Zion National Park Adds All-Terrain Wheelchair for Accessible Trails

Zion National Park in Utah has introduced the Extreme Motus, a specialized all-terrain wheelchair aimed at making the park more accessible for people with mobility issues. It’s actually the first national park in the U.S. to provide this type of equipment for public use. This non-motorized wheelchair, which needs someone to push it, features large wheels and a longer frame to handle rough paths, steep hills, and sandy spots. Thanks to donations from the nonprofit 2Live4, visitors can borrow it for free at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, with a quick training session included. It's perfect for trails like Pa'rus Trail, Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pools, and Weeping Rock. However, since it's 6 feet long, it can't fit on shuttle buses, so users get an accessibility pass for driving during shuttle season. This effort is part of Zion's broader goal to boost accessibility and might inspire similar projects in other parks. For more information, check the National Park Service's website.