Mobility Devices

Visitor enjoying the Emerald Pools hike using his Mountain Trike in Zion National Park

Courtesy Dave Gillespie

Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids

Many kinds of devices improve mobility for the 1-in-4 Americans with a disability; from walkers, canes, crutches, or braces to traditional manual or power wheelchairs to off-road mobility wheelchairs or electric scooters.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of a wheelchair (Title V Section 508c) is: a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or of both indoor and outdoor locomotion.

Mobility device technology has come a long way in recent years, spanning a variety of shapes, sizes, and capability in varied terrain. Those devices that meet the definition of a wheelchair are allowed anywhere foot travel is allowed in our National Parks, this includes the opportunity to participate in Wilderness experiences.

Two ATVs on a beach.

NPS Photo

Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs)

Any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines, that is not primarily designed for individuals with disabilities, that are used by such individuals for the purpose of locomotion are classified as an Other Powered-Driven Mobility Device (OPDMD).

OPDMDs examples include golf cars/carts, electronic personal assistance mobility devices, such as the Segway ® Personal Transporter (PT), or any mobility device that does NOT meet the definition of a wheelchair and is designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes.

Mobility Device Loan Programs

Some parks have mobility devices available for loan for use on beaches and trails. Below is a map and a list of parks with these programs.

Alaska

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve: beach wheelchair

Arkansas

Arkansas Post National Memorial: all-terrain manual wheelchair

California

Golden Gate National Recreation Area: beach wheelchair

Channel Islands National Park: beach wheelchair

Point Reyes National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Redwoods National & State Parks: track chair

Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park: beach wheelchair

Rocky Mountains National Park: all-terrain manual chair

Florida

Canaveral National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Gulf Islands National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Georgia

Cumberland Island National Seashore: beach wheelchair and track chair

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: track chair

Hawaii

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park: beach wheelchair

Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park: beach wheelchairs and other devices

Maine

Acadia National Park: beach wheelchairs

Maryland

Assateague Island National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Massachusetts

Cape Cod National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: beach wheelchair and track chair

North Carolina

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Cape Lookout National Seashore: beach wheelchair

New York

Fire Island National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Gateway National Recreation Area: beach wheelchair

Oregon

Lewis and Clark National Historic Park: scooter and a wheelchair

South Carolina

Congaree National Park: beach wheelchair

Tennesee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: all-terrain manual chair

Texas

Padre Island National Seashore: beach wheelchair

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands National Park: beach wheelchair

Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park: beach wheelchair