Hell’s Revenge in Moab: A Complete Trail Guide [2024]
THINKING ABOUT VISITING HELL’S REVENGE IN MOAB?
You’ve come to the right place! We have spent months traveling around Southern Utah, enjoying as many 4×4 trails as we can. We have loved our Hell’s Revenge adventures and are happy to share our tips and insights to help make your experience an epic one you won’t forget!
Moab, Utah is a fantastic place to experience some really fun outdoor adventures. One of the most famous and amazing adventure trails is Hell’s Revenge in Moab. This trail has everything you would want in a 4×4 trail.
Some might say it is not for the faint of heart, but we think everyone should experience this major slickrock area either by driving themselves or taking a tour. It is that good.
It has great views, steep climbs, exciting obstacles, and many options for those looking for more or less excitement while experiencing one of the most famous and fun trails Moab, Utah has to offer. You will not see many stock vehicles on this trail.
What is Hell’s Revenge in Moab?
Hell’s Revenge is one of the most popular 4×4 roads in Moab. It is a popular place for jeeps, rzrs, and other off-road vehicles. It is also the most popular trail for guided tours.
- Difficulty Rating: 6 out of 10 up to 8 out of 10 (If you take the bypasses, the trail is easier)
- Miles: 8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Road Surface: Slickrock
- Speed Limit: 5 to 10 MPH
Scenery on Hell’s Revenge in Moab
The scenery on and around Hell’s revenge is beautiful. You will be able to see an old trail called Lion’s Back that is no longer open, but the best scenery is being able to overlook Moab valley, the La Sal Mountains, and the cool fins that make up much of the surrounding area.
What kind of OHV do I need for Hell’s Revenge?
If you are going to try your hand at Hells Revenge in Moab, Utah you need to have an appropriate vehicle. The appropriate vehicle can depend on your skill level and the obstacles you want to try while on the Hell’s Revenge Trail.
The majority of people should have a 4×4 vehicle with lockers and 35-inch tires, but that is not absolutely necessary. Some could do Hells Revenge with a 4×4 vehicle and tires around 33 inches and no lockers. That is not recommended but can be done without too many issues as long as you take the bypasses and do not take on the harder-named obstacles.
A good spotter is also something that can be helpful.
Getting to Hell’s Revenge Trailhead
The Hells Revenge Moab Jeep Trail is located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area just to the left after the Sand Flats Recreation Area Entrance Station. The road up to Hell’s Revenge is also called Sand Flats Road.
The GPS coordinates are 38.57558025442613, -109.5225385476044.
Hell’s Revenge Notable Obstacles
Below are the named obstacles you can encounter while on hells revenge. These optional obstacles can be bypassed to make for an easier route. If you bypass these obstacles, the trail is easier and should not give you too many problems.
If you feel the need, you can turn around and go back through the way you came. Just remember the exit is a separate fin next to the entrance. Signs do mark the exit.
Hells Revenge Escalator
The escalator is a series of Slickrock hills, one repeated after the other. These can be very challenging but easily bypassed. You have to go out of your way to go on this obstacle.
Below are a couple of great videos that depict the Escalator and the challenge it entails.
Hell’s Gate
Hell’s Gate in Hell’s Revenge is one of the most famous obstacles on the Hell’s Revenge trail and can be one of the most difficult obstacles on the trail for those who are inexperienced.
It is at the far end of the Hell’s Revenge loop about halfway through and is a favorite obstacle to stop and watch people. It is a challenging route that requires the correct line, or you can easily tip over.
One nice thing about Hell’s Gate is that it is not on a steep ridge like other trails around Moab. This is definitely a premier slickrock trail.
If you have not done the route, great spotters are a huge help on all of these obstacles, but they can be done without if you are an experienced driver. We didn’t use a spotter through any of the famous Hell’s Revenge trail, but we did skip some of the harder obstacles, and neither my wife nor my kids felt unsafe.
Below are some videos to show Hell’s Gate.
From these videos, you can see how the skill level of the driver is a big deal. It is important not to push yourself or your machine too far to prevent major issues. A wide variety of vehicles can make it through Hell’s Revenge and the obstacles it provides.
Devil’s Hot Tub and Mickey’s Hot Tub
There are a couple of obstacles called Hell’s Revenge Hot Tubs that are along Hell’s Revenge. They are challenging and should be avoided when water is at the bottom.
Devil’s Hot Tub is on private property and should not be used. Devil’s Hot Tub looks like many people have gone into the tub, but you should not.
The only hot tub obstacle that should be attempted is Mickey’s Hot Tub. It has a nameplate, so you will know which one is Mickey’s Hot Tub. The water can make them very challenging, and you may need the help of a winch or a strap to get out once you are in the tub.
You will find many videos of vehicles that roll trying to make their way out of the tub. You should use extreme caution when trying Mickey’s Hot Tub.
hot tub fails
Tip-Over Challenge
Tip Over Challenge is a steep incline towards the end of the Hells Revenge 4×4 Trail. The incline is steep, and it is off-camber.
Many videos make it look super easy, but you should use caution.
Tip-Over Challenge Fail
Staircase
The Staircase is a less-known obstacle on Hell’s Revenge because it has been closed for 10 or more years. In 2022 it was opened again, and it is a fun challenging obstacle that has a v shape at the beginning that requires a good line to not fall into the V.
The Staircase is similar to Hell’s Gate and could be considered a mini Hell’s Gate. You need to stay on the right line, or things can get tippy.
Here is a video that shows many of the obstacles, but at 23.50, it starts the Staircase.
Hell’s Revenge Mileage Log
Entrance: The entrance into Hells Revenge
The entrance is very noticeable because you start with a steep one way somewhat narrow incline. Some people say the entrance is a little nerve-wracking, but we do not find it overly stressful. The route is easy to follow, and you can see the tracks easily from other vehicles.
After you get up the hill, you will have a 2-way section of the trail. This section has ample space, and it is not very challenging.
While in this section, you will see a bypass to the left. It is used for emergency vehicles but can be used.
If you go to the right, it is a harder section but not a section that will often need to be bypassed.
Mile 1
At about 1 mile in, you will see another bypass that goes to your right. If you take this bypass, you will skip some larger fins and steep descents, but we did not find that descent overly difficult.
Mile 2
At mile 2, you will see a cut-across route. This will bypass about half of the trail. You will see signs showing you the trail map and where the bypass will take you. After this bypass, you will have 1.5 miles until you arrive at Hell’s Gate.
Hell’s Gate is not part of the Hell’s Revenge Loop. It is an offshoot that you go down and then return to the Hell’s Revenge Loop.
MILE 3
At mile 3, you will go past the entrance to the turn-off to Hells Gate.
Mile 4.5
At 4.5 miles into the trail you will see Mickey’s Hot Tub. Don’t be fooled by Mickey’s Hot Tub. It is challenging and many experienced drivers will not go through the tub if there is water in it.
MILE 5
At Mile five you will arrive at the Escalator. The Escalator will be on your right so stay to the left and bypass the escalator unless you want to try you hand at this difficult challenge.
Mile 5.2
At this mile point, you will arrive at the Tip-Over-Challenge. The bypass will be at your right and this area is also where you will find the new Staircase section.
After these challenges, you will be getting to the end, and you will have passed all of the difficult named challenges. The exit can be a little exciting, so don’t think you are done just because you made it this far. If you start to feel that you need to turn around, you can return to the cut-across section around mile 4.7, just after Mickey’s Hot Tub. The only difference is that you will not go down the fin you came up there is another fin next to it with an exit sign.
Hell’s Revenge Guided Tour
If you do not feel comfortable taking your own Jeep, SxS, or another vehicle down the Hell’s Revenge, you should definitely take a Hell’s Revenge jeep tour through Hell’s Revenge.
It is such a fun experience that the whole family will love. The steep slopes are beautiful, and there are even some dinosaur tracks you can check out shortly after you start the trail.
This trail has so many fun options and so many places where you will be able to watch people try the different obstacles with many different types of vehicles. You will love taking this tour.
If you are looking for something different that is a little adventurous, a Hell’s Revenge tour is a must.
Hell’s Revenge Map
You can see the most up-to-date Hell’s Revenge map here.
Fins and Things vs Hell’s Revenge
Fins n’ Things is a great trail to take before you take Hell’s Revenge. Hell’s Revenge is a little more difficult. We did not find Fins and Things overly difficult, but we found it an excellent trail to use as a test run before Hell’s Revenge.
If you do not think Fins and Things is too difficult, we recommend giving Hell’s Revenge and Poison Spider Mesa a try.
If you need to bypass anything on Fins and Things, Hells Revenge will probably be too nerve-wracking, and you should take a tour of it instead.
Guide to Moab, Utah Off-Road Trails
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.
If you’re going to be driving Hell’s Revenge or any of the 4×4 trails in Moab, we highly recommend purchasing this guide before your visit. They have a very helpful and very informative mileage log.
FAQ: Hell’s Revenge in Moab
How hard is Hell’s Revenge in Moab?
Hell’s Revenge is considered a 6 out of 10 or an 8 out of 10, depending on the different routes you take. It is a technical trail and is not overly scary, but caution should be used when riding on the trail.
Hell’s Revenge is a trail we really enjoy. We took our Polaris RZR PRO XP4 on it with 3 kids under 7, which was so much fun. Prior experience is helpful on this trail. We have a little bit of previous experience with off-road vehicles and trails. We did bypass some of the obstacles to be extra careful and didn’t feel the trail was overly stressful.
Is Hell’s Revenge in Arches National Park?
No, Hell’s Revenge is not in Arches National Park. There are some off-road vehicle trails in Arches National Park, but Hells Revenge is not one of them. One thing to remember is that OHVs like side by sides are not allowed in Arches even if they are street legal.
How steep is Hell’s Gate in Moab?
Hell’s Gate varies between 20 and 45 degrees. The tricky part of Hell’s Gate is keeping your vehicle along the right lines. If you are too far one way or another, your vehicle will tend to want to tip over backward.
What is the most difficult trail in Moab?
Prichett Canyon is said to be the most difficult trail in Moab. If you take this trail, you will most likely want a custom rock buggy and possibly rear steering. However, we have not done this trail personally.
Can I take my family on Hell’s Revenge?
Yes, we took our entire family, and we have numerous friends who have done the same. You can bypass many of the extreme obstacles. However, you should still be cautious on the trail and have some experience being off-road before making this trail, especially if you have your family.
One thing to remember is never to put your arms or body parts outside the window. Your vehicle can tip on them and cause injury.
What is the best way to see Hell’s Revenge?
The best way to see Hell’s Revenge is by bringing a jeep or OHV like a RZR or Can-Am and doing it yourself. This is the best way if you have some experience with these types of vehicles.
If not, the best way is to take a 4×4 tour. A tour of Hell’s Revenge is so fun and is a great way to see the backcountry in Moab.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Hell’s Revenge?
No, you do not need to book in advance to do Hell’s Revenge, but you do have to pay to get into the Sand Flats Recreation Area. It cost 5 dollars per vehicle.
If you are wanting to go on a guided tour of Hell’s Revenge, it is a good idea to book your tour ahead of time. While we were there, we heard multiple people mentioning that the tours were sold out.
Conclusion: Hell’s Revenge in Moab
If you are in Moab, Hell’s Revenge is a must-do. There is a good reason why it is the most popular trail in Moab. You can do it on your own by bringing your own OHV or 4×4, or you can take a guided tour. Both are so fun and a great way to experience some of what Moab offers.
You will love the long stretches of Slickrock, and the rock ledges don’t seem overly scary. The trail is a very technical trail, but if you take your time, it should only take 2-3 hours. When we did it in our RZR and we did it in about 2 hours or a little less.
As you travel this trail, you will feel it is similar to a roller coaster ride with large vistas. The great thing about this trail is that it does not have large loose rocks. The trail is solid and feels secure. There is some tight maneuvering, but it will be a wonderful experience.
One important thing to note is that the Jeep rental companies we know of do not allow you to rent a jeep and take it on the Hell’s Revenge trail. They have an off-limits trails list, and Hell’s Revenge is on that list. The Jeeps are GPS-monitored, so it would not be wise to use them on prohibited trails.
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