Expanding Access to the Outdoors: Texas State Parks Introduce Adaptive Equipment for Visitors

Exploring Texas’ stunning state parks is now more accessible than ever, thanks to the introduction of new adaptive equipment designed to help visitors with disabilities experience nature in new ways. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has unveiled a variety of mobility-assisting devices at select parks, allowing guests to traverse rugged trails, enjoy scenic landscapes, and take part in outdoor activities with greater ease.

A major addition to the accessibility efforts is the deployment of motorized track wheelchairs in nine parks across Texas. These battery-operated chairs allow users to navigate rough terrains that might have been inaccessible before. Available for free reservations for up to three hours, the chairs can be controlled by the user or a companion via a joystick remote. The following state parks now offer track chairs:

Brazos Bend State Park
Cedar Hill State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park (2 available)
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Hueco Tanks State Park
McKinney Falls State Park
Village Creek State Park
Palo Pinto State Park (opening summer 2025)

For guests who need additional support on the trails, TPWD has introduced Cascade Tandem Hiking Carts in four state parks. These specialized wheeled hiking devices provide ergonomic weight distribution, an adjustable seating system, and brakes for enhanced safety. Available at McKinney Falls, Brazos Bend, Dinosaur Valley, and Cedar Hill State Parks, these carts are designed for users between 3.4 and 5 feet tall, with a weight limit of 100 pounds, making them perfect for young adventurers.

Texas State Parks are also adding EnChroma viewers and scopes to select locations, offering visitors with colorblindness a unique opportunity to experience nature in vivid, dynamic hues. Installed at parks including Galveston Island, Meridian, Ray Roberts Lake, and Sheldon Lake, these devices can help visitors see the full spectrum of colors found in Texas’ breathtaking landscapes.

These new devices join a growing list of adaptive equipment available at parks across the state, including Grit Freedom Chairs, beach-friendly wheelchairs, accessible kayak launches, and trail systems designed for mobility assistance. Many of these upgrades were made possible through generous contributions to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, ensuring that nature is open to everyone.

The GRIT Freedom Chair is an all-terrain wheelchair designed to help you experience trails, fields, beaches and more. You can operate it independently using lever drives or with a friend using push handles.

Whether it’s navigating rugged trails with a track chair, enjoying the vibrant colors of Texas wildlife through an EnChroma viewer, or exploring new paths with an adaptive hiking cart, Texas State Parks are committed to making the outdoors accessible for all.

For more information on reservations, accessibility modifications, or details on Texas’ adaptive outdoor equipment, visitors can check out the TPWD Accessibility website or contact accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov.

This story was presented on the Wednesday, April 30th edition of On the Dock Radio on KNCT.

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