My family of five had just taken our first few steps onto the Bear Lake Trailhead 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.
About 20 minutes into our hike, the trail became steeper, and we couldn’t 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.
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.
New Accessible Offerings at National Parks
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’s 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.
I reached out to the mountain shop, confirmed the hiker was available, and reserved our park entry time on Recreation.gov.
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.
“For us, it’s about more than equipment; it’s about ensuring that nature belongs to everyone,” says Roman, who has a daughter with disabilities and enjoys using the Cascade Cart with her.
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.
More Accessible Options in U.S. Parks
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 now offer mobility devices to visitors through park-operated lending programs or partnerships with other organizations.
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.
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‑led programs using adaptive equipment.
Bryce Canyon National Park 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.
And, in 2026, Zion National Park launched a program making an all‑terrain wheelchair available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis, made possible through a grant received by the park’s official philanthropic partner, Zion Forever Project. Visitors can find additional information, including a list of recommended trails online and at the park visitor center.
“This program underscores the park’s commitment to reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for all visitors to explore their national parks,” said Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent.
The National Park Service is also working to implement the EXPLORE Act, which was signed into law in 2025 year, and will expand access to public lands and promote opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation. For example, the act emphasizes providing clear and accurate trail information on park websites so visitors who use mobility devices can better understand trail conditions and accessibility.
For families like mine, who love nature, want to explore, and have a family member with a disability, this new trend is a game changer. I can’t wait to check more national parks off our bucket list and enjoy the outdoors without feeling held back.
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