Explore Deeper into Nature

All-terrain wheelchairs can be reserved at Indian Creek Nature Center at no cost to users. Thanks to the support of generous donors, the Nature Center is the first organization in Cedar Rapids to offer this amenity to the public for outdoor recreation.

All-terrain wheelchairs have treaded tires that allow users to cross a greater variety of terrain, including hills, mud, snow, grass, and sand, with more ease and mobility than a traditional motorized wheelchair. 

Reserve an All-Terrain Wheelchair

Guests can reserve an all-terrain wheelchair with Indian Creek Nature Center in-person by speaking with a staff member at the front desk, by calling (319) 362-0664 during regular business hours, or completing a short reservation form.

Reservations for each chair are made on a first come first serve basis and can be reserved for up to three hours. Reservations can only be made during regular business hours (10AM to 4PM) while staff are available.

Each of the three chairs is different. Please choose which chair you’d prefer when you make your reservation.

Adult Chair: 22” seat with left mounted joystick

Adult Chair: 24” seat with right mounted joystick

Youth Chair: 16” seat with right mounted joystick

Other features included in chairs:

• Attendant control which allows the person accompanying the chair user to control the chair, even overriding the joystick controls
• Adjustable seats that tilt and head rests that can be raised or lowered to maximize comfort for chair user
• Battery life of up to 4 hours

What to Expect

At the time of your reservation, speak with a staff member at the front desk. Staff will ask the user, or accompanying guardian, to complete a waiver prior to using the all-terrain wheelchair and leave an ID with staff. All minors should be attended by an adult.

Staff will bring the all-terrain wheelchair(s) to the patio in front of the building and provide direction on how the chairs operate.

Staff are not able to assist users getting in and out of chairs.

The chair users are welcome to explore the entire five miles of trails surrounding the Nature Center headquarters, plus the adjoining Sac & Fox trail. Users are not permitted to take the chairs off the Nature Center trails. Occasionally, weather conditions or trail maintenance may limit which trails are open to chair users. At the start of your visit, please ask staff about trail conditions to understand the best places to explore.

Users are expected to return the all-terrain wheelchair back to the patio in front of the building before the end of their reserved time.

Trail maps are available at the front desk or can be downloaded here.

How All-Terrain Wheelchairs Came to Indian Creek Nature Center

In 2023, a staff member who used an all-terrain wheelchair during a vacation shared how the chair allowed for a more meaningful conenction to nature than their traditional wheelchair. Seeing the potential of all-terrain wheelchairs to expand access to nature, Indian Creek Nature Center felt it necessary to pursue a pathway that could bring this amenity to the Cedar Rapids community.

That summer, during our first-ever BioBlitz, the Nature Center rented three all-terrain wheelchairs for a weeklong test run — and it was a success. Multiple people came out to try the chairs, including Steve Kriz, who is a longtime nature lover but due to an accident years ago had been unable to go deep into nature. 

This success inspired the launch of the All-Terrain Wheelchair Campaign in 2024 that successfully raised more than $220,000 to acquire three all-terrain wheelchairs, invest in upgrades to the trail system, and endow funds for the ongoing maintenance of the chairs.

Thanks to the members of our community who donated in support of this cause, these chairs are now a long term addition to the offerings at Indian Creek Nature Center. This great benefit to our community has removed a barrier to connecting with the outside world.

Thank you to every donor who expanded access to nature.

All-Terrain Wheelchair Campaign Donors

Listed alphabetically