Fins and Things

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4.8/5 (104 reviews)
Moab, Utah (Grand County)
Last Updated: 04/09/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert Category Icon Desert
Iconic Category Icon Iconic
Rock Category Icon Rock
Sand Category Icon Sand
Are you looking for a trail close to Moab that provides an iconic Moab experience and is a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail? Then start the motor and head to Sand Flats Recreation Area for Fins and Things! This particular trail packs a tremendous amount of fun and grand views of the La Sal Mountains in the background while driving on the mysterious-looking "Fins and Things." "Fins" are the Navajo Sandstone slickrock formations northeast of Moab, and the "things" are what remain as the fins erode. The fins started as wind-blown dunes over 200 million years ago that got cemented into sandstone, and they are now going full circle back to sand blowing in the wind. The term "slickrock" emerged when early western settlers crossed this sandstone in wagons with wood wheels on steel rims. Those steel rims definitely didn't have the traction we have today with rubber tires. As a matter of fact, they found it rather "slick." Imagine facing down a 40-degree slope on wood and steel wheels! Fins and Things is the penultimate trail for proving just how grippy slickrock really is. You'll probably have a pretty tight grip on your seat cushion as well.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Direction of Travel The southern and northern sections of the trail are mostly one-way travel only, with the south section being strictly one-way only. Please remember to stay on the marked route and follow the one-way signs. The entrances and exits do change from time to time but are well-signed. Always follow the signage versus a GPX or app in the event of trail alignment changes. If you are uncertain about the direction of the trail on slickrock, follow the black tire marks and white paint. Vehicle Recommendations Bone-stock high-clearance SUV-type vehicles will struggle in spots, but the trail is doable. A small lift and larger tires will be helpful. Lockers aren't necessary, but they are helpful. Whichever you drive, air those tires down for traction and have a spotter. Road Surface and Obstacles Fins and Things is almost entirely on slickrock or sand. A few climbs are aggravated by a loose sand approach, with the sand being deep or shallow. Steep pitches up and down are the primary type of obstacle, with a few pitches reaching almost 40°. Many obstacles are blind, meaning you can't see the road from the driver's seat. Use a spotter or get and look before driving over a blind edge or turn. Location: Fins and Things is located within the Sand Flats Recreations Area and managed through a partnership between Grand County and the BLM. All 4X4s, ATVs, motorcycles, and bikes must remain on designated roads and trails. There are no open play areas within Sand Flats. Penalties for violations of trail use can include, among other things, forfeiture of vehicles. Please Stay on the trail! Remember, indiscriminate vehicle tracks represent the theft of beauty that you came here to see. Hours of Use The southern section, Waypoints 1-16, can only be run during daylight hours because portions of the trail travel through camp. Fee: Sand Flats offers a few different types of use passes. Enter in a private vehicle, and you can purchase a 1-day pass for $5.00 or a 7-day pass for $10.00. Sand Flats also charges a vehicle trailer fee of $5.00. An annual pass for $25.00 is available. The pass admits the cardholder and passengers in a single, private vehicle for day use through the last day of the month and year indicated on the pass.

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (104)
Open
Visited: 09/19/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Awesome!
Open
Visited: 09/19/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

First time. Watching videos about the trail gives little indication of what it is actually like in the driver's seat.
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700
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/03/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Really great trail to do as a beginner before heading over to hells revenge.
Trail Review: Fins and Things - Kyle
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/01/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Had no problems running the whole trail with my stock Colorado ZR2 still running 31s and a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler. There were heavy thunderstorms the previous night but the water that was left on the trail didn't affect any climbs on bigger obstacles. If you have a ZR2, Taco etc you can do the trail but you will drag the corners your rear bumper in some spots but it barely showed anything afterward.
Trail Review: Fins and Things - Shane Segelke
Trail Review: Fins and Things - Shane Segelke
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/23/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This is probably my favorite trail at Moab. It has plenty of obstacles that vary in difficulty and what I think of as the second half has all the slick rock excitement you get Hell’s, without the crowds. With exception to the specific obstacles on Hell’s, i.e. the gate, escalator, tip over, etc., I think Fins requires more skill.

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