Free All-Terrain Wheelchairs at Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks (2026 Guide)
All five of Utah’s national parks now offer free all-terrain wheelchairs
As of October 8, 2026, every one of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef) keeps at least one Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair at the visitor center, free to borrow for the day.
With free all-terrain wheelchairs in every park, a family can now roll past the end of the pavement in all five parks without bringing their own off-road chair, renting a trailer, or rearranging the whole trip around a single paved overlook.
We build these chairs by hand in Payson, Utah, a few hours’ drive north of those parks. Seeing them parked behind ranger desks across southern Utah is, frankly, a little surreal.
What the National Park Service announced
On October 8, 2026, the National Park Service announced that Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches each have at least one all-terrain wheelchair available to visitors at no charge (NPS news release).
Zion went first. In August 2026 it stationed an Extreme Motus chair at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, making it the first U.S. national park to own this kind of accessibility equipment for public use (KSL). The other four followed within about two months.
“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.”
Jordan Hoaglund, Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service
The chairs are free to support Secretary’s Order 3426, and they exist because a lot of people pitched in. NPS credits Zion Forever Project, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, Outdoor Access Project, private donors, and funding from the individual parks.
How to borrow an all-terrain wheelchair at each park
Borrowing one of the free all-terrain wheelchairs works the same way everywhere: walk up to the visitor center information desk, no reservations, first come, first served, and return the chair before the visitor center closes that same day.
| Park | Where to ask | Chairs | Park-specific notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion | Zion Canyon Visitor Center | 1 | The first park in the country to own one; single-day checkout |
| Bryce Canyon | Bryce Canyon Visitor Center | 1 | Too long for the park shuttle, so rangers issue an accessibility pass to park at Bryce Amphitheater trailheads; rangers review approved trails (the Rim Trail near Bryce Point is one) |
| Capitol Reef | Capitol Reef Visitor Center | 2 | Use your own vehicle to get to trailheads; don’t leave the chair unattended |
| Arches | Visitor center information desk | At least 1 | Call ahead to confirm availability and eligible trails |
| Canyonlands | Visitor center information desk | At least 1 | Call ahead to confirm which district holds the chair and which trails are approved |
What to bring
- ID and proof of insurance. Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef require one or the other of you to show both; the parks don’t specify what type of insurance, so call ahead if you’re unsure. Arches and Canyonlands haven’t posted their checkout rules yet, so check with the visitor center before you go.
- Both of you. The rider and the person pushing each sign a waiver.
- A little extra time. A ranger walks you through the chair and a features checklist before you head out.
Each park keeps its own list of trails approved for the chair, so ask the ranger before you pick a route. Inventory is small, so call the park before you drive in.
What the chair can (and can’t) do
The Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair handles sand, slickrock, gravel, roots and even some steps and ledges, but it’s built for two people working together, not solo travel.
- Three big, soft, low-pressure tires that float over sand instead of digging in.
- About 50 pounds, on a lightweight aluminum frame.
- Dual disc brakes, so the assistant can make sharp turns, stop fast, and lock the chair in place when it’s time to just sit and stare at a canyon.
- Non-motorized. Someone has to push. That’s a feature for the dirt and a limitation worth knowing about before you plan your day. Steep trails will need a team of helpers pushing and pulling the chair up the trail.
It also won’t make every trail in a park accessible. Rangers will steer you toward routes that suit the chair, and that’s advice worth taking.
If you want your own chair for trips outside the Mighty 5, our 2026 price guide breaks down the costs.
How a couple of best friends got chairs into five national parks
This started with my best friend Sam and a lot of red dirt. When we teamed up with Extreme Motus in 2019, Arches was one of our very first trips, and we’ve been hauling the chair across Utah’s parks ever since.
In April 2024, Sam and I went to the Utah State Capitol to make the case for putting an Extreme Motus chair in every one of the state’s national parks (KSL). Two and a half years later, it happened.
The best moments have been the unplanned ones. We were standing outside the visitor center, showing rangers how the chair works, when a family walked by and wanted in. That’s the whole point: the chair is just a way to get everybody to the same viewpoint at the same time.
We’re proud that Outdoor Access Project, the nonprofit I run, is one of the partners NPS credited. Huge thanks to Zion Forever Project, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, the private donors who chipped in, and the rangers who now have one more piece of gear to explain at the front desk.
“Utah’s Mighty 5 shows what’s possible when organizations share a commitment to accessibility.”
Kenny Jardine, Chief Business Development Officer, Extreme Motus
In the news
The announcement traveled well beyond Utah. A sampling of the coverage, newest first:
- FOX 13 (KSTU): Utah County company brings all-terrain wheelchairs to Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’
- PR Newswire: Utah-Based Extreme Motus Expands Outdoor Accessibility as All-Terrain Wheelchairs Become Available at All Five Utah National Parks
- Outdoor Insight (UK): Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchairs Now Available at All Five Utah National Parks
- Gadget Review: Utah National Parks Launch Free All-Terrain Wheelchair Loans
- TownLift: All-terrain wheelchairs now available at all five Utah national parks
- ABC4 Utah: Free all-terrain wheelchairs arrive at Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks
- National Park Service: Official news release, October 8, 2026
- KSL: Zion becomes first national park to get all-terrain wheelchair for public use
FAQ
Which Utah national parks have all-terrain wheelchairs?
All five: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Each has at least one Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair, and Capitol Reef has two.
How much does it cost to borrow one?
Nothing. These are free all-terrain wheelchairs, loaned at no charge for single-day use.
Can I reserve an all-terrain wheelchair in advance?
No. Every park loans its free all-terrain wheelchairs first come, first served. Call the park ahead of time to check availability.
What do I need to check one out?
A signed waiver from both the rider and the assistant, plus an ID and proof of insurance from one of you. A ranger gives a short training before you go.
Can I use the chair by myself?
No. The chair is non-motorized and needs an assistant to push it.
Can I take the chair on the park shuttle?
At Bryce Canyon it doesn’t fit, so rangers provide an accessibility pass to drive to trailheads. At Capitol Reef you transport it in your own vehicle. Ask the ranger at each park.
Which national park got one first?
Zion National Park, in August 2026. It was the first U.S. national park to own this type of accessibility equipment for public use.
Go use them
The best thing you can do for these free all-terrain wheelchairs is check one out. Every borrowed chair tells park staff there’s demand, and demand is how a single loaner turns into two, then five.
Heading to a Mighty 5 park? Tag us when you take one out. And if you run a park, trail system, camp or community that wants a chair of its own, get in touch and we’ll help you figure out what fits.
How it all started - Meet Sam & Ryan
Since 2019, Sam and Ryan have been demonstrating that nature is wheelchair accessible with the Extreme Motus All Terrain Wheelchair. From National Parks to Skateparks, their adventures prove that a manual off-road wheelchair can offer laughter and joy while navigating diverse terrains.
Join us as we continue to share these inspiring journeys.
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