Alaska Zoo All-Terrain Wheelchair Rental: Renting the Extreme Motus for Gravel Trails
Quick answer
The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage offers an Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair for visitor rental — the zoo has 20 acres of gravel trails through boreal forest that are tough on standard wheelchairs. Cost is $25 (non-refundable), first-come first-served at the gate, 2.5-hour time limit, 250 lb weight capacity, one rider at a time. The chair is winterized with studded tires so it works year-round. Renter must be 18+ and leave a driver’s license or credit card at admissions.
Conquering gravel trails at the Alaska Zoo
The Alaska Zoo sits on 20 acres of well-maintained gravel paths that wind through natural boreal forest, leading visitors past Siberian tigers, bald eagles, brown bears, polar bears, and the rest of the zoo’s all-star Alaskan cast. The gravel surface is part of what makes the zoo feel like a real walk through the woods — and exactly what makes it hard to navigate in a standard wheelchair. Loose stone catches small caster wheels, and even moderate inclines turn into a real workout.
To bridge that gap, the zoo keeps an Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair available for visitor rental. Designed for the kind of challenging terrain standard mobility devices can’t handle, the Motus rolls smoothly across the zoo’s gravel trails — and across the snow and ice that come with an Alaskan winter.
How to rent the Extreme Motus at the Alaska Zoo
Rentals are walk-up only — there are no advance reservations. The chair is available on a first-come, first-served basis at admissions for $25 (non-refundable). Check the zoo’s hours before you head over; last entry is 30 minutes before close, and you’ll need time to fill out a short rental form when you arrive.
Things to keep in mind
- The renter (or parent/guardian) must be 18 years or older.
- $25 non-refundable fee, paid at the gate.
- A driver’s license or credit card is held at admissions during the rental.
- 2.5-hour time limit, with a 30-minute grace period before additional charges accrue.
- 250 lb weight capacity, one rider at a time.
Only one Motus is currently available
The Alaska Zoo currently has a single Motus in its rental fleet, which means the chair can book up quickly on busy weekends or summer afternoons. If you’d like to help the zoo add more chairs so more visitors can use them, the volunteer team is the right contact: volunteer@alaskazoo.org.
Other accessibility features at the Alaska Zoo
The Motus is part of a broader accessibility setup the zoo has built up over the years:
- 20 acres of maintained gravel trails through boreal forest, kept passable year-round.
- Golf cart rides can be arranged by advance request for visitors who need extra assistance — at least one week’s notice required, subject to volunteer availability.
- Accessibility Awareness Day events with ASL interpreters, captioning, and information about accessible technology.
- Winter accessibility: the all-terrain wheelchair gets fitted with studded tires for traction on snow and ice so the trails stay open through Alaskan winter.
Visiting
Address: 4731 O’Malley Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 346-2133
Website: alaskazoo.org
Frequently asked questions
Can I reserve the Motus in advance at the Alaska Zoo?
No. Rentals are walk-up only at admissions, first-come first-served. Arrive early on busy days.
How much does it cost to rent?
$25 non-refundable, paid at the gate. You’ll also leave a driver’s license or credit card at admissions during the rental.
How long can I keep the chair?
2.5 hours, with a 30-minute grace period before extra charges. That’s typically enough to see the full zoo at a relaxed pace.
Does the Motus work in winter at the Alaska Zoo?
Yes — the chair is winterized with studded tires for traction on snow and ice. Trails are maintained year-round.
What’s the weight limit?
250 pounds, single rider only. Younger riders are welcome with a parent or guardian (18+) signing the rental.
What if the chair is already rented when I arrive?
The zoo only has one Motus right now. If it’s out, ask admissions about golf cart rides — those can be arranged in advance for visitors who need assistance. Donations to expand the fleet go through volunteer@alaskazoo.org.
Since 2019, Sam and Ryan have been demonstrating that nature is wheelchair accessible with the Extreme Motus All Terrain Wheelchair. From National Parks to Skateparks, their adventures prove that a manual off-road wheelchair can offer laughter and joy while navigating diverse terrains.
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