive Hell's Revenge
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Perfect temperatures, firm traction, long days. Easter Jeep Safari brings the biggest crowds of the year | Prime time — book tours and lodging weeks ahead |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Afternoons hit 95–105°F with zero shade on the slickrock | Sunrise starts only; morning tours beat the heat |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Golden light, cool air, thinner crowds. Many locals call October the single best month | The sweet spot |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet trails and snow dusted red rock; ice can linger on shaded north faces | Beautiful but check conditions first |
Planning the rest of your trip around trail season? Our Moab vacation planner builds a custom itinerary in minutes, and the Moab adventures hub covers everything else worth doing while you're here.
Hell's Revenge Tours and Nearby 4x4 Adventures
These are the guided experiences we recommend for this corner of Moab — from driving Hell's Revenge yourself to letting a pro take you deep into the parks. Free cancellation is available on most departures, so you can lock in your date now and adjust later.
U Drive Hell's Revenge UTV Tour
Take the wheel of your own UTV and follow a local guide over the fins, domes, and descents that made this trail famous. The definitive way to do Hell's Revenge your first time.
Check Dates & PricesArches National Park 4x4 Tour
See the arches most visitors never reach on a guided 4x4 route through the park's backcountry. Perfect pairing with a morning on Hell's Revenge.
Check Dates & PricesCanyonlands 4x4 Tour
Descend into the Island in the Sky backcountry on a guided 4x4 tour of Canyonlands — cliff edge roads, river views, and geology that makes Hell's Revenge look young.
Check Dates & PricesE-bike Tour to Klondike Bluffs
Prefer your slickrock a little quieter? This guided e-bike ride rolls to the Klondike Bluffs overlooking Arches — beginner friendly, with dinosaur tracks along the way.
Check Dates & PricesHell's Revenge FAQ
How hard is Hell's Revenge?
Hell's Revenge is rated 6 of 10 by Moab's Red Rock 4-Wheelers club. The main 6.5 mile loop is challenging but manageable for experienced drivers in a high clearance 4x4, because the sandstone offers exceptional traction and the hardest obstacles all have marked bypasses. The named obstacles — Hell's Gate, the Escalator, Tip Over Challenge, and Mickey's Hot Tub — are expert only.
Can beginners do Hell's Revenge?
Yes — on a guided tour. U Drive UTV tours let complete beginners drive the trail behind a professional guide who picks the lines and coaches every climb. Driving your own vehicle without off road experience is not recommended, and many jeep rental companies exclude Hell's Revenge from their approved trail lists.
How long does Hell's Revenge take?
Plan 3 to 4 hours for the main loop at a relaxed pace, or 5 to 6 hours if your group attempts the optional obstacles or stops often for photos. Guided UTV tours typically run 2.5 to 3 hours.
Is there a fee to drive Hell's Revenge?
Yes. The trail is inside Sand Flats Recreation Area, which charges $5 per vehicle per day ($10 for seven days, $25 annual). Out of state ATVs and UTVs also need a $30 Utah OHV permit, and all OHV operators must complete Utah's online OHV education course. Full details in our guide to Moab off road fees and permits.
When is the best time to drive Hell's Revenge?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the best temperatures and traction. Summer is driveable with a sunrise start, and winter brings quiet trails with occasional ice on shaded sections. See our full guide to the best time to off road in Moab.
Can you do Hell's Revenge in a stock vehicle?
A stock high clearance 4x4 with low range can complete the main loop using the bypasses, though skid plates and an experienced spotter make it far more comfortable. Low clearance vehicles, all wheel drive crossovers, and vehicles without low range should not attempt the trail.
Are ATVs and UTVs allowed on Hell's Revenge?
UTVs and side by sides run the trail daily, including guided U Drive tours, and it's a bucket list route for many riders. Grand County cautions against ATVs due to the steep off camber terrain — if you're on four wheels of your own, a UTV is the better machine here.
What should I bring?
More water than you think you need (a gallon per person in warm months), sun protection, snacks, a full tank, and a charged phone. There's no shade on the slickrock and no services past the entrance station. Camping nearby? Sand Flats has over 120 sites — see our Moab campgrounds guide.
Ready to Take On Hell's Revenge?
Spring and fall departures sell out weeks ahead — and there's nothing quite like telling people you drove it yourself.
Book the U Drive Hell's Revenge Tour Or Tour Arches by 4x4