Extreme Motus in Zion National Park

Slow walkers and wheelchair-users who want to explore a few of the more challenging trails in Zion National Park, can now borrow an Extreme Motus wheelchair. This wheelchair has a long wheelbase for maximum stability and is fitted with three balloon tires to absorb bumps on the rougher trails. It has a maximum user weight of 250 pounds and a maximum user height of 6 feet. And although the Extreme Motus gives folks a smoother ride over difficult terrain, it cannot be operated independently, so you’ll need someone to assist you if you borrow it.

The chair can be checked-out at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center on a first-come first-serve basis. A valid ID and proof of insurance is required to borrow the chair, and a brief training is provided to all users. Additionally, since the park shuttle cannot accommodate the Extreme Motus, visitors who borrow this all terrain wheelchair will also be given a pass to drive their own vehicle up Zion Canyon. And as an aside, if you have a disability that prevents you from taking the shuttle (larger wheelchair, oxygen, extra medical equipment) you can also get a pass to drive your personal vehicle up Zion Canyon (emerginghorizons.com/driving-passes-for-disabled-national-park-visitors/) even if you don’t borrow the Extreme Motus.

So where can you go with the Extreme Motus in Zion National Park? Well of course you can do the Pa’rus Trail, but to be honest you can do that in a regular wheelchair. You might want to try it on the Riverside Walk, as sometimes that trail gets rough from the extreme weather conditions. Other suggestions are the Weeping Rock Trail and Lower Emerald Pools, although you may want to have a little extra help on those. You can also give most of park’s inaccessible intermediate trails a try; however you cannot go on the more dangerous and challenging trails like the Zion Narrows or Angels Landing.

So give the Extreme Motus in Zion National Park a try on your next visit. You won’t be sorry!