Steel Bender

Steel Bender is an iconic, highly technical trail in Moab.  Stretching through the desert southeast of town, the trail presents a wide range of terrain, including rock ledges, creek crossings, slickrock sections, and steep descents.  You'll find spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding canyons, mesas, and rock formations while on trail, treating you and your passengers to a visual feast of red rock vistas and unique geological formations that make Moab famous.

Unfortunately, in recent years, one of the more difficult obstacles - a ledge - has become impassable for most vehicles, including many highly modified 4x4 rigs.  As a result, a dangerous and illegal bypass has gained popularity, resulting in damage to the adjacent hillside.  Work continues to be done by volunteers to reduce the difficulty of this section, but it continues to be problematic.  Please check trail conditions in real time before heading out on the trail yourself.

Like any other trail in the desert, it's critical that you prepare well for this route.  Arrive with plenty of water and food for the day in case you run into and unexpected delay, and bring appropriate tools and recovery gear to handle the types of issues you can encounter on a difficult trail like this.  The summer heat can be brutal and should never be taken for granted.

That all said, Steel Bender is famous for a reason and it's more than worth the trip.  If you and your rig are well-prepared, you're going to have a fantastic time an add a great new memory to your adventure log.

If you're interested if finding out more information, check out this video from Matt at Ozark Overland Adventures as he and his friends share their experience on the trail!