Published October 15, 2026 03:46AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
My family of five had just taken our first few steps onto the Bear Lake Trailhead<\/a> at Rocky Mountain National Park, and we were already immersed in nature, the evergreen trees looming overhead, the lake glistening in the background. I breathed in the crisp air and, for the next few minutes, we followed the wide, flat trail surrounded by mountains.<\/p>\n About 20 minutes into our hike, the trail became steeper, and we couldn\u2019t continue forward without going up a few steps. My middle son is disabled and uses a wheelchair, so usually, when a trail becomes bumpy or more rugged, we turn back. This time, my husband secured his footing, stepped forward, and pulled my son, who was seated in a Cascade Tandem Hiking Cart, or off-road adaptive cart, up the steps.<\/p>\n Adrenaline rushed through me as the hiker carried my son deeper into the woods, the rest of my family picking up the pace behind them. We soon came across another set of steps and navigated them more easily. Another half-mile later, we stopped to explore a brook glimmering in the sun, and I looked out at the mountain peaks, feeling a new sense of accomplishment and hope.<\/p>\n A few weeks before our trip, my husband and I considered purchasing a Cascade Cart to bring with us on vacation. When we contacted their customer service department, I was excited to learn that a local charity, Avery\u2019s Light, had recently donated two Cascade Carts to Estes Park Mountain Shop, located about ten minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, and that we could borrow one at no cost.<\/p>\n I reached out to the mountain shop, confirmed the hiker was available, and reserved our park entry time on Recreation.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the morning of our first day at the park, Rio Roman, an employee at the Estes Park Mountain Shop, spent almost an hour showing us how to assemble, use and disassemble the hiker. He also mapped out the best trails to take it on, including the popular Bear Lake Trail, making our trip more enjoyable and memorable than ever.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, it\u2019s about more than equipment; it\u2019s about ensuring that nature belongs to everyone,\u201d says Roman, who has a daughter with disabilities and enjoys using the Cascade Cart with her.<\/p>\n In addition to the two hikers, the mountain shop also has six GRIT Freedom all-terrain wheelchairs, two backpacks from We Carry Kevan, and one XL bike\/stroller combo from WIKE, which comes with a complimentary electric bike rental to pull the trailer, available for rent.<\/p>\n The availability of track chairs, backpacks, hikers, and other equipment that helps people with disabilities enjoy national parks is a growing trend. As of this fall, all five Utah national parks offer all-terrain wheelchairs. And across the U.S., nearly 30 National Park Service sites<\/a> now offer mobility devices to visitors through park-operated lending programs or partnerships with other organizations.<\/p>\n For example, Indiana Dunes National Park has an adaptive program with free assistive equipment, including two Freedom Trax, a motorized off-road attachment for manual wheelchairs, a Zoom chair, and a Hippocampe Blue Blazer off-road wheelchair.<\/p>\n Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee launched its first adaptive program in 2023 with three adaptive hikes, an adaptive bike program, and a GRIT chair. The park also partners with Catalyst Sports and Friends of the Smokies to add a Cascade Tandem Hiking Cart, a Rough Rider Aurora, and a Black Diamond TrailRider to its offerings, which can be used on approximately 14 miles of trails throughout the park. They also offer ranger\u2011led programs<\/a> using adaptive equipment.<\/p>\n Bryce Canyon National Park<\/a> recently acquired two Extreme Motus Off-Road Wheelchairs. The chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed by visiting the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.<\/p>\n And, in 2026, Zion National Park launched a program making an all\u2011terrain wheelchair available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis, made possible through a grant received by the park\u2019s official philanthropic partner, Zion Forever Project. Visitors can find additional information, including a list of recommended trails online and at the park visitor center.<\/p>\n \u201cThis program underscores the park\u2019s commitment to reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for all visitors to explore their national parks,\u201d said Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent.<\/p>\nNew Accessible Offerings at National Parks<\/h2>\n
More Accessible Options in U.S. Parks<\/h2>\n