Utah Trails

Steel Bender

4.2/5 (10 reviews)

Moab, Utah (Grand County)

Last Updated: 10/21/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude

Desert

Mud

Overland

Rock

Sand

Scenic

Snow Wheeling

Water

Moab, Utah is one of the premier off-road and four-wheel drive destinations. Comprised of some of the most well-known trails in all of the United States, it has trail types that suit all drivers' wheeling desires. Some would call it an "off-roader's paradise". Amongst these trails, Steel Bender is one of the more popular "hard" trails in the entire area. Comprised of sand, dirt, loose rocks, and some slick rock, this trail offers drivers everything they are looking for and more.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Steel Bender is one of the more popular, harder trails in Moab. The trail is comprised of slick rock, sand, water crossings, and dirt with plenty of waterfalls and hill climbs. Even though most obstacles have a bypass, there are still several obstacles that you have to do. Expect 6 foot+ waterfalls, steeper than 50-degree inclines, and plenty of drops that you drag off. It is recommended that you have a lift and lockers before trying this trail. While on the trail, you will be offered some amazing overlooks and creek crossings. Note: The .gpx track available here is of the hardest lines possible on the trail. Stop at each obstacle and pick your route. When in doubt, follow the white tracks painted on the road surface.

1. Steel Bender (0 mi)

The trailhead for Steel Bender Trail is on the right side. There isn't much space to air down on the trail so it is recommended that you air down prior to hitting this trail.

2. Waterfall (1.9 mi)

The first obstacle is a waterfall that you have to go down. There are several routes, but the left side is the easiest. Be prepared to drag while going down this obstacle. Please keep in mind you have to come back out this way. If you don't think you can get back up this, do not go down it. The trail only gets harder from here on out.

3. Waterfall (2 mi)

The first uphill waterfall is a long one. At over 100 feet long, this will put your skills of picking a good line to the test. Take your time and plan your line, and you should be fine.

4. Go Left (2.2 mi)

This is the beginning of the Steel Bender Loop. Turn left to start the Steel Bender Loop. The loop is one way.

5. Set of Waterfalls (2.4 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 5: Set of Waterfalls

This area is comprised of several waterfalls with ledges over three feet tall that you are required to go up.

6. Rocky Climb (3.6 mi)

The hardest obstacle on this trail is this 15-foot tall waterfall. The climb up is steep enough to cause vehicles to roll over backward. There is a bypass around to the left. If you plan on trying this, it is best to have at least 35-inch tires and lockers.

7. Shortcut to the Right, Fin to the Left (4.2 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 7: Shortcut to the Right, Fin to the Left

The trail goes left then up and over the fin. If you don't want to drive on the fin, there is a shortcut on the right.

8. Fin (4.3 mi)

This is the only fin on this trail. It's fun to drive on since it is out of place. Just watch out when you drop off the backside because it can get you into trouble swiftly with an off-camber left turn. There is plenty of space to square up before going down.

9. Stay Right (4.4 mi)

The trail is to the right. There is a gate if you try going straight.

10. Continue Straight (4.5 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 10: Continue Straight

Continue Straight. Right takes you back to the fin.

11. Fork - Continue Straight (6.3 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 11: Fork - Continue Straight

An old trail exit, this path doesn't look like it has been traveled in a long time. If you take it, it takes you to the beginning of the loop.

12. Intersection - Turn Right (8 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 12: Intersection - Turn Right

An old trail exit, this path doesn't look like it has been traveled in a long time. If you take it, it takes you to the beginning of the loop.

13. Intersection - Turn Right (8.2 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 13: Intersection - Turn Right

This is where Flat Pass meets up with Steel Bender. Left is Flat Pass; Right is Steel Bender Loop. Flat Pass has an extreme drop that isn't recommended for anyone without a high experience level.

14. Alternate Route Intercept (9 mi)

Steel Bender - Waypoint 14: Alternate Route Intercept

Stay left on the main trail. This is where one of the alternate routes meets up.

15. End of Loop (9.5 mi)

This is the end of the loop. You now have to go left and drive back out the way you came in.

Trail Reviews

4.2/5 (10)

Will Thaler

2100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 11/26/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Fun trail. Definitely some harder lines that can be taken. We. Didn't get to do the flat area because it was being worked on. Well do it next time around. With stops here and there it took 3 hours to do the loop clockwise. Not a ton of technical obstacles. Pretty drive

Denny George

100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/10/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Definitely not an easy trail but a stock jk sport can do it with an experienced driver. One of the most fun trails in Moab!

Michael Graham

Official Crew

23200

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 04/10/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Really enjoyed this trial. Not too difficult with by-passes for all the harder obstacles. Really close to town which was a plus.

Jesse Almanrode

6500

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 03/16/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Some of the obstacles were fun. Much of the slow crawling of the 9 miles is a bit much. Unfortunately it was raining so we also didn’t have much in the way of views.

Brad D.

17350

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 03/16/2021

Liked the main trail, lots of fun climbs able to get in to the groove. Even did the big fall to get on flat pass. Boy was that a mistake. Flat pass was way tougher than bargened for and took forever to get out. Would highly recommend the loop and staying clear of the flat pass extension.

Steel Bender

Trail Information

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Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Steel Bender (0 mi)

2. Waterfall (1.9 mi)

3. Waterfall (2 mi)

4. Go Left (2.2 mi)

5. Set of Waterfalls (2.4 mi)

6. Rocky Climb (3.6 mi)

7. Shortcut to the Right, Fin to the Left (4.2 mi)

8. Fin (4.3 mi)

9. Stay Right (4.4 mi)

10. Continue Straight (4.5 mi)

11. Fork - Continue Straight (6.3 mi)

12. Intersection - Turn Right (8 mi)

13. Intersection - Turn Right (8.2 mi)

14. Alternate Route Intercept (9 mi)

15. End of Loop (9.5 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

Steel Bender

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

1 votes

4 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on Steel Bender

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Trail Navigation

1. Steel Bender (0 mi)

2. Waterfall (1.9 mi)

3. Waterfall (2 mi)

4. Go Left (2.2 mi)

5. Set of Waterfalls (2.4 mi)

6. Rocky Climb (3.6 mi)

7. Shortcut to the Right, Fin to the Left (4.2 mi)

8. Fin (4.3 mi)

9. Stay Right (4.4 mi)

10. Continue Straight (4.5 mi)

11. Fork - Continue Straight (6.3 mi)

12. Intersection - Turn Right (8 mi)

13. Intersection - Turn Right (8.2 mi)

14. Alternate Route Intercept (9 mi)

15. End of Loop (9.5 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

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