Moab - Easy/moderate trails that don't involve shelf road?

[Snacktime]

The FunTreks book that has been mentioned is a must have and has good descriptions of each trail.

One of my favorite trails that would meet your criteria it Tower Arch. FunTreks has it listed as difficult, but it really is more of a moderate trail. I was there 6 months ago and the NPS graded the most difficult part of the trail. The trail takes you to Tower Arch and Eye of the Whale Arch. Both of which are fantastic to hike to with the family. The best part is since it's off the beaten path, you can avoid most of the crowds at Arches.

I ran it in 2wd with a blow front diff, was a very fun sand, rock and canyons. Its got enough traffic that if something happens someone will drive by but hard enough to keep out rental vehicles.

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[JustWideman]

(Don't tell the NPS that we brought a cooler full of beer and sat there for a couple hours )

Thats what they call self-snitching

 

[TrailDust]

My wife is insanely scared of heights in a vehicle as well. Once she did the Moab off-roadeo with me she did start to understand how grippy the rock is and how capable the Bronco was so she got a bit more comfortable. She did Fins & Things and Hells Revenge (skipped Hells Gate), the entry to Hells Revenge was a great test for her and she passed with only a few curse words for me!
You might get lucky and she'll realize it's okay (most of the time!)

 

[abe]

Tusher Tunnel is pretty easy and the tunnel is pretty neat. Plus, not too far from a dinosaur tracks exhibit.

As others have said, Willow Springs into Arches and you could take a detour to Eye of the Whale and maybe Tower Arch.

Onion Creek is cool. If you follow the trail completely (been a bit so I may be misremembering), it'll turn into a shelf road getting up to the higher elevations. There is enough room to turn around before that.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Seven Mile Rim is pretty chill. Nothing crazy that can't be avoided. Onion Creek is mild, the road is still a shelf? But only several feet to the wash/creek below.

 

[Jakob1972]

As others have said before. Get the Book. I am pretty scared of heights myself being from the Flat land and all. I found Potash to Shaffer switch back to be pretty easy as long as I am going uphill on the switch back I am OK. but they are kinda intense for folks scared of heights, but the road is wide so I was fine. You can turn around before you get to that point, the potash ponds are amazing, so it is worth it. Probably do Dubinky Well, Secret Spire, and other trails in that part of Moab pretty easy driving most of the off roading is at about 45 MPH. There is one spot on Fins n things that I had to get out and think about for a while. Its the part where you have 3 options to get off the fin, I chose the middle one just don't hit the brakes when you get to the bottom and you will be fine, roll through it. Hells Revenge was not bad but we were following someone that has been there before. I did add a front camera to the Bronco for our trip back there at the end of this Month. Hells Gate was fun. Long canyon road is easy but has some shelfs but worth it.

 

[Jakob1972]

If you google Touring Moab's hells revenge in an Everglades you will find and article about our time there.

 

[GAN]

Definitely check out the Eye of the Whale trail that's in Arches NP. It's flat, but sort of rugged. Make sure to stop and do the short walk to the whale arch - you'll have the whole thing to yourself.
Eye of the Whale, Utah | Offroad Trail Guide & Map (We did it in reverse of this guide)

Another trail that would be must-do in your situation is Onion Creek. It's easy, but has some amazing rock formations all the way through the canyon. The road follows the creekbed and is pretty wide: I wouldn't consider it a shelf road: Onion Creek, Utah | Offroad Trail Guide & Map

Onion Creek was a great little run -perfect for the Badlands I rented on Turo.

 

[kevin.gt]

Hurrah Pass. Very easy and beautiful views. It’s the first half of the drive to chicken corners.

 

[the poacher]

Cliffhanger is definitely not a trail that you want to take your wife on. That said, the presenter/driver from Top Gear is an excellent driver on pavement, just not at all on technical trails like Cliffhanger. He certainly did not drive it smoothly or expertly, and so, he made it look way worse that it is is. I would have like to have seen the Jeep representative's face when he returned the vehicle back to him!

 

[Alex Sector]

Another vote for Onion Creek - very easy. We took a last minute trip to Moab last weekend with our dogs. We took our truck and did La Sal Loop, Castleton Tower, Onion Creek and Fisher Towers. My wife really enjoyed Onion Creek. We counted 32 water crossings one way, so 64 total out and back. Other than the parks, we have only done Onion Creek and Potash Road just after Selma and Louise Point.

Selma & Louise Point

Just off La Sal Lookout Point

Near the end of Onion Creek

After end of Onion Creek

 

[GroovyGeek]

Onion Creek - and while you are there go to Fisher Towers. A wonderful hike, but you may want to leave your wife in the parking lot.

CR 142, approach from the east by the Potash ponds. Plan to turn around and drive back out instead of coming out the Schaefer Trail, if you value your life

Chicken Corner

Gemini Bridges

 

[Mjasi3]

Buy this book:

https://www.amazon.com/guide-backroads-trails-FunTreks-Guidebooks/dp/1934838292/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B628AZASLN1B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kr8Uy-jKnDPozjx_iphhkLSJMCWAO8oT0o9t_vEvXc51_PeQAlHtfWmaM3UGpuGGtc2BAyYlHNPUO29kPnPB_c8LAmhIH8btXDnQEQTZUCahs0sX0iow5Qg6qsW3jT1V.zqnSoVr7cjf3efyhsbgIFETE1jsShlwM0MGJHZiQlGM&dib_tag=se&keywords=funtreks+moab&qid=1741277762&sprefix=Funtr,aps,120&sr=8-1

I second this book!, And also a subscription to onX. Both lay everything out nicely.

 

[Big Rig]

Buy this book:

https://www.amazon.com/guide-backroads-trails-FunTreks-Guidebooks/dp/1934838292/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B628AZASLN1B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kr8Uy-jKnDPozjx_iphhkLSJMCWAO8oT0o9t_vEvXc51_PeQAlHtfWmaM3UGpuGGtc2BAyYlHNPUO29kPnPB_c8LAmhIH8btXDnQEQTZUCahs0sX0iow5Qg6qsW3jT1V.zqnSoVr7cjf3efyhsbgIFETE1jsShlwM0MGJHZiQlGM&dib_tag=se&keywords=funtreks+moab&qid=1741277762&sprefix=Funtr,aps,120&sr=8-1

Yes! This book is amazing.

Onion Creek, Dome Plateau, Tusher Tunnel, Secret Spire are some moderate/easy trails without ledge roads.

 

[B22-2023]

- My wife is afraid of heights, so shelf roads are out - she has made this very clear to me ... In addition, she had a surgery a few months back so I don't want her out walking around obstacles if it can be avoided so nothing more than moderate.

First trip to Moab in the Bronco we had this same exact personal situation above on the trip. We did all the “easier” trails mentioned by others here by day, from doing FunTreks research (get the app too)………and by night I took the other stuff (Shafer, Long Canyon, etc.). Beautiful and different experience Moab at night, it draws the attention of the passengers away from really how steep/deep the drop offs are. Just don’t take them back by day if they want to repeat offend…….

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