Jivewalker
Member
Going to MOAB but will be flying out there. Going to rent a 4wd for a day to do some wheeling but all I see is jeeps and ATV's, so looks like will probably rent the jeep. Any insider scoops or tips for the area?
MOAB advice
- Thread starter Jivewalker
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
A Jeep will be great. All the rental places will give you good advice to what trails to go on; after all, they don't want their rentals to be damaged; they will also tell you the trails you will not be allowed to take their vehicles on. Most rental places will provide maps as well.
Have fun.
HanginInUtah
New member
Personally, I'd rather have you on the trails in a Jeep than a SxS or ATV. I know from multiple sources that yes, they will give you good advice, but there's nothing stopping you from going anywhere and trying anything. Be ready for heat (have you heard that enough yet?) and crowds. Moab, to many of us Utah locals, is becoming an area to avoid because of the number of visitors/vacationers in that area. You can still have a good time, just be prepared for it. And if you have any idea that you want to visit Arches, plan on possible closures when they are full. And it usually fills up fast in the morning. My son went down with his girlfriend, and figured out that later in the day was easier to get in, plus planned it on a weekday that numbers trended lower.
Enjoy some slickrock! It's an incredibly beautiful place to visit!
Jivewalker
Member
Thanks! Jeep it will be! Area to avoid sounds like how we feel about our beaches here! Been in the UT heat in July before, have hot weather gear and have hiked all over AZ and half of UT in the middle of summer. Did bright angel trail when it was 110+ in the canyon. I hate crowds but don't want to miss Moab and Arches. Can't be worse than Yellowstone, that was painful. I see Arches has been closing up parking around 9:00 AM most days, so that will be a tough one, will be there early for sure, or go late as you suggest. Did half of UT 3 years ago now going back for second half plus up through CO to Denver. If areas are too crowded or closed, we will find a slot canyon or somewhere else to hike!
Jivewalker
Member
Did Zion and Grand staircase already on our previous trip. They were awesome, especially Zion and the Narrows (other than the crowds). We hiked up the virgin river from a couple miles below the Narrows and had some privacy until we got to the narrows. Then it was a hike through muddy water with bowling ball sized rocks everywhere in it that you couldn't see and people falling all over the place. Still a great time!
MAST4R
New member
There are two types of Jeep rentals in Moab: regular with mild mods and trail restrictions, and, let's call them "proper" with big mods and no trail restrictions.
I would only rent from the second group, even just on principle.
A Rubicon will be far better than any Toyota around Moab. The harder trails are getting overused and harder by the year. On the opposite extreme, there is still plenty that can be done in a Subaru, but the harder fun trails are getting really used up.
Jivewalker
Member
Had picked Twisted Jeeps, they seem to be lifted with 35's or 37's, etc. Do you have any others you would recommend with proper mods?
Seattle206
Senior Member
We just came back from a 5 day trip from Moab. It was a mixture of hiking/sight seeing Arches/Canyonlands NP and off-roading in the Sand Flats Rec. Area. We arrived a week before Memorial Day and did all our activities during the weekday. We entered the parks by 7:00 AM, little to no cars going through the gate but parking lots will begin to get packed within an hour. After we were done with the Delicate Arch hike at 9:00 AM the lot was filled and vehicles were circling to get a spot.
We did Fins n' Things and Hell's Revenge 4x4 trails. Got into the Sand Flats parking lot by 7:30 AM on with little to no traffic. By 9:00 AM hordes of UTV's begin passing us up on the trail. Didn't see many trucks wheeling on the trails with the exception of some guided Jeep groups with their 40"+ tires. 90% of others you will encounter are going to UTV's. No Toyotas in sight while we were there.
We left on Friday Memorial day weekend and you can see a sea of RV's, trailers, and built up rigs on 191 entering Moab. Glad we got out of Moab just in time before the holiday vacationers.
We did Fins n' Things and Hell's Revenge 4x4 trails. Got into the Sand Flats parking lot by 7:30 AM on with little to no traffic. By 9:00 AM hordes of UTV's begin passing us up on the trail. Didn't see many trucks wheeling on the trails with the exception of some guided Jeep groups with their 40"+ tires. 90% of others you will encounter are going to UTV's. No Toyotas in sight while we were there.
We left on Friday Memorial day weekend and you can see a sea of RV's, trailers, and built up rigs on 191 entering Moab. Glad we got out of Moab just in time before the holiday vacationers.
dezertbomber
New member
Was just there during EJS, and even with the biggest Jeep event in NA, it wasn't so bad of waits that it was not pleasant, in fact being a gear head and off road enthusiast, I loved it and want to go back with a group next year.
Here's my advice:
- Go to Sand Flats Rec Area (cheap entry fee) and do Fins N Things trail. Should be perfect for a rental Wrangler. Not too extreme, but still technical and fun on the "slickrock".
- Try Baby Lion's Back in SFRA, wish I would've but we were heading back to checkout line for Arches since it was full in the AM.
- In Arches NP, see the the farther NW arches (Eye Of The Whale, Tower Arch and Marching Men in Klondike Bluffs) that require off roading to get to. Wish I would've known more about those before I went.
*** Also, I found an off road entrance that is legal and gated off the Willow Springs Rd (BLM 378) area. I stumbled upon it when scouting for a camp spot. I'll try to find it on Google maps and pin the entrance.
- Eat at Milt's for great classic style burgers and shakes.
- Gemini Bridges Rd was a cool trail that leads to an awesome tucked away camping area called Bride's Canyon. First come first serve and there's only 5 sites that each can hold a few trucks.
There's more if you want.
Edit: Seattle206 sniped me lol.
Here's my advice:
- Go to Sand Flats Rec Area (cheap entry fee) and do Fins N Things trail. Should be perfect for a rental Wrangler. Not too extreme, but still technical and fun on the "slickrock".
- Try Baby Lion's Back in SFRA, wish I would've but we were heading back to checkout line for Arches since it was full in the AM.
- In Arches NP, see the the farther NW arches (Eye Of The Whale, Tower Arch and Marching Men in Klondike Bluffs) that require off roading to get to. Wish I would've known more about those before I went.
*** Also, I found an off road entrance that is legal and gated off the Willow Springs Rd (BLM 378) area. I stumbled upon it when scouting for a camp spot. I'll try to find it on Google maps and pin the entrance.
- Eat at Milt's for great classic style burgers and shakes.
- Gemini Bridges Rd was a cool trail that leads to an awesome tucked away camping area called Bride's Canyon. First come first serve and there's only 5 sites that each can hold a few trucks.
There's more if you want.
Edit: Seattle206 sniped me lol.
Attachments
Last edited:
HanginInUtah
New member
I'm not starting any controversy, but I wouldn't go with 'far better.' I've heard the area is getting beat up, but I just did Hole In the Rock trail near Hall's Crossing, and my Moab veterans that took me said the performance of my '18 TRD ORP was much better than they thought it would be, and very impressed. Even climbed a vertical drop that the trail lead in his Jeep with front and rear locked couldn't get up. I do agree that the Rubicon has a few more toys, and some spots get tight with a longer wheelbase, but I would settle for 'better' on some trails.
Sorry... couldn't pass it up. It even surprised me what my 4R can do, and I wouldn't want to discount it.
dezertbomber
New member
Found a good write-up on the off road entrance to Arches I mentioned. Goes by some dinosaur tracks as well: Jeeping in Arches National Park | Dirt In My Shoes
Jivewalker
Member
Cool, we have a similar timeframe , maybe a day less and then heading up through colorado day by day until we get to Denver. Thanks for the recs!!!! I will digest all of this and check it out!
Was just there during EJS, and even with the biggest Jeep event in NA, it wasn't so bad of waits that it was not pleasant, in fact being a gear head and off road enthusiast, I loved it and want to go back with a group next year.
Here's my advice:
- Go to Sand Flats Rec Area (cheap entry fee) and do Fins N Things trail. Should be perfect for a rental Wrangler. Not too extreme, but still technical and fun on the "slickrock".
- Try Baby Lion's Back in SFRA, wish I would've but we were heading back to checkout line for Arches since it was full in the AM.
- In Arches NP, see the the farther NW arches (Eye Of The Whale, Tower Arch and Marching Men in Klondike Bluffs) that require off roading to get to. Wish I would've known more about those before I went.
*** Also, I found an off road entrance that is legal and gated off the Willow Springs Rd (BLM 378) area. I stumbled upon it when scouting for a camp spot. I'll try to find it on Google maps and pin the entrance.
- Eat at Milt's for great classic style burgers and shakes.
- Gemini Bridges Rd was a cool trail that leads to an awesome tucked away camping area called Bride's Canyon. First come first serve and there's only 5 sites that each can hold a few trucks.
There's more if you want.
Edit: Seattle206 sniped me lol.
Thanks, going to read over this several times!! "Eat at Milts" seems like a shirt I will need! We will have the jeep for the whole day so some hidden gems will be great!
Would have rather driven and my 12 TE out there, but travel days come at a price! I'm not against jeeps at all, I drove an 89 YK for 10 years, followed by a 96 full size Bronco, followed by the runner. They all do things the others cant! Will be fun to be in a jeep again for a day after 20 years.
Thank you sir! Will check that out!
Lost-Again
New member
Whatever you do start early! I was there in April on my moto and it was crowded. Traffic was terrible through town. Besides. It’ll be cooler.
Agreed, but only during busy times of the year. I camp at Arches pretty much every Thanksgiving because reservations are no longer necessary, the crowds are tiny and the temperature is usually perfect. I don't go to Moab for the driving trails, however.
KarlwithaK
New member
Chicken Corners is a good half day ride. It’s not too technical and scenic. Gemini Bridges is also a short ride so they both could be done on same day.
I’ve heard that some of the Jeep rentals have GPS on their Jeeps and they don’t want you taking them on difficult trails. Don’t know, just what I heard.
I’ve heard that some of the Jeep rentals have GPS on their Jeeps and they don’t want you taking them on difficult trails. Don’t know, just what I heard.
mrblah
Senior Member
im going to go against the popular vote and say rent a SxS. They are legal to drive around town, and they haul ass on pretty much all the obstacles.
Jeeps on 37s, will walk on mostly everything. If you kinda wanna challenge yourself, drive your 4runner. It's not that you can't do anything the jeeps can do..its that you just have to pick your line carefully so you don't destroy your front or rear bumpers if that is a concern to you.
Honestly though, there are tons of trails outside of the park that are just as fun for you and your 4runner that I didn't miss the park at all. Then again, im not a obstacle kind of guy.
Last edited:
Jivewalker
Member
Would do but not driving from here, too much time. Flying out to SLC and working my way up to Denver. Trip isn't a wheeling trip, it's a hiking / driving trip. Since we are going to MOAB, I decided to rent a lifted jeep and have a wheeling day. There are 4 of us and a cooler so jeep makes sense.
If I was there by myself and wanted to go nuts, i'd rent the sxs and wear that thing out though!