A Complete Hell’s Revenge Guide for First-Timers

Hell’s Revenge in Moab, Utah is one of the most famous slickrock trails in the world. This Hell’s Revenge guide is written specifically for you: the nervous but excited beginner who is either renting a Jeep or UTV, or bringing your own 4×4 and wondering if you are in over your head.

With the right prep and a humble mindset, Hell’s Revenge can be intense, memorable, and completely manageable. If you are a first-time driver, it can also look terrifying. It looks wild in photos: narrow sandstone fins, steep climbs, big drop-offs, and legendary obstacles like Hell’s Gate and Mickey’s Hot Tub.

Learn what skills you actually need, what the trail feels like, how to use a spotter, when to take bypasses, and how to stay safe while still having fun.

Hell’s Revenge Guide Overview

• Location: Just outside Moab, Utah, in the Sand Flats Recreation Area.
• Terrain: Steep slickrock (grippy sandstone), sand, some ledges, and narrow fins with exposure.
• Length and time: Plan roughly 2 to 4 hours depending on your pace, traffic, photos, and whether you play on optional obstacles.
• Who it suits: Beginners with some basic 4×4 familiarity, plus cautious drivers in rentals, especially if:
  • You are willing to go slow.
  • You are okay skipping the big “Instagram” obstacles.
  • You treat this as a technical trail, not a thrill ride.

Difficulty

You will likely feel:

• Intimidated in the first mile when the trail climbs onto narrow slickrock fins.
  
• More comfortable after a few climbs and descents once you trust the traction.
  
• Tempted to “try everything” later in the trail. That is where smart decisions matter most.

Most rollovers and incidents on Hell’s Revenge happen when drivers:

• Ignore the proper line.
  
• Get talked into obstacles above their comfort or skill level.
  
• Rush because of traffic or ego.

Your goal is not to “conquer” Hell’s Revenge. Your goal is to finish with your vehicle, passengers, and confidence intact.

Required Skills

You do not need to be a hardcore rock crawler, but you do need some basics before tackling Hell’s Revenge.

1. Vehicle control at low speeds

You should be comfortable with:

• Using 4-Low and understanding what it does.
  
• Smooth throttle control on climbs and descents.
  
• Left-foot braking if you drive an automatic and feel it helps you stay smooth.
  
• Starting and stopping on steep grades without panic.

If you have never used 4-Low before, practice in a flat dirt area before the trail.

2. Reading terrain and choosing a line

On slickrock, the “trail” is painted lines and tire marks rather than a dirt road. You should be able to:

• Spot the painted trail markings and follow them.
  
• Look ahead 10 to 20 feet to plan your line, not just over the hood.
  
• Aim your tires at the high points of obstacles, not the ruts.
  
• Keep the vehicle as level as possible by favoring smoother ramps, not big ledges.

You do not need to be perfect. That is what a spotter helps with. But you should at least understand that line choice matters.

3. Comfort with exposure and off-camber sections

Some sections feel “sketchy” because of what you see out the side windows:

• Narrow fins with drop-offs.
  
• Side slopes that make you feel like you will tip, even though your vehicle still has plenty of margin.

You should be able to:

• Keep your eyes on the trail and listen to your spotter.
  
• Avoid sudden steering or braking inputs when you get nervous.
  
• Stop safely, breathe, and communicate if you feel overwhelmed.

If just watching trail videos makes you panic, consider riding with a guided tour first to see the trail from the passenger seat.

4. Basic trail etiquette

Know how to:

• Yield to vehicles already on a narrow fin or climb.
  
• Communicate with oncoming drivers about who will back up or move.
  
• Stay on the marked route to protect the desert environment.
  
• Keep your group together so you can help each other.

Vehicle and Gear Checklist

1. Suitable vehicle

For Hell’s Revenge, a good rule is:

• High-clearance 4×4 with low range.
  
• Real off-road tires (all-terrains or better), in good condition.

Examples that usually do well stock or near-stock:

• Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator.
  
• Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, Land Cruiser, etc.
  
• Properly set up rental Jeeps and most guided tour UTVs.

Try to avoid:

• Crossovers with “AWD only” and no low range.
  
• Vehicles with long, low hanging steps or fragile bumpers.
  
• Overloaded rigs with lots of rooftop weight.

2. Tire pressure

Lower tire pressure helps with grip and comfort. As general guidance:

• Full-size Jeep or 4×4: many drivers drop into roughly the mid-teens psi.
  
• UTV rentals: follow the rental company’s recommendation.

Key points:

• Never air down below what your wheels and tires safely allow.
  
• If you are not sure, ask a local shop or your rental company what they suggest for Hell’s Revenge.
  
• Make sure you have a way to air back up afterward if you are in your own rig.

3. Essential gear

Even on a popular trail, you should be prepared. Pack:

• Recovery gear:
  
  • Rated recovery strap.
    
  • Soft shackles or appropriate hardware for your vehicle.
    
• Basic tools and vehicle items:
  
  • Full-size spare tire.
    
  • Jack and lug wrench that actually fit your vehicle.
    
  • Air compressor (if you air down).
    
• Personal gear:
  
  • At least 2 liters of water per person.
    
  • Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lightweight long sleeves.
    
  • Snacks and a small first aid kit.
    
• Navigation:
  
  • Offline maps or a guide app with the Hell’s Revenge route.
    
  • Paper map as backup.

Trail Driving Basics and Key Obstacles

Slickrock 101

Slickrock is not “slick” when dry. It is like driving on sandpaper.

Treat it like this:

• Use 4-Low. Let the gear reduction work for you.
  
• Slow and steady is better than fast and bouncy.
  
• Avoid sharp steering while climbing, to keep traction.
  
• Do not spin tires on purpose. Spinning breaks traction and chews up the rock.

If the rock is wet or icy, traction drops fast. In those conditions, consider skipping Hell’s Revenge altogether.

Climbs and descents

You will face long, steep climbs and descents up and down the domes.

For climbs:

• Pick a straight, smooth line.
  
• Engage 4-Low, ease into the throttle, and keep steady momentum.
  
• Do not stop halfway unless you must. Stopping on very steep slickrock can be unnerving.

For descents:

• Use low gear so engine braking does most of the work.
  
• Keep your feet light. If you brake, do it smoothly, not in stabs.
  
• Look far ahead rather than straight down the hood.

Off-camber and narrow fins

When the trail tips sideways or runs along a narrow ridge:

• Keep your steering gentle and smooth.
  
• Stay centered on the painted line, not hugging the “safe” side, which can actually push you off line.
  
• Trust your vehicle’s stability and follow your spotter’s directions if you have one.

Famous optional obstacles

You will encounter spurs that lead to iconic obstacles like:

• Hell’s Gate
  
• The Escalator
  
• Mickey’s Hot Tub and other “tubs”
  
• Tip-Over Challenge

For a nervous first-timer, treat these as “photo and watch” spots, not “I have to do this” spots. We will discuss how to use bypasses for these in the Bypasses section.

When to Use a Spotter

A good spotter is like a guide for your tires. On Hell’s Revenge, using one well can be the difference between a confident day and a scary one.

Use a spotter whenever:

• You cannot clearly see your front tires or the drop in front of you.
  
• You are navigating a ledge, crack, or off-camber turn with little room for error.
  
• You feel unsure about the line.

If no one in your group is experienced, it is still better to have a cautious, calm spotter than none at all.

Basic spotting commands

Agree on simple, clear words and stick to them. For example:

Avoid shouting multiple instructions at once. The spotter should speak. Everyone else stays quiet.

Hand signals

Verbal commands can be hard to hear with engines, wind, and other groups around. Back up your words with simple hand signals:

• Point where you want the front tire to go.
  
• Flat hand facing you moving backward means “come toward me slowly.”
  
• Both hands up in a “stop” sign means stop now.

The driver should:

• Focus only on the spotter and the line, not on bystanders or other vehicles.
  
• Stop immediately if they lose sight of the spotter.

Good spotter behavior

A solid spotter:

• Stands where the driver can see them easily.
  
• Looks at the tires and terrain, not just the body of the vehicle.
  
• Moves slowly and gives the driver time to react.
  
• Never pressures the driver into a line they do not want.

If you feel pushed, say it clearly: “I am not comfortable with this. Let’s take the bypass.”

Bypasses

Bypasses are your best friend on Hell’s Revenge.

What is a bypass?

A bypass is an alternate route around a more difficult obstacle. On Hell’s Revenge, many of the gnarliest, most famous challenges have easier ways around them.

Typical examples where bypasses exist:

• Hell’s Gate
  
• The Escalator
  
• The hot tubs (Mickey’s and others)
  
• Some steep ledges and optional play areas

How to find bypasses

Look for:

• Signs that mark “Difficult” vs “Easier” routes.
  
• Well-traveled tire marks that go around a feature instead of over it.
  
• Guidance from maps or guide apps that show main vs optional lines.

If you are unsure whether a turn is a bypass or part of the main trail:

• Stop, park safely off to the side.
  
• Get out and walk both paths.
  
• Choose the one that matches your skill and comfort level.

When you should take the bypass

Choose the bypass when:

• You cannot clearly see where all four tires will go.
  
• Your spotter is uncertain or also new to this kind of driving.
  
• You feel scared enough that your hands are shaking or you are not thinking clearly.
  
• You are in a rental and the contract discourages high-risk obstacles.
  
• Traffic is heavy and you feel rushed or pressured.

There is no trophy for doing every obstacle. There is a big reward for finishing the day with no damage.

Safety Tips and When to Turn Around

Core safety tips

• Always wear seatbelts.
  
• Keep arms and legs inside the vehicle.
  
• Secure loose items in the cabin and cargo area.
  
• Avoid alcohol or recreational drugs before and during the trail.
  
• Drive one obstacle at a time, not thinking three scary features ahead.
  
• Never straddle deep cracks that could catch a differential or wheel.

Conditions to avoid

Consider skipping or postponing Hell’s Revenge if:

• It is raining, snowing, or the rock is wet or icy.
  
• Thunderstorms are forecast and you are not comfortable with rapidly changing traction.
  
• You are already tired from a long day and feel mentally drained.

When to say “enough”

Turning around is always better than pushing beyond your limits. Turn back or exit if:

• You have repeated “near miss” moments that shake your confidence.
  
• Your group is arguing more than communicating.
  
• You have any mechanical issues: brakes, steering, overheating, strange noises.
  
• You are so anxious that you are not enjoying any part of the drive.

There are exit points and intersections with other trails. Use your map or app to find the safest way out if you decide to call it.

When to Go

Time of day

• Early morning: Cooler temps, softer light, fewer crowds. Great for first-timers.
  
• Late afternoon: Beautiful views and sometimes less heat, but plan to be off the trail before dark unless you are very comfortable navigating at night.

Season

• Spring and fall: Often ideal for temperature and traction.
  
• Summer: Very hot. You must carry extra water and watch for heat stress.
  
• Winter: Can be fine when dry, but snow and ice on slickrock can make the trail hazardous. If it is icy, choose another day.

Hell’s Revenge Guide FAQs