The Rules of the Off-Road

Before I got behind the wheel of a 4×4 with Outlaw Jeep Tours, I didn’t quite fully understand what it meant to go off-roading.

What I knew I had learned from Jeep ads, where four-wheeling meant traversing scenic backwoods and splashing through at least one puddle. The trails were always lonely, the cars magically pristine, and adventures began only where the road conveniently ended.

Here in Moab, Utah, though, all roads lead to something else entirely: slickrock, the rugged sandstone that’s made this dusty red town a destination for adrenaline junkies around the globe. Here, off-roading is life. And unlike those stock car commercials, that’s not an overstatement.

If you ever find yourself in Moab, 4x4ing is a must. Take it from us: we came, we drove and we conquered.

Here’s what they don’t tell you: it’s exhausting. Successfully negotiating obstacles is as much about technical finesse behind the wheel as it is the power behind your rig. And once you get the hang of it, it’s the best way to savor the beauty of the American Southwest, even when you’re inching through a tight ridge with 1,000-foot-drops on both sides.

Only then will you understand what it means to go off-roading.