Fins and Things in Moab: A Complete Trail Guide [2024]
CONSIDERING A FINS AND THINGS ADVENTURE?
You’ve come to the right place! We’ve enjoyed thrilling adventures on Fins and Things many times throughout our lengthy visits to Moab. We’re happy to share our personal insights to help you know how to prepare for your trip and also what to expect on your trail ride on Fins and Things!
The Fins n Things trail is a great moderate to difficult trail that has really fun steep climbs and is a great time for all types of OHVs. This includes 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and Jeeps. This is a fantastic all-around trail.
It is not as hard as the Hell’s Revenge trail making it a good step before you try more challenging routes. The steep slickrock climbs are not overbearing but are just right to make sure you pay attention to what is ahead of you.
What is Fins and Things in Moab?
Fins and Things in Moab is an off-road trail in the Sand Flats Recreation Area in Moab, Utah. It is a great trail if you are not a very experienced driver, but you want to try something that will be a little more challenging but not too much.
- Difficulty Rating: 4 out of 10
- Miles: 9.5 miles (approximate mileage)
- Elevation Gain: 1,095 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Road Surface: Navajo Sandstone Slickrock with some sandy areas along the trail
- Speed Limit: 5 to 20
- Time to Complete: 2 to 5 hours
Scenery on Fins and Things in Moab
The majority of the Moab off-road trails have great views. Fins and Things is no different. While on top of the fins, you will be able to see the La Sal Mountains in the east, and on some parts of the trail, you will be able to see the Negro Bill Canyon to the west.
What kind of OHV do I need for Fins and Things?
This trail is best done with a lifted off-road vehicle with four-wheel drive. You will not need lockers for this trail. If you are a skilled driver, you could make it through with a stock SUV.
There are steep descents and a few large ledges to climb over.
Getting to Fins and Things Trailhead
To get to Moab’s Fins and Things trail, you will head east on Mill Creek Drive and proceed up a hill as you pass a cemetery on Sand Flats Road. In less than 2 miles, you will arrive at the Sand Flats Entrance booth.
You will proceed for approximately 2 more miles until you arrive at the Fins and Things Trail in Moab. There is a parking lot or staging recreational area a little before the actual entrance to the trail.
The trail is next to Campground E, and the GPS coordinates are 38.58033952179581, -109.49945439718272.
Fins and Things Notable Obstacles
Fins and Things does not have a lot of notable obstacles, but there are still a few obstacles that do have names but might not be as widely known as some of the other more popular obstacles in the Moab valley.
Frenchie’s Fin
Frenchie’s Fin is about 9.5 miles into the Fins and Things Jeep Trail. Once at this obstacle you will have already passed Stegosaurus Rock and the optional Kenny’s Climb.
The obstacle is a large slickrock fin that has steep hills. A slow, meticulous pace should get you up the sticky slickrock without too much trouble.
One tip for climbing up the slick rock is you don’t want your tires or vehicle to bounce as you can see in one of the videos below. This bouncing will make climbing the rock harder because it causes you to lose traction.
Also, remember that faster is not always better.
Kenny’s Climb
Kenny’s Climb is another slickrock climb on the Fins and Things Trail. It is an optional obstacle that is about 9 miles into the trail. This climb is one of the steepest slickrock climbs in Moab.
The climb does not have ledges or much for uneven ground. It is just a solid steep incline.
Another Notable obstacle without a Name (Campground Hill)
Fins and Things runs through multiple campgrounds. You will start at Campground E and travel through or pass Campgrounds F, G, and H. After you pass campground H, you will get to what we call Campground Hill.
This is an optional obstacle, but it is a fun, steeper rocky hill that you climb just as you pass the campgrounds.
At the top of the hill, you connect back up with Sand Flats Road. You will travel a little down Sand Flats Road through a narrow section that connects you back to the Fins and Things Trail. The trail will be on your left.
Fins and Things Mileage Log
Mile 0-3
The first three miles of Fins and Things is a fun trail with multiple ascents and descents that are great. You will also pass through multiple campgrounds and back up to Sand Flats Road. This can be confusing, and some people might think this is the end of the trail.
Follow the signs and turn right after completing Campground Hill, which takes you back onto Sand Flats Road. Once on the Road, you will turn right and travel about 0.5 mile before turning left back onto the Fins and Things Trail.
Mile 3 to 4.5
This is a fairly easy section of trail but do keep a lookout for oncoming traffic. Part of this section is open for two-way traffic, and you can see people coming in the opposite direction as the Porcupine Rim 4×4 Trail connects with this section of Fins and Things.
Mile 6
Around mile 6 and a little before, you will see a road that goes off to your right. It is a scenic overlook trail that is about half a mile long. Just pass this trail you will pass another trail that goes to your left.
This can be used as an early exit trail, as it will take you back to Sand Flats Road.
Mile 7 – Stegasaurus Rock
Stegasaurus Rock is a natural rock formation that looks like a Stegasaurus. We did not look for this rock formation as we did not know about its existence until later.
You will need to keep an eye out. If you use a google map it is around these GPS coordinates: 38.5917575896441, -109.50533563430481. It is around 7 miles into the trail.
Fins and Things and Hell’s Revenge Guided Tour
A Hell’s Revenge and Fins and Things tour is a great way to experience the great 4×4 trails Moab has to offer. These are world-famous trails and unforgettable experiences. Professional guides will direct the whole family through two of the most famous off-roading trails.
We would highly recommend going through these two trails, and a 4×4 tour is a great way to make that happen in a safe and controlled environment.
▶ BOOK Moab 4×4 Fins and Things and Hell’s Revenge Tour
Fins and Things Map
Fins and Things is split into two sections by Sand Flats Road. The first section is much smaller than the second section, but both are very fun.
If you are not familiar with the trail, you may get confused thinking that the trail is very short when in reality, the first section is shorter, and you drive down the Sand Flats Road to continue the trail. Check out the map of the Fins and Things Trail here.
Fins and Things vs Hell’s Revenge
Fins and Things and Hells Revenge are both very popular OHV trails in Moab, Utah. We enjoyed both of them. They are very different, but one makes for a really good precursor or warm-up trail for the other.
Fins and Things is an easier route than Hell’s Revenge. It does not have much for steep drop-offs, and the slickrock throughout is not overly challenging. It does have some ledges and steep ascents and descents, but they are very fun challenges.
Hell’s Revenge is a more challenging trail with lots of optional obstacles giving you the possibility to choose your own adventure and challenge yourself more or less depending on your comfort level. ‘
Do keep in mind even if you bypass a lot of the Hell’s Revenge challenges, the trail is still more challenging than Fins and Things.
While the two trails are challenging, both are super fun, and there are typically lots of people willing to help if you need help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. One exciting part of off-road adventures is using your winch or helping other people get through the obstacles.
You will often see large groups of people talking and helping each other get through different challenges. You may think they are all related because of how friendly they are to each other, but in reality, there are probably many of them who don’t know each other but just come together to enjoy a similar sport.
If you’d like more information about Hell’s Revenge, check out our Hell’s Revenge Trail Guide.
Guide to the Off-Road Trails in Moab, Utah
One of the best guides if you are going to be doing any off-road in Moab is called The Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells & Matt Peterson. This is a great book to learn about the trails and to locate where the trails are. They also have a fantastic detailed mileage log.
If you’re going to be driving Fins and Things or some of the other OHV roads like Poison Spider, we highly recommend bringing this guidebook with you.
▶ SHOP Moab Off-Road Guide Book
FAQ: Fins and Things in Moab
How difficult is Fins and Things?
Fins and Things is not an overly challenging or difficult trail. I do not think many people should be overly concerned with taking Fins and Things. However, this is not an easy trail, and the rating may differ depending on who you ask.
We consider this trail moderately challenging, and we didn’t bypass anything, but others would consider this trail on the lower end of difficult, and some do use the bypasses. This was one of the first trails we ever took in Moab, and we would take it repeatedly because it is such a fun trail that is good for many skill levels.
How long does it take to complete Fins and Things?
Fins and Things can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to around 5 hours. If you are going in an OHV like a Polaris RZR you should be able to do it fairly quickly, and most of the Jeeps will let you pass because they know they will go slower than you.
This is mainly because of the suspension, and the ride is much smoother in an SXS than in a Jeep.
If you are in a Jeep and you do not have a lot of experience, or you are in a large group, the trail can take longer. It is fine to take your time but make sure to be considerate and let others pass if you are going slow.
Conclusion: Fins and Things
We Love the Fins and Things trail. It will be something the whole family will love. Make sure you stay on the trails and have some cash to pay the entrance station fee to get into the Sand Flats Area.
If you are wondering why the trail is called Fins and Things, it is because the slickrock fins are what you drive up, and the things are what you have left after years of erosion. If you make it through Arches National Park, you will learn more about how the arches and the area have been created over the years.
The area is full of fun things to learn and see. Don’t stop at just one trail. Get out and keep learning new things about the area and others.
More Utah Adventures
Planning an Epic Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone
24 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
13 Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park
34 Fun Things to Do in Salt Lake City
25 Memorable Things to Do in Park City
