All-Terrain Wheelchairs Are Coming to National Parks So Anyone Can Go Anywhere

Go-anywhere capability shouldn’t be limited to vehicles with engines (or motors) and steering wheels. The same physics apply to wheelchairs, which makes the problem of traversing rough terrain even more acute for people who rely on them to go any distance, not just long ones. That’s especially the case in national parks, which are supposed to exist for the enjoyment of everyone but, by design, don’t have much mobility infrastructure.

The National Park Service is trying to address that with all-terrain wheelchairs at some parks. Rentals began at Zion National Park in Utah this past August, according to a post on the park’s official Instagram account, and as of this writing they’re available at Arches National Park (also located in Utah, just outside Moab) as well, per that park’s website. They’re available on a first-come, first-served basis only, and require ID from the user or an assistant, proof of insurance, and a brief training session from a park ranger.

Manufactured by Extreme Motus (itself based in Utah), the chairs certainly look cool with their big tires and seats that wouldn’t be out of place in a Baja race truck. The distinctive reclined seating position allows for a 47-inch wheelbase that helps increase stability. Their full length is 72 inches, but the chairs can fold down to 30 inches by pulling two quick-release pins. They weigh 55 pounds without a person onboard, but the company claims that’s light enough to float in “shallow water.”

However, these wheelchairs probably won’t be a workable solution for everybody. They’re unpowered, and because they don’t have push rings for their wheels, that means the user will likely be getting pushed around by someone else. There are handlebars on the back of the chair, but moving its 55 pounds plus the weight of a person (versions rated for up to 250 pounds are available, according to the company’s website) is a job for a person in decent shape on unpaved trails in the rugged Utah wilderness.

For some wheelchair users and their families, friends, or aides, though, all-terrain wheelchair rentals could be a helpful addition to national parks. The Extreme Motus chairs retail for $4,500 each, and it’s entirely possible to spend similar money on conventional wheelchairs without insurance coverage or subsidies. It’s not like many people can simply buy their own for occasional use alongside their regular chair. And as with airports, some people may need one for this specific situation, but not at other times.

For other users, power chairs with tracks also exist. The State of Michigan began offering them to visitors at some of its state parks in 2021, and my colleague Andrew P. Collins previously wrote about a non-profit using them for off-road adventures in New York State, alongside an XJ Cherokee with hand controls. Each solution has its pros and cons, but what’s important is continuing to lower any barriers to enjoying the outdoors that people with disabilities experience.