Zion National Park visitors with mobility challenges now have a new way to experience various park trails through the availability of a free all-terrain wheelchair, according to a report published August 19.
The park is offering an Extreme Motus adventure wheelchair from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. This three-wheeled manual chair is designed to navigate terrain that is often difficult or impossible for conventional wheelchairs to traverse.
The chair requires an assistant to push and is available on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. It can be checked out for one day and must be returned before the visitor center closes.
Before use, the rider and assistant must receive an orientation from park staff and sign waivers. Additionally, either the rider or the assistant must provide proof of insurance and identification. The chair can accommodate riders up to six feet tall and weighing up to 250 pounds.
Zion recommends the chair for use on the Riverside Walk, Pa’rus Trail, Weeping Rock, and Lower Emerald Pools. While permitted on several backcountry and frontcountry trails, the chair is not suitable for use on Angels Landing, the Narrows, Canyon Overlook, or Upper Emerald Pools.
Because the assembled chair is approximately six feet long and cannot be carried on Zion shuttle buses, users may receive an accessibility pass to allow a private vehicle onto Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during shuttle season.
The equipment was provided through 2LIV4, a nonprofit organization that places adaptive outdoor equipment in public spaces, with Utah-based Extreme Motus supplying the chair.
According to Extreme Motus, the wheelchair is permanently stationed at Zion for public use. Further details regarding checkout requirements and approved trails are available on the Zion National Park website.
