Moab Hell’s Revenge Jeep Tour: A Candid Review

So, you’re looking at booking a Jeep tour on Hell’s Revenge in Moab, huh? That’s awesome! It’s got a wild reputation, very, very deserving of attention. It is one of those things that’s good to go into with your eyes open. You see those crazy pictures and videos, and that truly looks amazing, right? I recently did the private Jeep tour on Hell’s Revenge, and I thought I’d break down what the experience is *really* like. The good bits, the challenging bits, and everything in between. So you can decide if it’s really the thing for you.

What is Hell’s Revenge? A little back story

Okay, before getting into the tour itself, let’s talk a bit about what makes Hell’s Revenge so darn famous. Basically, it’s a super crazy off-road trail near Moab, Utah. That alone probably made you perk up a bit. It is marked by steep sandstone climbs, crazy slick rock, and some obstacles that honestly, appear nearly vertical. It has slick rock that definitely provides good traction if, you know, you’re a purpose-built vehicle. The name “Hell’s Revenge” is seemingly no joke. Very likely inspired by the sheer difficulty and, you know, the somewhat punishing terrain. It really feels like you’re teetering on the edge of the world sometimes. And you could be. It has a lot of appeal to experienced off-roaders. You very likely will not be bored. Hell’s Revenge became the thing in the ’90s, very much a place for these drivers to test what they’re able to do with rock crawling.

Booking My Private Jeep Tour: Why Private?

Now, why did I go private for my Hell’s Revenge adventure? Good question. First, a big reason that tipped me, is that I had a few photographer buddies along. Basically, it’s much simpler to get the shots when you can go when you want and stop where you want. Also, I just wanted that one-on-one experience with the guide. I really enjoy geeking out on this type of adventure, and I actually did want to ask a lot of questions and learn a thing or two. Usually, it’s possible to just focus on the crazy drive ahead. Cost-wise, yeah, a private tour is very likely going to run you more than hopping on a shared tour, alright. I very likely thought it was money well spent.

What to Expect on Hell’s Revenge

Right, so picture this. That sun is high and hot. You’re climbing into this modified Jeep, open-air, usually, very little between you and that massive drop-off that is the side of the trail. Just imagine that wind in your face, too. So, this tour wasn’t just driving, right? Our guide stopped at a bunch of cool spots. That way we got cool views of the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, and he shared some tales about the area’s geology and history. We were crawling up these rocks at crazy angles. So, a few times, it felt more like we might tip, though obviously we never did. Still, it’s that little hint of danger that is exciting to me. As far as duration goes, our tour was roughly three hours, which really seemed just spot on.

Hell’s Gate and Dragon’s Tail: Notable Obstacles

So, look, Hell’s Revenge has some famous spots, but Hell’s Gate and Dragon’s Tail are for real unforgettable. Hell’s Gate very often tests your nerves going down some seriously steep rock faces. The Dragon’s Tail? Yeah, that has a bunch of tight turns along a narrow ridge. Basically, it feels like the Jeep is just inching its way along the edge. So I don’t have to spell that out, alright. It can be an overwhelming challenge to be doing it, if you are also thinking about taking some quality shots.

The Guides: Experts Behind the Wheel

What truly makes the whole experience, I really believe, is having that awesome guide. The guide basically drove, and shared, and acted as ground control to everything. Very experienced on these trails. This is valuable not just to keep you from getting messed up on rocks or injured. A really good guide, like ours, knows the trail history and all the geology. If you’re really curious about how this place came to be, this is your chance to just dive into it.

Photography Tips for Hell’s Revenge

Now, for my fellow shutterbugs, Hell’s Revenge has these unbelievable photo opportunities. But, let me let you in on a few insider tips. Shooting earlier or later in the day, will seemingly give you soft light. These harsh shadows will very much be your downfall, alright. To get those super dramatic shots of the Jeep crawling on crazy steep rocks? You are for sure going to want to go low, my friends. Obviously, safety first, but sometimes you just must take some risks. Polarizing filters on your lenses might seem a little nerdy, and dated, but they reduce glare and greatly boost color, even in direct sun.

Is the Hell’s Revenge Jeep Tour Actually Worth It?

OK, you might be wondering is that thrill for real? Was the money spent in good taste? Basically, if you love adventure, unique views, and that excitement rush from basically being vertical. I definitely thought it was worth it. Is it very likely going to be bumpy and maybe a little bit scary for some? Yeah. But, for me, that’s what made it good.

Things To Know Before Your Jeep Tour

Right, a couple very crucial things to think about if you’re actually heading out there. Sunscreen is obviously number one. That desert sun truly beats down on you, my friend. Sunglasses also will make a difference, because the brightness can be killer when that light is reflecting off those rocks. Don’t stress bringing loads of water. Our tour company offered it for free. Oh and you definitely are going to want to wear comfortable clothes. It gets hot during the day and then maybe surprisingly cooler when that sun is going down, right? That sun is going to dry the sweat on your back very, very fast. Just a tip, alright. If you have back problems or other health things, definitely, chat with your doctor before doing anything like this, very important.

What to Wear and Bring on Your Moab Jeep Tour

A bit more on gear. Think light layers of clothes, that’s really the plan. A hat is going to save you, too. Very lightweight, breathable clothes help a lot. Closed-toe shoes? Very good call, too. You might kick some rocks. A camera is really essential, obviously, for pics. I’d definitely pack a small backpack. You know, for your phone, sunscreen, whatever. Maybe, you know, snacks if they’re allowed, though my crew provided these.

Other Moab Adventures to Explore

Moab’s got this almost endless list of cool things you should think about. So after Hell’s Revenge, why don’t you check out Arches National Park? Very likely to give you totally different views than what you see from a Jeep. Canyonlands is quite a sight too. If you liked the off-roading experience, check out some easier trails like Fins & Things or Gemini Bridges. If you are tired of that bumping around, maybe the Colorado River is calling you. Very mellow raft experience, or kayak trip?

Here’s what’s crucial.