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Climb into a guided 4‑seat UTV and traverse the fins, slickrock and sand washes that define Moab’s spectacular backcountry. This three‑hour run blends technical driving with panoramic views of the La Sal Mountains and Arches National Park.
Climb into a guided 4‑seat UTV and traverse the fins, slickrock and sand washes that define Moab’s spectacular backcountry. This three‑hour run blends technical driving with panoramic views of the La Sal Mountains and Arches National Park.
You slide into a low-slung UTV, engine a soft growl beneath the desert sun, and the world shifts from paved storefronts to an open ledger of sandstone ribs. The trail pushes uphill, a serrated skyline of fins rising out of the earth — narrow, wind-sculpted walls of Entrada sandstone that dare you to follow the ridgeline. Wind noses at your jacket; dust and light chase each other across the canyon. For three hours, Moab’s raw geometry is the terrain and your vehicle is the translator.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Moab Cowboy Country Offroad Adventures · Moab, Utah
You slide into a low-slung UTV, engine a soft growl beneath the desert sun, and the world shifts from paved storefronts to an open ledger of sandstone ribs. The trail pushes uphill, a serrated skyline of fins rising out of the earth — narrow, wind-sculpted walls of Entrada sandstone that dare you to follow the ridgeline. Wind noses at your jacket; dust and light chase each other across the canyon. For three hours, Moab’s raw geometry is the terrain and your vehicle is the translator.
The name Fins and Things is literal. These delicate fins are the result of joints in ancient sand dunes that cemented into stone and split into blades as the rock weathered. Look toward the La Sal Mountains to the southeast — snow-capped peaks that read like a different chapter of this landscape — and to the west the drop toward Arches National Park, where the same processes carved arches and windows out of the same rock layers.
Locals have run these routes for decades: first on foot and horseback, then in high-clearance trucks and eventually purpose-built UTVs. The route threads between slickrock, loose sand washes, and steep, rocky climbs that reward drivers with broad canyon vistas and close-up views of fin faces streaked in iron oxide. Guides here are part mechanic, part geologist and part storyteller; they point out fossil traces, tell stories of early settlers and Native presence in the region, and keep an eye on changing weather that can turn a day into a safety exercise.
Practical matters are simple: tours run roughly three hours, meet across from Zax’s restaurant and the Canyonlands Trading Post in Moab, and include a guide, bottled water and a 4‑seat UTV. Helmets are provided where required and the vehicles are designed for varied ability levels—no advanced driving skills required, though a steady hand helps on technical sections.
Plan for sun and dust. Bring durable shoes with good traction, layered sun protection, and a camera with a lens hood — the wind will try to glaze your lens with grit. Timing matters: mid-morning avoids the desert’s hottest hours and late afternoon provides long light across the fins but can deepen shadows in the gullies.
Safety notes: follow your guide’s line on steep sections, secure loose items in the UTV, and be prepared for abrupt temperature swings. The trail is an approachable way to experience Moab’s sculpted rocks without committing to a long hike, but it still delivers the thrill of navigating raw, exposed desert.
If you want immediate access to landscapes that shaped the Colorado Plateau, a guided run on Fins and Things is a compact, high-adrenaline primer — equal parts geological primer and hands-on driving challenge.
easy.
3 hours.
Minimal aerobic fitness required; must be able to get in/out of a low UTV seat and hold steady on uneven terrain.
No — guides lead and brief passengers; some sections are driven by customers under instruction but no prior UTV experience is required.
This tour accommodates families; infant seats are available and the provider lists stroller access — confirm age rules when booking.
The meeting point is accessible and the company lists accessibility options, but UTV rides require stepping into the vehicle; contact the operator to discuss specific needs.
Tours are canceled for unsafe conditions like thunderstorms; the cancellation policy allows full refunds if you cancel 24 hours prior or if the operator cancels for weather.
Service animals are allowed; general pets are typically not permitted in UTVs — check with the operator before arriving.
Helmet rules vary by vehicle and route; the guide will provide helmets where required and advise passengers on safety gear.
The fins are carved from Jurassic-era Entrada sandstone; the area’s routes were used historically by Indigenous peoples and later by ranchers and explorers who mapped the plateau.
Stick to established routes to avoid damaging fragile cryptobiotic soil and pockets of desert vegetation; local operators limit vehicle numbers and emphasize leave-no-trace practices.
Moab Cowboy Country Offroad Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You slide into a low-slung UTV, engine a soft growl beneath the desert sun, and the world shifts from paved storefronts to an open ledger of sandstone ribs. The trail pushes uphill, a serrated skyline of fins rising out of the earth — narrow, wind-sculpted walls of Entrada sandstone that dare you to follow the ridgeline. Wind noses at your jacket; dust and light chase each other across the canyon. For three hours, Moab’s raw geometry is the terrain and your vehicle is the translator.
You slide into a low-slung UTV, engine a soft growl beneath the desert sun, and the world shifts from paved storefronts to an open ledger of sandstone ribs. The trail pushes uphill, a serrated skyline of fins rising out of the earth — narrow, wind-sculpted walls of Entrada sandstone that dare you to follow the ridgeline. Wind noses at your jacket; dust and light chase each other across the canyon. For three hours, Moab’s raw geometry is the terrain and your vehicle is the translator.
The name Fins and Things is literal. These delicate fins are the result of joints in ancient sand dunes that cemented into stone and split into blades as the rock weathered. Look toward the La Sal Mountains to the southeast — snow-capped peaks that read like a different chapter of this landscape — and to the west the drop toward Arches National Park, where the same processes carved arches and windows out of the same rock layers.
Locals have run these routes for decades: first on foot and horseback, then in high-clearance trucks and eventually purpose-built UTVs. The route threads between slickrock, loose sand washes, and steep, rocky climbs that reward drivers with broad canyon vistas and close-up views of fin faces streaked in iron oxide. Guides here are part mechanic, part geologist and part storyteller; they point out fossil traces, tell stories of early settlers and Native presence in the region, and keep an eye on changing weather that can turn a day into a safety exercise.
Practical matters are simple: tours run roughly three hours, meet across from Zax’s restaurant and the Canyonlands Trading Post in Moab, and include a guide, bottled water and a 4‑seat UTV. Helmets are provided where required and the vehicles are designed for varied ability levels—no advanced driving skills required, though a steady hand helps on technical sections.
Plan for sun and dust. Bring durable shoes with good traction, layered sun protection, and a camera with a lens hood — the wind will try to glaze your lens with grit. Timing matters: mid-morning avoids the desert’s hottest hours and late afternoon provides long light across the fins but can deepen shadows in the gullies.
Safety notes: follow your guide’s line on steep sections, secure loose items in the UTV, and be prepared for abrupt temperature swings. The trail is an approachable way to experience Moab’s sculpted rocks without committing to a long hike, but it still delivers the thrill of navigating raw, exposed desert.
If you want immediate access to landscapes that shaped the Colorado Plateau, a guided run on Fins and Things is a compact, high-adrenaline primer — equal parts geological primer and hands-on driving challenge.