Extreme Motus, a Utah County company operating out of a warehouse just off Interstate 15 in Payson, has secured a partnership with the National Park Service to provide its manual, all‑terrain wheelchairs at each of the “Mighty Five” national parks in southern Utah. The parks – Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion – will now have dedicated storage and checkout stations for the adaptive equipment.
Local roots, national impact
The idea began when co‑founder Ryan Grassley, a longtime friend of Sam Durst, recognized that Sam’s cerebral palsy kept him from experiencing the country’s most iconic landscapes. “Outdoor adventures felt out of reach for Sam,” Grassley recalled. “We wanted to change that for him and for anyone else who faces similar barriers.”
In 2019, Extreme Motus teamed up with Sam’s family and began testing the wheelchair on trips to Arches National Park. “We thought, ‘Let’s get revenge on the Delicate Arch trail,’” Grassley said, recalling the first outing. The positive response spurred a broader effort to bring the chairs to all five parks.
Overcoming logistical hurdles
Getting the program off the ground required navigating budget approvals, securing funding, and figuring out storage and checkout logistics, Grassley explained. “It was tough to get the budgets, raise the funds, and decide where the chairs would be stored and how they’d be checked out,” he said.
Earlier this month, the National Park Service announced that each of the Mighty Five parks now has space allocated for Extreme Motus’s adaptive equipment. Rangers will manage a list of approved trails that are safe for the wheelchair, and visitors are encouraged to coordinate with park staff before planning their trips.
Community response and future plans
Since launching the program, Extreme Motus’s social‑media channels have amassed roughly 300 million views, according to Grassley, who now serves as the company’s chief marketing officer. The exposure helped attract additional support from the park service and the broader outdoor community.
Sam’s nephew, Drew Durst, contributes to the effort by handling videography and assisting with chair construction. “I just really believe in the product and its ability to bring people together,” Drew said.
Grassley emphasized that the wheelchair’s design allows not only the user but also companions to ride together, expanding the experience for families and friends. “It’s opened up the world to us, for sure,” he added.
How to access the wheelchairs
Visitors interested in using the all‑terrain wheelchair should contact the ranger station at each park to learn about the checkout process and approved trail routes. The program aims to make Utah’s natural beauty accessible to countless more adventurers, reinforcing the state’s reputation for inclusive outdoor recreation.
Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Scripps) – Utah County — read the source article.
