Off-road Stroller in Zion’s National Park

The Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair as an off-road stroller? You bet. While I’m normally taking adventures with Sam, this time I took my own family on a National Parks road trip in Utah and Arizona.

My kids are 5 and 3 years old. I want to show them from a young age how important it is to spend time outside — and not just hand them a phone to keep them quiet. At this age they’re getting heavy to carry long distances but aren’t strong enough to hike very far. So while I normally call it the all-terrain wheelchair, today it doubles as the Extreme Motus off-road stroller.

My kids are small enough that both can ride at once — one in the seat, one on the front webbing that’s normally a footrest for adult riders. My son loves to sit on the webbing and roll a Hot Wheels car along the front wheel as we cruise down the trail. Pretty sweet setup. The car keeps cruising as long as Dad keeps pushing.

You don’t need to be “extreme” to enjoy an Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair. When you’re walking on a sidewalk or paved path, a chair with a long wheelbase and balloon-tire suspension is dramatically nicer for both the rider and the person pushing.

Canyon Overlook Trail (the warm-up hike)

Earlier in the day we took the kids on the Canyon Overlook Trail — a 1-mile out-and-back at the east end of Zion. The trail is narrow and rocky, with steep drop-offs, so it’s NOT chair-accessible. The kids walked it themselves and only needed a hand in a few exposed spots.

At the top, we were greeted with a magnificent view of the canyon below.

There was even a couple at the top taking wedding photos. The bride was in a beautiful white dress and my 5-year-old daughter thought it was so cool — she wanted to know if they had kissed yet.

Canyon Overlook Trail at a glance:

• Distance: 1 mile round trip
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Elevation gain: 150 feet
• Duration: About 1 hour
• Wheelchair accessible? No — narrow, rocky, exposed drop-offs. Save the chair for Pa’rus.

Turning the all-terrain wheelchair into the family stroller

After Canyon Overlook we headed back through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel for something easier. The little ones had already walked enough for one day, so I converted the off-road wheelchair into an off-road stroller and we hit Pa’rus Trail.

Pa’rus is a paved walking path that winds along the Virgin River and lets the kids see more of Zion National Park than they could on foot. One kid in the seat, one on the footrest. They played with their toys while Mom and Dad pushed.

Why the long wheelbase makes such a difference

If you’ve ever pushed a standard wheelchair (or a cheap stroller) on a sidewalk, you know the short wheelbase makes the chair feel “squirrely.” Every crack in the pavement and every piece of gravel jolts the rider.

The Extreme Motus’s long wheelbase plus low-pressure balloon tires smooths out everything. Sidewalk cracks disappear. Loose gravel feels like nothing. For a child rider it means they can actually relax and look around — not white-knuckle every bump. For the parent pushing, the chair tracks straight and doesn’t fight you on every steering correction.

The Motus shines on the extreme stuff (we’ve taken it through The Narrows, on snowy hills, and into the Pacific) — but it’s just as good for the mild outdoor activities most families actually do.

Pa’rus Trail at a glance

• Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Easy — fully paved
• Elevation gain: Minimal
• Duration: About 1 hour at a leisurely pace
• Trailhead: Zion Canyon Visitor Center
• Wheelchair accessible? Yes — paved, wide, gentle grade. One of the most accessible trails in any National Park.
• Highlights: Virgin River views, the Watchman peak, red rock formations, deer and bird sightings.

Pro tips for Pa’rus with kids:

• Park early at the Visitor Center — the lot fills by 9 AM in summer.
• The trail is great year-round but avoid the hottest part of the day (June–August).
• Pack water and snacks; there’s no shade after the first half-mile.
• If your kid loses interest in walking, the Motus easily handles two small kids at once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair really work as a family stroller?

Yes — it’s actually a better stroller than most jogging strollers for outdoor terrain. The long wheelbase tracks straight, the balloon tires absorb bumps, and the wide seat handles two small kids if needed. We’ve used it on multiple National Parks trips with our 3- and 5-year-olds.

Is Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Pa’rus is fully paved, wide, with a gentle grade and stunning views of the Virgin River and the Watchman. It’s one of the most wheelchair-accessible trails in any U.S. National Park and works equally well for strollers and all-terrain mobility chairs.

Is Canyon Overlook Trail wheelchair accessible?

No. Canyon Overlook is narrow, rocky, with carved sandstone steps and exposed drop-offs. It’s not navigable in any wheelchair, including all-terrain models. For that side of Zion, save it for the foot-mobile members of your group and bring the chair back to Pa’rus.

What’s the maximum weight the Extreme Motus can carry?

The standard Motus supports up to 250 lbs. For two small children riding together (one in the seat and one on the footrest webbing) you’re well within the limit — and easier on the chair than a single adult rider.

What other Zion trails work for strollers or wheelchairs?

Pa’rus Trail (paved, 1.8 miles), the Riverside Walk to the Narrows (paved, 2.2 miles), and the Temple of Sinawava and Court of the Patriarchs viewpoints are all paved and accessible. Beyond those, most Zion trails are too rough for standard strollers and require an all-terrain chair plus a strong pusher.