NPS adds 5 all-terrain wheelchairs to Utah parks

The National Park Service will distribute a new set of all-terrain wheelchairs to the five national parks in southern Utah. The agency announced the rollout earlier this month, ending a process that began in a Payson warehouse.

The equipment is built by Extreme Motus, a company located off Interstate 15. The project started in 2019 when Ryan Grassley and Sam Durst began testing the chairs. Durst was born with cerebral palsy, which had limited his access to outdoor trails during his upbringing in Springville.

Grassley and Durst have known each other since high school. Grassley recalled trips with a scout leader to national parks where Durst often stayed in the vehicle because of a lack of sidewalks. The two first tested the wheelchair on the Delicate Arch trail at Arches National Park. Durst described the moment of seeing the view as cool, while Grassley noted he became emotional at the sight.

Since then, the duo has documented their travels across the country, including visits to Zion and Bryce Canyon. Grassley, who serves as the company's chief marketing officer, reported that their social media channels received approximately 300 million views last year. That visibility helped attract the attention of the National Park Service.

Grassley said the process involved securing budget funds and determining where the chairs would be stored and checked out. Durst's nephew, Drew, assists with videography and building the chairs. Drew stated that he believes the product helps bring people together.

The checkout process varies by location, and each park maintains a specific list of trails approved for the equipment. Grassley advised visitors to speak with park rangers when planning trips to confirm which routes are safe for the wheelchairs.

The five parks in southern Utah are commonly referred to as the Mighty Five. The new equipment allows visitors with mobility challenges to access trails that were previously off-limits. The chairs are manual and designed for rough terrain.