Hell's Revenge

4.9/5 (64 reviews)
Moab, Utah (Grand County)
Last Updated: 04/09/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert
Iconic
Rock
Sand
Scenic

Welcome to Hell's Revenge, the world's most famous slickrock trail. Slickrock is petrified sand. The slickrock moniker dates back to when horse-drawn wagons would try to cross the seemingly easily traversed undulating sandstone. Metal horseshoes and steel-rimmed wagon wheels found no grip on the sandstone. Thus, it was called slickrock. Modern tires love the course sandstone. Moab's Hell's Revenge is considered a must-do for many wheelers. It's also in most folks' top 5 Jeep Badge of Honor Trails. When picturing Moab, the slickrock rollercoaster, fins, steep climbs, insane traction, and the two rubber tracks cresting over the hills off into the distance of Hell's Revenge is what comes to mind. If eavesdropping on conversations at any Moab watering hole, you'll hear names like Hell's Gate, The Hot Tubs, Car Wash, Micky's Hot Tub, The Escalator, and Tip Over Challenge mentioned reverently and constantly at the heart of any good Moab story. They are all on Hell's Revenge.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Hell's Revenge can be run as an out-and-back or a half-loop exiting west of the entrance. The classic slickrock trail gives incredible traction, and all major obstacles can be bypassed.  The trail begins with fins and ledges before encountering the more challenging and optional obstacles like Hell's Gate, the Escalator, the Hot Tubs, Tip-Over Challenge, and the Steps. Given that the hardest obstacles are optional, the trail is suitable for beginners in stock high clearance vehicles with a 4-low transfer case. Airing your tires down will enhance the drive by making it cushier and adding traction.

Hell's Revenge is well-marked with paint and signage. As you drive, you will come across four paint markings that you should be aware of:

  • The double V or diamond shapes indicate vehicle travel. 
  • Circles indicate vehicle travel.
  • Solid yellow paint suggests keeping your vehicle within those solid lines.
  • Dashed white lines indicate bicycle trails. 

As you complete the entirety of the trail, there are two options to exit. The first is the traditional exit at Waypoint 37, which is long and rough. The second is at Waypoint 3, now the more common exit.

Fees and Area Information

Hell's Revenge 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.

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

4.9/5 (65)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Led a group in the trail today (12 jeeps). Being my first time in Moab, it was exciting but challenging. Big shot out to Josh and the team for the map and navigation. Made all the difference in the world
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/25/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

What a trail! I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. The waypoint descriptions were outstanding. Use the Follow Me to navigate as the signs aren't correct in a couple of areas.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/23/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Favorite trail in moab so far! Great views, great obstacles and all around adventure!
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/12/2023

Great Birthday present to me! First time on this trail. It was everything I expected, Some good challenges and some awesome views. Truly enjoyed it.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 04/09/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This is a great iconic trail. Lots of great options for those who want to go big, and many bypasses for those who want a more relaxed ride. It is slickrock for the bulk of it, but a few areas of sand and a few areas of rough rock. I would say that for the mandatory obstacles, the rating might be a little low, but not much more. the high rating here is spot on - there is some extreme options. Hell's Gate had a roll over and then also coming down the trail from the Tip-over Challenge there was another today. Strangely enough, not on tip-over, it was on the trail down from there.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial