Off the Pavement and Into the Wild: How Adventure Wheelchairs Are Rewriting the Rules of National Park Access
There is a certain cruelty built into the way America has long presented its national parks to visitors with mobility challenges. The sweeping canyon vistas, the red-rock labyrinths, the ancient river corridors — all of it displayed on billboards and in brochures, beckoning families to come explore, while the reality on the ground was often a short paved loop that dead-ended at a parking lot. For tens of millions of Americans living with disabilities, the unspoken message was clear: the wilderness is not for you. That message is finally, decisively, being answered.
A quiet revolution has been unfolding across the National Park Service — one that involves rugged aluminum frames, oversized low-pressure tires, and a growing coalition of manufacturers, nonprofits, park rangers, and private donors who have collectively decided that exclusion from public lands is no longer acceptable. Across the U.S., nearly 30 National Park Service sites now offer mobility devices to visitors through park-operated lending programs or partnerships with other organizations. The pace of expansion is accelerating, and the most dramatic recent chapter has played out in Utah, where the state's iconic canyon country parks have just crossed a milestone that advocates have been working toward for years.
Utah's Mighty Five: A Landmark Moment for Adaptive Access
Few landscapes in North America capture the imagination like Utah's so-called Mighty Five — the cluster of national parks that draws millions of visitors annually to a concentrated stretch of the Colorado Plateau. Slot canyons, hoodoo forests, soaring arches, and some of the most alien geology on Earth define these parks. They are also places that, until very recently, were largely inaccessible to anyone whose mobility kept them on flat, paved ground.
Extreme Motus, a Utah-based manufacturer of all-terrain wheelchairs, is celebrating a milestone in outdoor accessibility: the National Park Service has announced that all-terrain wheelchairs are now available at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks, giving visitors with mobility limitations new opportunities to experience some of America's most iconic landscapes.
Zion National Park was the first in Utah to launch the wheelchair program in August 2026. The rollout to the remaining four parks followed rapidly, with the National Park Service announcing on October 8 that each of the five parks had at least one specialized wheelchair available for public use. The announcement may read like a bureaucratic press release, but for families who have spent years navigating parks on behalf of a child or spouse with a mobility impairment, it represents something far more profound.
The Chair That Makes It Possible
The hardware at the center of this story is worth understanding in detail, because it explains why this category of equipment is generating such enthusiasm. These all-terrain wheelchairs have three large, soft wheels and a frame weighing only 50 pounds, and they allow users to traverse uneven terrain — over sand, rocks, and even steps or ledges on a trail. That last point is critical: traditional manual wheelchairs are essentially useless once the pavement ends, their narrow wheels sinking into sand and catching on every protruding root or rock.
Extreme Motus wheelchairs feature lightweight aluminum frames, oversized low-pressure tires, and a nonmotorized design. Unpaved trails, rocks, and uneven surfaces can prevent traditional wheelchair users from joining family and friends outdoors; Extreme Motus wheelchairs are designed to help overcome those barriers. The chairs require a companion or caregiver to push them, and they feature dual disc brakes, enabling sharper turns, quick stops, and the ability to lock in place so passengers can enjoy a view without the chair rolling away on an incline.
The GRIT Freedom Chair, meanwhile, represents a different philosophy — one focused on user independence. Designed by MIT engineers, the GRIT Freedom Chair is the hiking wheelchair trusted by independent adventurers, wounded veterans, adaptive athletes, clinicians, and families chasing the outdoors together. The GRIT Freedom Chair is a lever-driven wheelchair with rugged mountain bike wheels and a big, sturdy front wheel that doesn't get stuck; instead of grabbing onto the wheels directly, users push levers forward to propel themselves. This lever-drive system is a genuine engineering breakthrough — it gives users far more mechanical advantage than the standard push-rim design, allowing stronger propulsion on rough, resistance-heavy surfaces like gravel, packed dirt, or grass.
The all-terrain wheelchair is nonmotorized and requires an assistant to push the chair in companion-operated models; officials say they can be borrowed for single-day use at no charge. That zero-cost access point is perhaps the most important feature of all — removing the financial barrier that would otherwise make adaptive outdoor recreation the exclusive province of wealthy families.
How to Borrow One
The logistics vary by park, and visitors should plan accordingly. Each of Utah's five national parks has its own procedures for borrowing an all-terrain wheelchair, and because the chairs are manually operated and not suitable for every trail, visitors should review each park's accessibility guidance before making the trip. Bryce Canyon National Park recently acquired two Extreme Motus Off-Road Wheelchairs, and the chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed by visiting the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Calling ahead — or checking each park's official NPS page — is strongly advised, especially during peak season when demand is likely to outstrip supply.
Beyond Utah: A Nationwide Trend Gathering Steam
The Utah achievement is the most visible headline, but the movement stretches from the Great Lakes shoreline to the Appalachian highlands. The availability of track chairs, backpacks, hikers, and other equipment that helps people with disabilities enjoy national parks is a growing trend that has been quietly building for years, driven by a patchwork of nonprofits, conservation organizations, and individual park units determined to find creative solutions without waiting for top-down mandates.
Indiana Dunes: A Model for Multi-Device Programs
Indiana Dunes National Park has an adaptive program with free assistive equipment, including two Freedom Trax — a motorized off-road attachment for manual wheelchairs — a Zoom chair, and a Hippocampe Blue Blazer off-road wheelchair. They also offer ranger-led programs using adaptive equipment. The Indiana Dunes model is notable for its variety: rather than committing to a single manufacturer or device type, the park has assembled a toolkit that can serve visitors with different levels of mobility impairment, different upper-body strength, and different companion situations. That flexibility is something other parks are watching closely.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Where a Former Ranger Found His Way Back
Rocky Mountain National Park's entry into the adaptive wheelchair space carries a particularly resonant human story. "I worked as a climbing ranger here at RMNP for many seasons doing search and rescue," Brett told 9News in Denver. "In 2017, I fell while rock climbing in Yosemite National Park and broke my back." His story — from climbing ranger to park visitor dependent on adaptive equipment — encapsulates the mission in a single life. Rocky Mountain's program now helps visitors like him reconnect with landscapes they once navigated on their own terms.
In addition to adaptive hiking equipment, the mountain shop at Rocky Mountain also has six GRIT Freedom all-terrain wheelchairs, two backpacks from We Carry Kevan, and one XL bike/stroller combo from WIKE, which comes with a complimentary electric bike rental to pull the trailer, available for rent. The We Carry Kevan backpack system — designed to carry a person with a disability on a companion's back — may be the most striking piece of gear in this growing arsenal, enabling access on trails where even the most capable off-road chair cannot go.
Many of these parks, like Rocky Mountain National Park or the Great Sand Dunes National Park, still have limited supplies, meaning folks are encouraged to make reservations if they want to get in on the action. The supply constraint is real, but it is also a problem that parks have been solving by securing additional funding through conservation friends groups and private donors.
Cuyahoga Valley: Community-Funded Access
Not every park has a high-profile corporate donor or a well-funded friends organization. The Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park launched a free all-terrain wheelchair lending program made possible through the Open Trail Collective, which raised money to buy a GRIT Freedom Chair (Spartan model). "This new program opens the door for more people to enjoy Cuyahoga Valley National Park," said Kimberly LoVano, Director of Programs and Engagement at the Conservancy for CVNP. "We are excited to partner with Open Trail Collective to make outdoor access more welcoming and possible for our community." The grassroots funding model — community members pooling resources to buy a single chair — represents a democratic approach to adaptive access that can work even in parks with lean operating budgets.
The Great Smokies: Where Adaptive Means More Than a Chair
Perhaps the most ambitious adaptive program in the NPS right now is unfolding in America's most-visited national park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has moved beyond simply providing equipment; it has built a full-spectrum adaptive experience that takes visitors into terrain most people assume is permanently off-limits to anyone with a mobility disability.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee launched its first adaptive program in 2023 with three adaptive hikes, an adaptive bike program, and a GRIT chair. The success of that initial season set the template for expansion. Between June and October of the following season, visitors could expect seven engaging events: three hikes, two mountain bike rides, one kayak trip, and one night of camping in the beloved park.
The overnight backcountry camping component deserves special attention. Backcountry travel — the kind that requires permits, bear canisters, and significant physical effort — has historically been the most exclusive corner of outdoor recreation, even among able-bodied visitors. The Smokies program punches through that wall entirely. These programs are more than outdoor excursions; they're immersive experiences that connect people to places beyond the pavement, and participants explore the park's rugged terrain using GRIT Freedom Chairs, adaptive mountain bikes, and kayaks.
The institutional scaffolding that makes it work is a web of partnerships. The National Park Service, in partnership with Catalyst Sports, Knox County, Kampgrounds of America Foundation, and Friends of the Smokies, expanded adaptive ranger-led programs. A key partner in this effort is Catalyst Sports, a nonprofit dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for people with physical disabilities. "These programs connect individuals with nature, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship," said Eric Gray, CEO of Catalyst Sports. "Expanding offerings and experiences will enhance inclusion for all."
The trail assessment work that preceded the program reveals just how seriously the park took the initiative. The first step was to measure the trails for key metrics like width, incline, and obstacles so people with disabilities could make informed decisions about where to go — and Smokies staff spent more than 150 hours over two months conducting site visits to assess the park's trails. That kind of institutional investment signals that this is not a feel-good press release — it is a systematic operational overhaul.
The numbers from the inaugural season were telling. In 2023, the park received a grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation that allowed it to purchase two GRIT Freedom Chairs, capable of crossing streams and navigating rocks and roots, and the adventures drew a total of 220 people, including 44 people using adaptive technologies. For context: 44 people experiencing terrain they had never been able to reach before, in a single season, at a single park. Multiply that across 30 sites and multiple seasons, and the cumulative human impact becomes significant.
How the Smokies Wheelchair Checkout Works
The park offers a mobility device checkout program featuring the GRIT Freedom Chair — an all-terrain wheelchair suitable for select park trails. Adult and child-sized chairs can be used by individuals with core body strength and head control. GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for checkout, at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis at Sugarlands Visitor Center and Oconaluftee Visitor Center from November to April, or by reservation from May through October, made three to 30 business days in advance.
After registration, a staff member will reach out to verify the chairs meet the person's needs and abilities, and then a volunteer will be assigned to meet at the chosen trail, ensuring the person is comfortable with the equipment before embarking. Wheelchair users can bring their own trail buddy or hike with the volunteer. That last detail — the volunteer companion option — addresses one of the less-discussed barriers to adaptive outdoor recreation: the assumption that every person with a disability has an able-bodied friend or family member available and willing to spend a day on a rocky trail.
The Legislative Push: EXPLORE Act and Beyond
The on-the-ground progress happening at individual parks is now being reinforced at the federal legislative level. The National Park Service is working to implement the EXPLORE Act, which was signed into law in 2025 and will expand access to public lands and promote opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation — for example, the act emphasizes providing clear and accurate trail information on park websites so visitors who use mobility devices can better understand trail conditions and accessibility.
The EXPLORE Act aligns with the Department's efforts by prioritizing accessibility enhancements for people with disabilities, programs for military servicemembers and veterans, and initiatives for youth access. Title II, Subtitle A of the EXPLORE Act includes provisions aimed at improving access to Federal lands and waters for people with disabilities.
These provisions direct the Department to conduct comprehensive accessibility assessments of outdoor recreation opportunities and trails and to share the results of those assessments publicly — information that will empower people with disabilities to make informed decisions about where and how they can take advantage of recreation opportunities. Subtitle A also calls for expanding accessible trails and recreational opportunities, as well as implementing a Trail Partnership Pilot Program to evaluate, enhance, and expand trail experiences for individuals who use assistive technologies.
The National Park Service collaborated with disability organizations to identify national parks across the country where adding accessible recreation opportunities and trails will have the greatest impact for visitors with disabilities. That data-driven targeting means future investments are more likely to land where the need is highest, rather than simply where the most vocal advocacy exists.
The military and veteran angle of the EXPLORE Act is worth underscoring. Nearly five million veterans — or 27 percent of all former servicemembers — live with a service-connected disability. While outdoor activity has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, national parks often lack adequate accessible trails, activities, and lodging for those with disabilities. These are men who were told their bodies made them uniquely qualified for the most demanding physical environments on earth, then returned home to find the trails of their own country closed to them. The adaptive access movement gives them a direct route back.
Who Funds It, Who Builds It, and Why It's Working
The patchwork funding model that underlies these programs is both their greatest strength and their most significant vulnerability. No single funding stream has driven the expansion; instead, it has emerged from a coalition of sources. Partnerships and contributions from organizations including Zion Forever Project, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, the Outdoor Access Project, private donors, and individual national park units made the new wheelchairs in Utah possible.
The programs and two GRIT Freedom Chairs at the Smokies were made possible through a grant from National Environmental Education Foundation, with major funding support from Toyota Motor North America. That a major automaker is bankrolling off-road wheelchair programs at national parks is an interesting cultural signal — one that suggests the outdoor recreation and adaptive access space is becoming attractive to corporate sponsors who see it as consistent with their brand identity.
The manufacturers themselves are active participants, not passive vendors. Utah-based Extreme Motus said the milestone of equipping all five Utah national parks reflects broader efforts to make outdoor recreation more accessible. "Being outdoors, exploring a trail, taking in a view or simply experiencing nature, is special," said Michael Painter, CEO of Extreme Motus. "Mobility challenges have made those experiences difficult or impossible for too many families. Having our wheelchairs at all five Utah national parks is a meaningful step toward giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors."
The Scale of the Need — and the Opportunity
Numbers give the stakes their proper weight. With one in four Americans living with a disability, these programs are more than just recreational — they're transformative. The outdoor recreation industry has long understood itself to be a massive economic engine, but it has historically failed to account for a quarter of the population that wanted to participate and couldn't. Every adaptive wheelchair parked at a visitor center represents a family that might now book a hotel room in gateway communities, rent bikes, buy gear, and spend money at restaurants that otherwise would not have seen their business.
Traditional wheelchairs can be difficult to use on dirt paths, sand, rocks, and other rugged surfaces, potentially limiting participation in outdoor activities. That limitation has had cascading effects — not just for individuals, but for the parks themselves, which have largely been designed around a visitor archetype that excludes a huge portion of the potential audience. Adaptive equipment programs challenge that archetype directly.
Ideal for those with disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, late-stage ALS, or Traumatic Brain Injuries, the Motus chair unites families in the great outdoors. The range of conditions served by these chairs is worth noting: the adaptive access movement is not just for veterans or people with spinal cord injuries. It serves children and adults with a wide spectrum of diagnoses, and it serves their families — the parents, siblings, and partners who have previously had to choose between leaving someone behind or forgoing the trail altogether.
What Families and Adventurers Should Know Right Now
For anyone planning a trip with a family member or friend who uses a wheelchair, the landscape of options looks meaningfully different today than it did even two years ago. The Utah parks are the most dramatic new development, but they represent the tip of a very large iceberg. The Smokies, Indiana Dunes, Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, and Cuyahoga Valley are all in the program — and the list is growing.
Planning ahead remains essential. Each park has its own procedures for borrowing an all-terrain wheelchair, and supply is limited at most locations. Chair availability, trail suitability assessments, and reservation windows vary widely. The NPS website for each individual park is the most reliable source of current information, and calling the visitor center directly before a trip is strongly recommended during busy seasons.
Trail accessibility varies based on factors such as elevation gain, surface type, trail width, grade, cross slope, overall distance, and individual abilities — and each visitor's abilities and needs are unique, so reviewing detailed trail descriptions, photos, and maps to determine which trails are best suited for a specific experience and equipment type is critical. An all-terrain wheelchair that handles packed gravel beautifully may still struggle on a trail with prolonged steep grades, so advance research is not just recommended — it's necessary for a safe and successful outing.
The broader message, though, is one of accelerating momentum. The combination of dedicated manufacturers, engaged nonprofits, congressional legislation, corporate funding, and individual park-level leadership has produced a movement that is expanding faster than anyone predicted even a few years ago. The expansion is part of the agency's broader work to improve access to public lands and create more opportunities for people of all abilities to experience national parks. That sentence, dry as it reads in a federal press release, describes something genuinely historic: the systematic dismantling of one of the last great outdoor exclusions in American public life. The trailhead is open. The chair is waiting.
