Off-road hiking and backcountry exploration are becoming significantly more accessible to individuals with mobility limitations, as a growing network of state park systems, federal land agencies, and non-profit organizations roll out free all-terrain track chair loaner programs across the United States.
By replacing traditional wheels with heavy-duty rubber tank tracks or high-traction pneumatic tires, these specialized power chairs allow users to navigate uneven terrain, steep gradients, deep sand, mud, snow, and shallow water—environments that are typically impassable for standard manual or electric wheelchairs. Personal ownership of all-terrain wheelchairs can require an investment of thousands of dollars, but public and non-profit loaner initiatives are effectively removing financial barriers to remote outdoors experiences.
While equipment designs and operational policies vary by jurisdiction, the vast majority of these public programs share a common premise: providing free access to specialized adaptive equipment, provided visitors plan ahead, complete necessary waivers, and adhere to specific reservation guidelines.
Beyond localized park equipment, prospective hikers can evaluate different mechanical options—ranging from manual lever-driven models like the GRIT Freedom Chair and Mountain Trike to fully motorized systems like the Action Trackchair and Trac-Fab units—or utilize crowdsourced mapping tools such as the Action Trackchair Finder to locate public-use chairs nationwide.
As park systems nationwide continue to invest in adaptive recreation, program frameworks differ from state to state. Below is a comprehensive overview of confirmed, public-use all-terrain wheelchair programs established across the country.
Midwest Programs Lead Large-Scale Expansions
Midwestern states have emerged as leaders in deploying adaptive outdoor equipment, with several state departments of natural resources establishing expansive networks of track chairs across state parks and recreation areas.
Indiana
In 2026, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources initiated a major statewide expansion, procuring approximately 45 new electric track chairs funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment. The initiative aims to place all-terrain chairs in every state park across Indiana, building upon smaller, pre-existing programs that had previously introduced donated track chairs to locations such as Indiana Dunes State Park.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources provides free track chairs across a variety of state parks and recreation areas. The motorized units utilized in Michigan are engineered to handle rugged trails, snowpack, loose sand, and standing water up to eight inches deep. Due to battery capacity constraints, individual session durations at certain Michigan park locations are capped at two hours, with reservation protocols varying between advance booking and first-come, first-served availability depending on the site.
Minnesota
Minnesota operates one of the upper Midwest’s most extensive public networks, offering free all-terrain track chairs across more than 13 state parks statewide. While equipment access is free, visitors must possess a standard state park vehicle permit, though discounted permits are available for individuals holding a disability license plate or hanging placard.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires no medical documentation beyond a liability waiver signed at pickup. The state’s track chairs feature a top speed of approximately 3 mph and a battery lifespan ranging from four to six hours under normal operating conditions. To ensure broad public access, most Minnesota parks limit users to one reservation per day. Separately, McCarthy Beach State Park offers an adaptive floating beach chair designed specifically for water access.
Missouri
Missouri State Parks maintains a centralized track chair program operating across six park locations statewide. Equipment is free to reserve for anyone with a self-identified mobility need, provided the request is submitted at least two days in advance. Minor users under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Missouri State Parks staff members are not permitted to assist users with physical transfers into or out of the equipment.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers adaptive outdoor access through both state-managed facilities and a unique non-profit equipment network. On-site track chairs are available directly through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Peninsula State Park, Point Beach State Forest, and Buckhorn State Park, where equipment can be reserved online or over the phone.
Complementing the state park program, the non-profit organization Access Ability Wisconsin maintains a fleet of towable track chairs packaged with custom transport trailers. These units can be reserved online and picked up at designated staging stations throughout the state. Access Ability Wisconsin recommends booking one to two weeks in advance, and borrowing parties must operate a tow vehicle rated for a minimum hauling capacity of 1,150 pounds.
Kansas
Under the Adaptive Sportsmen of Kansas program, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks provides free track chairs across eight state parks. Unlike programs with centralized online reservation portals, Kansas operates its inventory on a regional, first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are instructed to call their intended park directly or contact the central operations office in Pratt at 620-672-5911 to verify equipment availability. Because the control joystick is permanently mounted on the right armrest, users must possess functional use of their right arm to operate the machinery safely.
Western and Great Plains States Expand Wilderness Access
From the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, western states have integrated all-terrain equipment into rugged landscapes, often tailoring program rules to match challenging wilderness conditions.
Colorado
Colorado’s Staunton State Park established the nation’s pioneer state park track chair program in 2016. The equipment is free to use, though visitors must purchase a standard $10 daily park pass. Reservations for the operating season open annually on May 1, with equipment available Friday through Sunday from June through October.
Staunton State Park features three designated, track-chair accessible trails—Davis Ponds, Mason Creek, and Staunton Ranch—ranging from two to five miles in length. To accommodate transfer needs, the park provides slide boards and a sling lift on site.
Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages track chair equipment at Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell and Lake Elmo State Park in Billings. Access is free, but Montana requires users to present proof of disability and be accompanied by a non-disabled companion during their outing. Reservations must be made directly over the phone with individual park offices, and equipment use is strictly restricted to each park’s designated primary trail system.
South Dakota
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks maintains track chairs at Custer State Park, Good Earth State Park, and both Outdoor Campus educational facilities in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. Track chairs hosted at Custer and Good Earth State Parks are dedicated to same-day use within park boundaries and must be returned prior to park closing.
Conversely, the chairs stationed at the Outdoor Campuses come equipped with transport trailers and can be booked up to two weeks in advance for mobile use anywhere in South Dakota. Borrowers must complete a waiver, and those requiring physical transfer assistance must supply their own support personnel.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s primary public-use track chair program is operated by the City of Sand Springs at the Keystone Ancient Forest. Featuring two motorized track chairs, the program is free to the public and managed through an online reservation system. It represents the state’s primary municipal initiative providing rugged trail access to individuals with physical disabilities.
Southern and Eastern States Adopt Hybrid Models
State park authorities across the South and East Coast have implemented track chair initiatives supported by public-private partnerships, specialized vehicle license plate funding, and non-profit advocacy.
Georgia
Georgia’s adaptive trail network, operated under the All-Terrain Georgia banner, represents a partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Aimee Copeland Foundation. Track chairs are deployed across multiple state parks, historic sites, and a state wildlife center.
While equipment usage is free, visitors must complete a centralized approval process that typically requires seven days to process. Borrowers are required to bring a companion aged 18 or older—designated as a "Buddy"—who must complete a brief online training module prior to the trip. Georgia’s track chairs are certified not only for trail hiking and sightseeing, but also for adaptive hunting and fishing activities.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offers all-terrain mobility devices across seven state park and forest locations from the first Saturday in June through the end of October. Each participating location hosts one tracked chair and one wheeled all-terrain chair.
Reservations are capped at a maximum of three hours per session. Borrowers must present a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID, sign a same-day liability waiver, and utilize a four-point safety harness at all times while operating the equipment. Connecticut enforces strict weight capacity limits: 300 pounds for track-based chairs and 350 pounds for wheel-based all-terrain chairs.
Virginia
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation provides free access to both tracked chairs and pneumatic-tire all-terrain wheelchairs across several state parks. Funding for the program is sustained in part through revenues generated by Virginia’s specialized disability accessibility license plate program. Visitors are required to submit equipment reservation requests at least 48 hours prior to their planned arrival.
Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers free track chair access at Purtis Creek State Park, handling reservations over the phone on a first-come, first-served basis. The agency continues to evaluate expansion, with additional state parks periodically integrating adaptive equipment into their facility offerings.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, adaptive outdoor recreation is supported through localized municipal partnerships and commercial options. In Pittsburgh, the non-profit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy operates a free track chair program at Frick Park for adults and youth aged five and older with mobility limitations, utilizing a seasonal reservation system with waitlist management.
For visitors seeking off-site mobility options across Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey, private medical equipment suppliers such as Mobility on Wheels offer Trac-Fab tracked wheelchairs for daily rental fees.
Federal Initiatives Across the National Park Service
Unlike state park systems that operate unified, department-wide equipment networks, the National Park Service does not maintain a single, centralized track chair program. Instead, individual national park units acquire and manage adaptive equipment independently based on local terrain, funding, and community partnerships.
Motorized off-road track chairs are available at select national park units, including Redwoods National and State Parks in California, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Georgia.
In addition to tracked equipment, numerous coastal and lakeshore national parks maintain heavy-duty beach wheelchairs equipped with wide pneumatic tires designed to navigate soft sand. Parks offering beach wheelchairs include Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park, Acadia National Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Canaveral National Seashore. Because equipment inventory and reservation systems vary by park, the National Park Service advises visitors to check directly with individual park accessibility coordinators prior to travel.
Essential Considerations Before Booking an All-Terrain Chair
While public all-terrain chair programs offer unprecedented access to remote landscapes, successful outings require thorough advance planning. Equipment designs, power capacities, and operational rules vary substantially between managing agencies.
Before reserving equipment, prospective users should evaluate several operational factors:
- Reservation Lead Times and Approvals: While some parks offer first-come, first-served availability, many require advance notice ranging from 48 hours to two weeks. Programs involving non-profit partner approvals, such as Georgia’s system, require up to a week for initial registration processing.
- Transfer and Companion Requirements: State park personnel are generally prohibited from assisting visitors with physical transfers into or out of adaptive equipment due to liability and safety policies. Parks frequently require users who need transfer support or on-trail monitoring to bring their own companion or caregiver.
- Physical Operating Capabilities: Control mechanisms vary by machine model. While standard joysticks allow single-handed operation, some systems feature fixed armrest controls—such as the right-hand joystick requirements in Kansas—that necessitate specific motor functionality.
- Battery Life and Operating Range: Most electric track chairs feature battery operating spans between two and six hours, with maximum speeds averaging around 3 mph. Terrain slope, user weight, ambient temperature, and mud or water resistance can significantly impact battery longevity, prompting many parks to limit single-use reservation windows to two or three hours.
- Transport and Towing Specifications: Mobile equipment programs that allow users to transport chairs off-site require suitable towing infrastructure. Borrowers must ensure their personal vehicles are equipped with adequate hitch hardware and towing capacity—often exceeding 1,100 pounds—to transport trailer-mounted equipment safely.
As park systems continue to incorporate universal design principles into public land management, all-terrain loaner programs represent a growing shift toward making natural spaces accessible to all outdoor enthusiasts.
