Incredible love of father who pulls his disabled son, 18, for miles so he can see the country's most beautiful national parks

James Geier, 60, is pictured pulling his son Jonah, who has cerebral palsy, through Arches National Park in Utah on a specially-made stroller

The image was taken in 2012 but warmed hearts when it was shared by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Instagram for Father's Day

The Geier family have enjoyed taking Jonah on their hikes since he was born and the teen loves being outdoors, his dad said



A touching photograph shared in time for Father's Day has revealed the incredible bond between a Utah dad and his disabled son.

The image, which was released by the U.S. Department of the Interior, shows James Geier, from Logan, pulling his quadriplegic son Jonah through the Arches National Park in Utah on a stroller.

The eighteen-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, adores being outside, so his 60-year-old dad has made it possible for him to see the nation's most breathtaking sights since he was born.



Mr Geier, a retired law enforcement officer, hiked three miles pulling Jonah nearly 500 feet over rock trails and up steps so that his son could experience the best views at Arches National Park.

Touching: In a photograph that has warmed hearts, James Geier pulls his 18-year-old son Jonah, who has cerebral palsy, through the Arches National Park in Utah on a special stroller

'We just have a special relationship with Jonah, my wife and I,' the proud dad told Today. 'He's really kind of a best friend as well as our son. He's probably the best company that you can have.'

The photograph was taken by his daughter, Laura, two years ago but warmed hearts this weekend when it was shared by the Department of Interior on their Instagram page.

Since then, it has been 'liked' more than 10,000 times and has garnered more than 200 comments calling the image 'pure love' and 'so touching'.



Laura originally submitted the photograph to the annual 'Share the Experience' photo contest, but the department decided to share it again this past weekend.



'Best friends': Jonah has always loved being outdoors, so his family makes sure he never misses out

Close: His big sister Laura, pictured, took the photograph two years ago but it was a hit this weekend when the U.S. Department of Interior shared it on its Instagram page in time for Father's Day

'We thought this is such a great photo for Father’s Day - it just kind of shows what Father's Day is all about,' Time Fullerton, the director of digital strategy, told Today.



'He's really kind of a best friend as well as our son' James Geier

The Geier family, who have been hiking since their children were young, have visited Capitol Reef National Park and returned to Arches since the photograph was taken.

'He enjoys it completely,' Mr Geier said of Jonah.



Mr Geier used to carry Jonah in a child carrier but when he started to weigh more than 70 pounds, he found the Dixon Roller pack, which was modified with a webbed sling seat for Jonah.



Loving: Retired police officer Mr Geier, pictured with Laura, takes Jonah on between 8 and 10 hikes a year 'Pure love': More than 10,000 people have liked the photograph on the department's Instagram page

He said the visit to Arches was the first time he tried out the system and he had no trouble pulling his excited teen through the breathtaking landscape.

When Laura initially submitted the photograph, she said that 'neither Geier nor Arch is deterred by challenges'.