Every first-time visitor to Moab gets handed the same list: Hell's Revenge, Fins & Things, Slickrock, Poison Spider. The guides repeat them. The forums repeat them. The brochures repeat them. Here's what actually happens when you only look at that list: you miss the trails that make locals stop and stare. Behind the Rocks is one of them.
What Behind the Rocks Actually Is
Behind the Rocks is a sprawling backcountry route tucked between Moab and Kane Creek Canyon, covering more than 10,000 acres of sandstone fins, hidden arches, and canyon corridors that most visitors never set foot in. Unlike Hell's Revenge — which puts you on a loop visible from Highway 191 — Behind the Rocks takes you deep into terrain where you won't see another tour group for hours at a stretch.
The trail system is less a single line than a web of interconnected routes, which means it rewards riders who want to explore rather than just check a box. If you came to Moab looking for that feeling of genuine discovery, this is your trail.
What the Trail Conditions Look Like
Behind the Rocks is rated moderate to difficult, depending on which sections you ride. The slickrock portions will feel familiar if you've been on Fins & Things, but the canyon sections add a layer of technical challenge that keeps experienced riders honest. You'll encounter narrow ledges, loose sand on the approaches, and steep descents that require a vehicle with real ground clearance and real suspension.
This is not a trail for a stock rental Jeep. It's a trail for a vehicle purpose-built for Utah terrain — something like the Polaris Xpedition XP5 Northstar, which brings climate-controlled comfort alongside the clearance and power to handle what Behind the Rocks throws at you.
Why a UTV Outperforms Everything Else Here
Dirt bikes can't carry your group. ATVs can, but you're exposed to every branch, every cloud of dust, every degree of afternoon heat. A full-size UTV with an enclosed cab changes the equation entirely. The Xpedition XP5 Northstar's climate-controlled cab means your group arrives at the overlook in the same condition you left the parking lot — not coated in red dust and quietly arguing about who forgot the sunscreen.
Stadium seating means your second-row passengers actually see the terrain in front of them instead of the back of someone's helmet. Six-point harnesses mean you can focus on the trail rather than bracing against every lateral slide. And preloaded GPS navigation means you can explore the web of routes confidently without the anxiety of getting turned around in a trail system that has no obvious landmarks for the unfamiliar eye.
How Behind the Rocks Compares to Hell's Revenge
This is the question every experienced Moab rider eventually asks. Hell's Revenge is more dramatic, more visually intense, and harder. If your group wants the big-drop moments and the views from the edge of a sandstone bowl, Hell's Revenge is the trail.
Behind the Rocks is slower, more remote, and more rewarding in a quieter way. The payoff is not a single heart-stopping descent — it's the cumulative feeling of being somewhere genuinely wild, where canyon walls close in around you and you understand why people keep coming back to Moab even after they've done every trail on the list. If you have time for both, do both. If you can only choose one and your group wants solitude over spectacle, Behind the Rocks wins.
Combining Behind the Rocks with Other Moab Trails
Behind the Rocks pairs naturally with Kane Creek Canyon, which borders it to the south and offers a different flavor of the same remote character. A two-day Moab itinerary could run Behind the Rocks on day one and a slickrock-focused tour on day two — giving your group the full spectrum of what Moab's terrain actually looks like.
For groups arriving from Arches National Park, Behind the Rocks provides a sharp contrast: where Arches is crowded, paved, and full of guardrails, Behind the Rocks is empty, unpaved, and completely unguarded. That contrast is worth experiencing on its own terms.
How to Book Your Behind the Rocks Adventure
Epic 4x4 Adventures runs guide-led caravan tours where you drive your own UTV with a guide vehicle setting the pace and keeping your group together. You're not a passenger watching someone else have the experience — you're the one behind the wheel, making the decisions, reading the terrain. The guide is there to keep you safe and on the right line, not to replace the adventure with a sanitized version of it.
The Moab Discovery Tour is a strong starting point if Behind the Rocks terrain is on your radar. For a group that wants the full backcountry experience across multiple terrain types, reach out through our contact page and we'll match you to the right route and vehicle configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Behind the Rocks suitable for beginners?
Behind the Rocks includes sections that are technically demanding, so it's best suited for riders who have at least some prior off-road experience, or who are comfortable following a guide's instruction closely. That said, in a well-equipped UTV with a guide-led caravan format, first-time riders regularly complete it without issue — the vehicle does more of the work than most people expect.
How long does it take to ride Behind the Rocks?
A focused route through the trail system typically takes three to five hours depending on pace, stops, and which sections your guide includes. Plan for a half-day minimum if you want to give the trail the attention it deserves.
What time of year is best for Behind the Rocks?
Spring and fall are ideal — March through May and September through November offer moderate temperatures and the best light for photography. Summer is manageable in a climate-controlled cab but demands early starts to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat. The trail is generally accessible year-round; check conditions after winter storms before heading out.
Can kids ride on this trail?
Yes. The Xpedition XP5 Northstar seats five and includes six-point harnesses for all passengers. Children are welcome as long as they meet minimum age and height requirements. Contact us before booking to confirm your group's specifics and we'll make sure the configuration works for everyone.
