Fins and Things for First-Time Slickrock
Fins and Things can feel intimidating the first time you look up from the trail and see a steep slab of bare sandstone ahead. The route is famous for its rolling slickrock, but a good day depends on choosing a suitable machine, reading the marked route, and staying calm on climbs and descents. This guide explains how to prepare and ride it with more confidence.
What to Expect on Fins and Things
Understand the terrain before you go
Fins and Things is a popular off-highway route in the Sand Flats area east of Moab. The name describes the landscape: narrow sandstone ridges, rounded rock formations, and sections that rise and dip over the terrain. The trail is not a smooth sightseeing road, and the experience can be more demanding than its name or photos suggest.
“Slickrock” is a common name for sandstone, not a promise that the surface is slippery. The rough texture often gives tires good grip when the rock is dry, but traction can change with dust, loose sand, rain, or mud. A slope that looks manageable from the bottom may feel much steeper from the driver’s seat, especially when you cannot see the route crest.
Expect to steer carefully, manage your speed, and pay attention to the route markers. The terrain may include climbs, descents, ledges, and uneven transitions. Some sections can feel exposed even when the machine is stable, so take time to look at the line before committing. For a broader look at how Moab riding differs from dune or forest routes, see [Riding Moab, Utah on a Side-by-Side].
Match the route to your experience and machine
A first slickrock ride is not the time to assume that every marked trail will feel easy because your UTV or ATV has four-wheel drive. Vehicle capability matters, but so do ground clearance, tires, wheelbase, width, power delivery, and the driver’s comfort with steep or uneven terrain. A machine that performs well on open dirt roads may feel less predictable on angled rock or a tight turn.
Check the route rating and machine guidance on current area maps before leaving. The trail network may connect to other routes, and nearby options can have different levels of difficulty. Don’t rely only on a friend’s description, an old social-media post, or a track recorded by someone driving a different machine. A route that felt straightforward in a narrow two-seat UTV may be a very different fit for a wider four-seat model.
If you are renting, tell the shop that you are new to slickrock and ask what routes suit your experience and machine. Ask whether the rental is permitted on Fins and Things, whether any route sections are restricted, and what to do if you encounter a feature you do not feel comfortable attempting. Comparing the route with [Picking a Moab Trail by Machine Width] can help you think through fit before you unload.
Prepare Before You Leave the Trailhead
Check access, permits, and route information
Before towing to Sand Flats, confirm that the route is open and that your vehicle is allowed on the roads you plan to ride. Closures, seasonal conditions, construction, and local restrictions can affect access. Trail signs and official land-management information should take priority over a saved GPS track or an online comment that may no longer describe the route accurately. [Trail Closures Utah Riders Should Check First] is a useful reminder to check conditions before you set out.
Make sure your registration and any required permits are sorted out before the ride. Requirements depend on where your machine is registered and how it is being used. Visitors riding an out-of-state machine should check the non-resident permit rules, and everyone can review [Utah OHV Trail Maps and How to Read Them].
Before departing, make a simple plan: identify the route entrance, note where you can turn around safely, and tell someone where you expect to ride. Apps such as onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and keep track of your position, but a phone map is not a substitute for posted signs, current closure information, or sound judgment. Download maps for offline use before heading into areas where reception may be unreliable.
Do a practical machine and gear check
Give the machine a walk-around before you ride. Check tire condition and pressure according to the manufacturer’s guidance, inspect wheels and visible suspension parts, and make sure steering and brakes feel normal. Confirm that fuel is sufficient for the planned route and that you understand the machine’s drive modes, parking brake, and any hill-descent or engine-braking features. A control you have never used is not something you want to learn halfway up a steep slab.
Pack water, sun protection, eye protection, a basic first-aid kit, and a way to contact help. A small tool kit and tire-repair supplies can be valuable, but only bring recovery equipment you know how to use safely. Sandstone and sharp edges can be hard on tires and underbody components, so check for obvious damage when you stop. For a fuller packing list, see [What to Carry on a Utah Day Ride] and [Recovery Gear for Utah Sand and Slickrock].
Avoid loading the cab with loose gear that could shift on a steep pitch. Secure water, bags, and equipment, and keep the passenger area clear. If you ride with children or passengers who are nervous about steep terrain, explain that you will pause to assess features and that nobody should lean out or unbuckle while the vehicle is moving. A calm passenger makes it easier for the driver to focus.
| Before the ride | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Current map, route rating, closures, and machine access | Prevents following an unsuitable or closed route |
| Machine | Tires, brakes, steering, fuel, and controls | Reduces the chance of a preventable breakdown |
| Paperwork | Registration, permits, and required documents | Helps you meet the rules for your machine and location |
| People | Water, eye protection, communication, and a ride plan | Makes a long or unexpectedly difficult day easier to manage |
| Navigation | Offline map, marked route, and backup plan | Helps when service drops or a junction is confusing |
For details on the recreation area itself, including practical planning around access and camping, see [Sand Flats Recreation Area Fees and Camping].
Ride the Rock at a Controlled Pace
Read the line before you commit
A useful habit on slickrock is to stop at a safe place before a feature and look at the whole line, not just the first few feet. Notice the approach angle, the crest, the landing area, and what comes immediately afterward. Ask whether you have enough room to complete the maneuver without turning sharply on a slope or stopping in an awkward position.
Choose a line that is within your comfort level, not the line that looks most dramatic or follows another rider’s tire marks. Those marks may have been made by a different vehicle or a driver with more experience. Sandstone features can be visually deceptive: shadows exaggerate some drops, while smooth-looking transitions can hide a steep change in angle. If you cannot clearly judge the route, pause and reassess from a safe location.
Keep all tires on the marked route. Do not cut across vegetation, drive around signs, or create a new line to avoid an obstacle. If you reach a feature that feels beyond your ability, don’t let a group’s momentum pressure you into trying it. Turn around only where the route and terrain allow a controlled maneuver, or ask an experienced rider to help assess a safe option.
Manage climbs, descents, and turns smoothly
On a climb, use a steady, controlled pace and avoid sudden throttle inputs. Spinning tires can reduce control and make the machine’s movement unpredictable. Keep your focus on the route ahead rather than staring straight down at the front tires. If the climb is too steep for you to see the crest or the landing area, pause before starting and make sure you understand where the machine will go once it reaches the top.
Descending calls for the same patience. Use the machine’s braking and engine-control features as intended, and avoid abrupt steering or braking that could unsettle the vehicle. Keep the wheels pointed where you want to travel, and leave enough room between machines that you are not forced to stop suddenly behind another rider. If you need guidance, have a spotter stand in a visible, safe position well away from the vehicle’s path.
Turns across sloped rock deserve special care. A sharp turn can change the machine’s balance, and a passenger may feel the movement more than the driver expects. Take a line that gives you room to steer gradually. If a turn requires a maneuver that feels rushed or unstable, stop in a safe place before the feature and decide whether continuing makes sense. A slow, uneventful ride is a successful ride.
Ride With a Group Without Adding Pressure
Agree on signals and spacing
Before starting, agree on basic signals for stopping, slowing down, and asking for help. Keep enough space between vehicles that dust and sudden stops do not become a problem. On a climb or descent, one machine at a time is often the sensible approach: give the rider ahead room to clear the feature and avoid crowding the bottom or crest.
A group leader should know the route and be willing to stop at junctions. A sweep rider at the back can help make sure nobody is left behind. If you use onX Offroad or another mapping tool, decide in advance how you will share location information and what the group should do if someone takes a wrong turn. A phone may lose service, so the group should not depend on live messaging as its only plan.
Don’t confuse a group ride with a requirement to keep up. If you need a break, say so. If a rider is uncertain about a feature, let them step out of the traffic line and look at it without being rushed. Experienced drivers can be helpful, but they should offer clear, calm guidance rather than shouting last-second instructions from an unsafe position.
Know when to turn back or change plans
Weather and trail conditions can change the feel of the route. Rain can alter traction, and loose dust or sand can make an approach behave differently than expected. Heat, fatigue, or a minor mechanical issue can also turn a manageable outing into a poor-risk decision. Build extra time into your plan so you are not choosing between a rushed finish and a sensible turnaround.
If a machine develops a problem, stop somewhere safe and assess it before continuing. Do not park on a blind approach or in the path of other riders. If you cannot repair the issue confidently, contact your group or follow the area’s guidance for assistance rather than improvising a tow or recovery maneuver on steep rock.
Turning around is a normal part of off-road riding, not a failure. If the route is beyond your group’s comfort, choose an easier ride for the rest of the day. Moab has a wide range of riding experiences, and [Moab Trails That Fit a Half Day] can help you consider alternatives that better match your time and confidence. Riders comparing other famous slickrock terrain can also read [Hell's Revenge, Utah's Signature Slickrock], while remembering that a different trail can have its own challenges.
Common First-Time Mistakes to Avoid
Treating a map rating as a personal guarantee
Trail ratings are helpful, but they cannot tell you exactly how a route will feel in your machine, with your passengers, under that day’s conditions. Two drivers can experience the same feature very differently. A newer rider may find a narrow ledge stressful even if the vehicle has ample capability, while an experienced driver may be comfortable with the same terrain.
Use the rating as one part of the decision, alongside route conditions, machine fit, and your own comfort. Reviewing maps in onX Offroad can help with orientation, but compare digital information with posted signs and current local guidance. A digital line is not permission to ride everywhere it appears, and a recorded track does not guarantee that every section remains open or suitable.
A common mistake is assuming that a feature will be easy because someone else made it look effortless in a video. Videos rarely show the full approach, the driver’s experience, the machine setup, or the conditions at the time. Make your decision from your own view of the route, not from the confidence of someone else’s footage.
Rushing, following too closely, or overestimating traction
Rushing often begins before the wheels turn. A late start, a crowded schedule, or pressure to keep up can make riders skip the route briefing or drive faster than they can comfortably assess the terrain. Leave enough time to stop, drink water, and look carefully at features. If your schedule leaves no room for those pauses, shorten the ride.
Following closely can leave the next driver with no room to react if the lead machine stops. Keep a buffer, especially around steep sections and blind crests. Don’t park where another vehicle may approach without seeing you. If you need to take photos or discuss a route choice, move well out of the travel line.
Finally, don’t assume sandstone grip is unlimited. Dust, moisture, tire condition, and driver inputs all affect traction. Avoid abrupt throttle or steering changes, and don’t let a brief loss of grip turn into an attempt to force the machine through a feature. For preparation specific to tires and rock, review [Tire Pressure for Utah Slickrock] and follow the recommendations for your vehicle and tire setup.
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.
