Best Moab Trail for a Rented Side-by-Side
A rented side-by-side can make Moab’s slickrock feel thrilling—or much more technical than you expected. The best first trail depends on your driver experience, machine width, and rental contract. For many visitors, Fins and Things is a strong starting point if the rental company allows it and you’re comfortable with uneven slickrock. Here’s how to choose wisely and avoid a ride that’s stressful from the first obstacle.
Best Moab trail for a rented side-by-side
Why Fins and Things is a popular first choice
Fins and Things is a well-known Moab route with a mix of slickrock, sandy stretches, rolling terrain, and climbs. That variety makes it memorable without requiring you to commit to one long, featureless ride. It also gives drivers a chance to learn how their rented UTV responds on rock and sand—provided they take the route at a comfortable pace.
“Starting trail” doesn’t mean “easy trail,” though. Slickrock can be steep, and some sections may feel intimidating if you’ve never driven off pavement. A rental side-by-side may also be larger, heavier, or less familiar than the machine you’re used to. If the driver is new to off-roading, take time to understand the controls and ask the rental staff to point out the route’s more demanding sections before you set off.
Fins and Things is a better fit when your group wants a genuine off-road outing but doesn’t want to begin with one of Moab’s most technical routes. Read a detailed overview in [Fins and Things for First-Time Slickrock](Fins and Things for First-Time Slickrock), and compare other manageable outings in [Moab Trails That Fit a Half Day](Moab Trails That Fit a Half Day). Difficulty can feel very different from one driver to another, so don’t treat a trail rating as a promise that every obstacle will feel comfortable.
Check the rental contract before choosing the trail
The rental company has the final say on where its machines may go. Some contracts restrict access to particular trails or obstacles, even if those routes appear suitable for the vehicle. A machine’s ability to handle a trail doesn’t automatically mean you’re permitted to take it there. Ask for a list of approved routes and get clear answers before you leave the lot.
Be specific in your questions. Instead of asking, “Can we ride Moab trails?” ask whether the contract allows Fins and Things, whether it restricts particular sections, and what to do if you reach an obstacle you don’t want to attempt. Ask whether you must stay on a designated route and whether the operator has a preferred route plan for first-time drivers.
This is also the right time to check what the rental includes. Ask how the company handles permits, what to do if a tire goes flat, and who to contact if the machine has a mechanical problem. [Moab UTV Rentals: What to Expect](Moab UTV Rentals: What to Expect) covers the broader rental experience, while [Renting a UTV Instead of Buying One](Renting a UTV Instead of Buying One) can help you think through whether renting fits your trip.
Match the trail to your experience and machine
A trail can feel harder in a rental
When you rent, you’re learning the terrain and the machine at the same time. You may not know how sharply the UTV turns, how much braking pressure it needs on a descent, or how its tires grip on slickrock. Even experienced drivers can feel less confident when they’re unfamiliar with the vehicle and worried about damage charges.
Before leaving the staging area, sit in the driver’s seat and locate the controls, parking brake, seat belts, lights, and any drive-mode selector. Ask the rental staff to explain how the machine behaves in low-speed situations and what warning signs to watch for. If you’re sharing driving duties, agree on where you’ll switch drivers and make sure everyone knows the company’s rules.
Choose a route that leaves room for breaks and changes of plan. If a climb or descent feels beyond your comfort level, stop somewhere safe and reassess rather than following another vehicle simply because it went ahead. A calm turnaround is a sensible decision, not a failed ride. For a comparison of route dimensions and machine fit, see [Picking a Moab Trail by Machine Width](Picking a Moab Trail by Machine Width).
Width, passengers, and comfort matter
A side-by-side’s width affects more than whether it physically fits through a narrow spot. A wider machine can require more careful positioning, and passengers may have a different view of an obstacle than the driver. Check the vehicle’s dimensions with the rental company and ask whether the trails you’re considering have tight turns or narrow sections that commonly concern UTV drivers.
Passenger comfort deserves equal attention. A route that feels fun to the driver may feel rough or unnerving to someone in the passenger seat, especially if they’re new to off-roading. Agree ahead of time that anyone can ask for a pause. Keep seat belts fastened as required, and don’t pressure a nervous passenger to continue over an obstacle they don’t feel safe approaching.
| What to check | Why it matters | A useful question for the rental company |
|---|---|---|
| Approved trails | Contract restrictions can rule out a route | “Is Fins and Things allowed under this rental agreement?” |
| Machine width | Narrow sections may be a poor fit for some UTVs | “Are there tight spots on the route for this machine?” |
| Driver experience | Slickrock and steep terrain can surprise new drivers | “Which approved route would you suggest for a first-time driver?” |
| Trail conditions | Closures or changing conditions can alter a plan | “Where should we check before heading out?” |
| Support and recovery | A breakdown or stuck vehicle needs a clear response plan | “Who do we call, and what should we do if the UTV can’t continue?” |
Plan the ride before you leave town
Check maps and closures, not just a pin on your phone
A navigation app can help you understand where you are, but a pin or line on a screen does not by itself confirm that a route is open or allowed for your rental. Check official land-management information and ask the rental company about current closures and route restrictions. Stay on designated routes, follow posted signs, and don’t assume a track visible on an app is open to motorized travel.
onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and get oriented before the ride. It’s useful to look at the route in advance, especially if your group is unfamiliar with Moab’s trail network, but cross-check route access and closures with authoritative local information. Save the route details before you head out, since cell service can be unreliable away from town. For more on reading maps and using navigation tools, see [Utah OHV Trail Maps and How to Read Them](Utah OHV Trail Maps and How to Read Them) and [GPS Apps Utah Riders Actually Use](GPS Apps Utah Riders Actually Use).
Closures and conditions can change, so don’t rely on an old screenshot or a route someone rode last season. Check before you trailer or drive to the trailhead, and confirm that the route is appropriate for the machine you’ve rented. [Trail Closures Utah Riders Should Check First](Trail Closures Utah Riders Should Check First) is a useful reminder to make that check part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Pack for a desert ride and agree on a turnaround plan
Moab’s dry air, sun, and dust can make a short ride feel tiring faster than expected. Bring enough water for the people in the vehicle, eye protection, sun protection, and layers suited to the day’s conditions. Keep items secure so they don’t bounce around, and don’t count on being able to make a quick stop for supplies once you’re away from town.
Before you start, agree on the route, a reasonable turnaround point, and what you’ll do if someone wants to stop. Keep the rental company’s contact information accessible, and follow its directions for a mechanical issue or recovery situation. Avoid trying to self-recover in a way that could injure someone or damage the machine. [What to Carry on a Utah Day Ride](What to Carry on a Utah Day Ride) offers a useful checklist for the basics.
onX Offroad can also be helpful for keeping track of your route, but battery life and phone signal shouldn’t be your only safety plan. Bring a way to navigate offline, keep your phone charged, and tell someone where you expect to ride and when you plan to return. onX Offroad is a planning aid—not a substitute for posted signs, rental rules, or sound judgment on the trail.
When to choose another Moab route
Consider a less demanding option if you’re unsure
If you’re nervous about slickrock, traveling with passengers who dislike rough terrain, or renting an unfamiliar machine for the first time, ask the rental staff to recommend an easier approved route. Describe your actual experience honestly: whether you’ve driven off-road before, whether you’ve handled steep descents, and whether the passengers are comfortable with bouncing and exposure. That information makes it easier for staff to give advice that fits your group.
Don’t pick a route simply because it sounds famous or because you saw it in a video. Hell’s Revenge, for example, is one of the area’s best-known trails, but its steep slickrock features can be a poor match for an inexperienced driver or a rental agreement that prohibits the route. Read [Hell's Revenge, Utah's Signature Slickrock](Hell's Revenge, Utah's Signature Slickrock) for context, then confirm the rental company’s rules rather than assuming the trail is included.
If you want a guided experience, ask whether the rental company offers a tour or can point you toward an operator that does. A guide can help with route decisions and explain how to approach terrain, though a guided outing still needs to match your comfort level. A route that seems manageable for a confident local driver may not be the right choice for a first-time visitor.
Use a simple decision check before you commit
Before choosing Fins and Things or another route, run through these questions with your group:
- Is this trail explicitly allowed by the rental contract?
- Does the machine’s width suit the route?
- Has the driver handled similar terrain before?
- Are all passengers comfortable with the route’s expected bumps and climbs?
- Have you checked for closures and confirmed the route is open?
- Do you know where to turn around and how to contact the rental company?
If you answer “no” or “not sure” to several of these, ask about a more suitable route instead. It’s better to spend a few minutes adjusting the plan than to feel pressured into terrain that doesn’t suit your group. onX Offroad may help you prepare and stay oriented, but the rental agreement, current access information, and your own comfort should guide the final choice.
For many visitors, Fins and Things is a memorable Moab ride when the rental company permits it and the driver feels ready for slickrock. The best trail is ultimately the one that fits your machine, your contract, and your group’s confidence—not simply the one with the biggest reputation.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
