THE WIRE · UPDATED 9:02 AM MDT No story is too small.
Multi-SourceStatewide

Zion National Park Launches All-Terrain Wheelchair for Improved Trail Access

Official source This story comes from an official government or institutional source. How it was made ↓
Zion National Park Launches All-Terrain Wheelchair for Improved Trail Access
Photo via Utah News Staff from 2 sources
Zion National Park has implemented the Extreme Motus, an all-terrain wheelchair designed to help visitors with mobility challenges access more of the park's trails. The chair is available for single-day use at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis.

Key takeaways

  • Zion National Park offers the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair to increase trail accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
  • The chair requires an assistant to push the user as it is not self-powered.
  • Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center without reservations.
  • Users receive an accessibility pass to drive on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive because the chair is too large for the shuttle.
  • The chair must be returned the same day it is checked out before the visitor center closes.

Zion National Park has introduced the Extreme Motus, an all-terrain wheelchair designed to help visitors with mobility challenges and disabilities access a wider variety of the park's trails, according to the U.S. National Park Service. The program, which was active as of Aug. 17, 2026, allows users to explore areas such as Weeping Rock through specialized equipment available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

Equipment Requirements and Access

The Extreme Motus chair is specifically designed for rugged terrain, though it requires an assistant to push the user, as the chair cannot be powered by the user. The U.S. National Park Service stated that the equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the park does not accept reservations for the chair.

Checkout and Training Process

To use the chair, both the user and the assistant must complete a waiver before departure. The National Park Service requires that either the user or the assistant present a valid ID and proof of insurance at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center information desk. Once the paperwork is processed, a park ranger will provide a brief training session and review a checklist of the chair's features with both individuals.

Transportation and Scenic Drive Access

Because the length of the Extreme Motus chair prevents it from fitting on the Zion Canyon Shuttle, the park provides an accessibility pass for those using the equipment. This pass allows users and their assistants to drive and park on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during the shuttle bus season.

Rental Limitations and Policies

The rental process is limited to single-day use. All Extreme Motus chairs must be returned to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center before the facility closes on the same day they were checked out. The National Park Service noted that they cannot provide storage for personal wheelchairs during the rental period.

Park Contact Information

Zion National Park is located at 1 Zion Park Blvd. in Springdale, Utah. For inquiries, the park offers recorded information 24 hours a day, while rangers are available to answer calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, though availability may vary if rangers are assisting other visitors.

Sources used (2)

  • www.nps.govOfficialExtreme Motus - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
  • go.nps.govOfficialExtreme Motus - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

How this story was made

5 sources gathered

Coverage collected from the outlets listed above. · August 26, 2026

Written by AI

Utah News AI (on-device model) · August 26, 2026

Quality checks

Passed editorial quality review (100/100)

Published

6 min ago · August 26, 2026

This story was written by AI from the public sources listed above and passed automated quality review before publishing.

Article details

CategoryMulti-Source
ToneNeutral
SourceAI Generated