The National Park Service has expanded accessibility options across Southern Utah with the addition of all-terrain wheelchairs at five of the region’s most popular national parks.
Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches national parks now each have at least one specialized wheelchair available for visitors who have limited access to unpaved trails. The chairs are designed to help visitors experience more of the parks beyond paved pathways and developed areas.
Wheelchairs Built for Rough Terrain
The all-terrain chairs feature three large, soft wheels and a lightweight frame that weighs about 50 pounds. Their design allows passengers to travel across surfaces that can be difficult to navigate with conventional wheelchairs, including sand, rocks, uneven ground and certain steps or ledges.
The chairs are non-motorized, meaning another person must operate the chair and move the passenger along the trail. They are equipped with dual disc brakes that allow operators to make sharper turns, stop quickly and lock the chair in place when visitors want to stop and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
The National Park Service said the new equipment is intended to provide more opportunities for visitors of different abilities to experience the natural and cultural resources found throughout Southern Utah.
“The National Park Service is committed to offering experiences that not only improve visitor access but create opportunities to connect deeply with the history, culture, and natural wonder of some of our incredible parks in Utah.” – Deputy Regional Director Jordan Hoaglund.
Free Access at Five National Parks
The chairs are being provided free of charge through partnerships involving organizations including the Zion Forever Project, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks and Outdoor Access Project. Private donors and funding from individual national park units also contributed to the effort.
The chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, although supplies are limited. Visitors interested in using one should contact the individual park before their trip to learn about reservations, available chairs, eligible trails and other accessibility services.
The program is part of the National Park Service’s broader effort to improve access and create additional opportunities for people of all abilities to experience Utah’s national parks.