Fins and Things — Moab’s Slickrock Fin Circuit via Seven Mile Canyon
Moab fins with real exposure and real consequence.
Fins and Things is one of Moab’s most respected technical trails for a reason — it’s not the longest run in the desert, but it packs legitimate exposure, ledge climbs, and slickrock navigation into a tight package that will sort out the unprepared fast. The route launches off Sand Flats Road southeast of town and immediately starts testing your tire placement on Entrada sandstone fins, some with sheer drop-offs on both sides. The crux moves — particularly the steep fin climbs near the midpoint — require precise throttle control and confident line selection. The view from the high fins out over Seven Mile Canyon and the La Sal Mountains is the kind of payoff that justifies every ounce of anxiety on the way up.
Rated difficult, this trail is no place for stock SUVs or overconfident beginners. You need a capable 4×4 with a locker or two, good all-terrain tires with real tread, and ideally a spotter for the blind climbs. Run time is typically two to four hours depending on group skill and stops. Sand Flats Recreation Area requires a day-use fee — pay at the self-serve station off Sand Flats Road. Spring and fall are the money seasons; summer heat on unshaded slickrock is brutal. Cell service is spotty at best. Carry water, a tow strap, and a friend who can winch.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | 2-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5200 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4x4 with lockers |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | Grand County / Sand Flats Recreation Area |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Sand Flats Recreation Area |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle Fins and Things, or do I need lockers?
A stock Wrangler can make it through most of the trail, but lockers make a real difference on the off-camber fin sections. The trail's minimum rating calls for a capable 4x4 with lockers — don't show up in an open-diff rig and expect to clean it without drama.
What months are actually safe to run this trail?
March through May and September through November are the sweet spots. Summer heat in Moab is brutal and slickrock bakes to dangerous temps; winter brings ice on the fins that turns exposure into a serious hazard.
Is there a fee or permit to access Fins and Things?
Yes — this trail runs through Sand Flats Recreation Area, which charges a day-use fee (currently $15 per vehicle as of 2024). Pay at the Sand Flats entrance station off Sand Flats Road before you drop in.
What's the scariest part of the trail and what actually makes it hard?
The exposed slickrock fins with canyon drop-offs on one or both sides are where it gets real — there's no barrier, no run-out, and a slide means a long fall. The challenge isn't raw obstacle difficulty so much as consequence: one bad line on an off-camber shelf and you're over the edge.
Is there any water or gas I need to plan around before running this trail?
There is zero water on trail — carry everything you need. Gas up in Moab before heading out; the Sand Flats trailhead is only about 3 miles from town, so fuel isn't the issue, but cell service on trail is spotty and you won't be calling for help easily if something goes sideways.
Trail track
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