Moab

[Van Halen]

I have never been to Moab and really want to visit but I have a stock 2021 Jeep Rubicon what trails must I avoid with a stock Jeep. Thanks

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[jadmt]

your stock rubicon will do many trails in Moab. I would avoid BFE (really only buggies or really built rigs go there) pritchet canyon I would avoid but I know someone who did it in a stock rubicon. one good guide https://www.rr4w.com/trails.cfm also check out www.funtreks.com for charles Wells guide..he is conservative so you won't get in trouble following his trail advice.

 

[Sublime]

Trailsoffroad.com has great trail advice too.

 

[Van Halen]

your stock rubicon will do many trails in Moab. I would avoid BFE (really only buggies or really built rigs go there) pritchet canyon I would avoid but I know someone who did it in a stock rubicon. one good guide https://www.rr4w.com/trails.cfm also check out www.funtreks.com for charles Wells guide..he is conservative so you won't get in trouble following his trail advice.

Thank you I am planning on hitting Moab in 2027

 

[Hard Rock Jeep]

I have been to Moab about 8 times and have taken a stock JK and a stock JL to Moab EJS to see what they would do stock. And to see what I needed to do to them to get them ready to do more. My advice is to run some 3 and 4 rated trails and see how you feel your Jeep and your driving does. Stay away from 5+ trails, though your stock Jeep can do them. Trails are more fun to be able to "drive over" really tough obstacles and for that you will probably need to do some modifications. Get some successful experience first and decide where you go from there. A stock Rubicon is quite capable.

 

[Ben-Zair Dun-Zatt]

Some advice, never, never, never, did I say never? Never run trails without some sort of of non-cellular gps. It can be very easy to get lost because some trails have many roads branching off from them. Even many highway turnoff to the trail heads are not marked.
Trails Offroad, On X offroad and numerous other (non cellular) satellite gps are available for very little cost. You can run the downloaded maps without cell phone towers near by. On apple phones iphone 14 and above you are able text 911 with cell service.
Have fun

 

[zouch]

i'd second all the above, and add that you might want to look at doing a Steering Stabilizer Relocation before you bang it up on the rocks.

if you get down and look under your J**p you'll see they decided to put the SS down where it's a rock magnet, and one of the first things mostly like to make contact.
rear lower shock mounts are even lower, but not as critical to proper operation.

otherwise, with any decent tires you should be able to have a lot of fun in Moab just starting with the lower-rate trails and working your way up.

have fun/be careful!

 

[HeN2O2]

I also carry a Starlink mini and have used it where there is no cell or radio service. You never know what you might find out there.

As for a stock Rubicon, I saw a guy do Steel Bender flawlessly without a scratch. All he has was a slight bend at the end of the tailpipe that he straightened out with pliers. I wouldn’t recommend that trail if you haven’t driven it many times before.

 

[Megawatt]

Moab has trails for everyone and all capabilities of wranglers. Lots of off-road shops you can stop into and ask for suggestions. They are the best up to date info since it’s their back yard.

 

[dorocks]

Just did these trails last month. (All greens) Haven’t processed the 2026 pictures yet.

https://funtreks.com/product/guide-to-moab-utah-backroads-4-wheel-drive-trails-4th-edition/

Includes GPS coordinates but also gives step by step turn info. Highly suggest the guides.

• Potash Road/Shafer Switch Backs (2021 pictures) https://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Vacation/2021-Moab-Potash-Shafer
• Book Cliffs/Sego Canyon (new to me) never do wet.
• Gemini Bridges and went into Canyonlands after.
• Anticline overlook (2021 pictures) https://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Vacation/2021-Moab-Anticline

One trail my family hates is Chicken Corners (a blue moderate) Annoying terrain for miles.

 

[Van Halen]

I have been to Moab about 8 times and have taken a stock JK and a stock JL to Moab EJS to see what they would do stock. And to see what I needed to do to them to get them ready to do more. My advice is to run some 3 and 4 rated trails and see how you feel your Jeep and your driving does. Stay away from 5+ trails, though your stock Jeep can do them. Trails are more fun to be able to "drive over" really tough obstacles and for that you will probably need to do some modifications. Get some successful experience first and decide where you go from there. A stock Rubicon is quite capable.

I have already run Black Bear Pass, Imogene, Engineer and Poughkeepsie Gulch so I just want to make sure of the ground clearance

 

[Hard Rock Jeep]

I have already run Black Bear Pass, Imogene, Engineer and Poughkeepsie Gulch so I just want to make sure of the ground clearance

I have run those too, all in a lifted Jeep. But I don’t recall any issues on those even if it were stock. In Moab, you will absolutely scrape on 4 rated trails and probably on 3. But you have a Rubicon and you will not hurt a thing just scraping over ledges. You have all the stock armor needed. As someone noted, you may bend the end of your tailpipe but you can fix that. Do Seven Mile Rim. That is a good one to get a lot of experience on the rocks. Nothing extreme but a lot of fun. Do Fins if it is still a 4. Amazing climbs and steep drops. Heck, do it even if it is a 5. Just not the first one. Start with some of the overlooks (river) or secret spire as that is a good intro into the geology. Go online to the rr4w.com site and get a copy of their EJS guide. You should consider going next year. If they let you on a trail they will get you out. You will learn a lot about Moab Jeeping.

 

[Van Halen]

2027 I’m going to Moab never been there but I have heard so much about it I got to go see it for myself

 

[wibornz]

I have already run Black Bear Pass, Imogene, Engineer and Poughkeepsie Gulch so I just want to make sure of the ground clearance

Just know that those trails are not a good representation of trails and are rated way higher than they should be. Black Bear pass is rated a 6 on OnX. I would rate it as a 2 or 3. Same with Engineer Pass. I has seen a 2wd Chevy Silverado at the top of Engineer Pass. Poughkeepsie Gulch has one hard obstacle...... well kind of hard. The Colorado trails for the most part are way over rated. Mind you they are beautiful though.

With that said. Good advice about BFE and Pritchett Canyon. I would add Rose Garden Hill, Cliffhanger.

There are many trails that people will often think are extreme, but I think can be done with a stock Jeep. It might/will most likely require stacking some rocks and a good spotter, but can be done with minimal risk of body damage..... You will have to get used to the scraping sounds on your skid plates and frame though. Top of the World, Poison Spider, Golden Spike, Where Eagles Dare, Gold Bar Rim, Metal Masher, (bypass the Widowmaker) Not to worry, 99% of the Jeepers bypass the widow maker... Mind you, I would not do these trails alone. I would also say a winch would be a great idea to. Just know that recovery off these trail do not cost in the hundreds of dollar range. They charge in the thousands of dollar range. So it is vey important that you make honest assessments of your skill level as a driver, as a spotter, and your Jeep maintenance and capabilities.

I have a general rule. I try and wheel within 70% range of my skill level and Jeep capability level. That way, I can have a 30% buffer for poor assessments in decision making on the trail.


There are many great trails in Moab. I would say if you want something challenging and your skill level as a driver is up to task, Give Flat Iron Mesa a try. If yand only if you have someone else with you. There are many obstacles that will test the capabilities of your driving skills, test your vehicles abilities and there are usually easier to very difficult lines on most of the obstacles.

 

[Van Halen]

I’m not concerned with my driving skills or any obstacles I may encounter I’m just simply asking which trails to avoid from a ground clearance standpoint with a stock Jeep Rubicon.

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