Visitors with mobility challenges will have a new way to explore the trails and natural areas of Lake Guntersville State Park with the addition of a specialized all-terrain mobility vehicle.
The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association unveiled the new vehicle Tuesday at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. The purchase was made possible through funding from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The device, referred to as a Trackchair by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship, is designed to travel through outdoor areas that can be difficult to navigate in a traditional wheelchair, including trails, natural landscapes and uneven terrain.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority for their generous support in making Alabama’s great outdoors more accessible for everyone,” said Matthew Capps, director of the Alabama State Parks System. “This mobile terrain vehicle will allow more visitors to experience the natural beauty of Lake Guntersville State Park, creating opportunities for adventure, connection and lifelong memories that might not otherwise have been possible.”
Lake Guntersville joins other North Alabama state parks offering specialized equipment to help people with mobility challenges experience the outdoors.
Joe Wheeler State Park has a TerrainHopper designed to navigate rugged terrain, while Monte Sano State Park offers a Huckleberry Hiker for assisted trail exploration.
Six Alabama state parks now offer specialized outdoor mobility devices: Oak Mountain, Gulf, Monte Sano, Lakepoint, Joe Wheeler and Lake Guntersville.
The equipment varies by park and includes devices such as Action Trackchairs, TerrainHoppers, GRIT Freedom Chairs and other adaptive equipment. Oak Mountain offers several options, including an Action Trackchair, Huckleberry Hiker and a VertaCat for adaptive golf. Gulf State Park offers an Action Trackchair and lists a GRIT Freedom Chair, while Lakepoint has an Action Trackchair.
Visitors interested in using the equipment can find information about the devices available at each park, recommended trails and reservation instructions through Alabama State Parks’ outdoor mobility program. Advance reservations are encouraged, and most of the devices currently listed by the state parks system should be reserved at least three days before a visit.
Blankenship said the new Lake Guntersville vehicle is another part of the state’s effort to make its parks more accessible.
“I am so excited for the new Trackchair at Lake Guntersville State Park, and I appreciate our partnership with TVA and the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association that made this possible,” Blankenship said. “This new mobile terrain device continues our commitment to make our Alabama State Parks accessible for all. We have invested in accessible playgrounds, paved ADA trails and parking areas, scenic overlooks and ADA cabins, hotel rooms, and other facilities. I look forward to more projects and partnerships like this all across Alabama.”
Alabama State Parks operates 21 parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water across the state, stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian Mountains.
The Lake Guntersville addition is also part of a broader accessibility effort by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association aimed at making North Alabama more welcoming for travelers with disabilities, limited mobility and sensory sensitivities.
The organization launched a region-wide accessible-friendly destination initiative last October with a new website and travel tools. Since then, AMLA says it has donated more than 50 wheelchairs and 15 Meta Smart Glasses to tourism-related venues, along with a mobile terrain vehicle at Joe Wheeler State Park and now the vehicle at Lake Guntersville.
TVA Alabama Director of Government and Community Relations Lauren Pelto said the agency supports efforts to make outdoor recreation available to more people.
“TVA is proud to support the expansion of accessible outdoor recreation so everyone can experience the beautiful natural spaces across north Alabama,” Pelto said. “At TVA, we invest in partnerships that power progress, drive economic growth, protect our environment, and improve quality of life in the Tennessee Valley. Every dollar reflects our mission and commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.”
Lake Guntersville State Park offers 36 miles of hiking and biking trails, along with an 18-hole golf course, beach complex, outdoor nature center, fishing and other recreational opportunities.
“Expanding access to North Alabama’s amazing outdoor experiences continues to be one of our priorities,” AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist said. “Thank you to TVA’s generous support, this adaptive mobility vehicle will help remove barriers and provide more opportunities for people with different mobility needs to experience the beauty of our state park.”
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
