Recreational Trails Grant Program

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded initiative designed to support the development and maintenance of recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized use across the United States. In North Dakota, the RTP is administered by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD), which has been designated by the Governor to manage state-level allocations and project implementation. At the federal level, the program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program is funded through the Federal Highway Trust Fund, specifically from fuel taxes generated by non-highway recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and off-highway motorcycles. RTP funding supports a wide variety of trail uses including hiking, bicycling, skiing, equestrian use, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and canoe/kayak routes. RTP provides 80/20 matching grants, reimbursing up to 80% of eligible project costs with a required 20% local match. Applicants must have matching funds available at the time of application. The program supports a broad range of project types including new trail construction, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailheads and trailside facilities, purchase or lease of trail maintenance equipment (only for government agencies), land acquisition or easements, and accessibility assessments. The minimum grant request is $30,000 and the maximum is $250,000 per project. Projects cannot begin until approved by the FHWA and a signed grant agreement is in place. Local sponsors must initially cover all project expenses and then seek reimbursement. Eligible applicants include state and federal agencies, municipal governments (cities, counties, park boards), federally recognized tribes, and non-profit organizations registered in good standing in North Dakota for at least five years. However, only public agencies are eligible to receive funding for equipment purchases. The application process begins on April 1, 2026, and closes on April 13, 2026. All applications must be submitted through the WebGrants portal, and registration in the system is required. A manual is provided to guide applicants through registration and submission procedures. The grant review process begins with an eligibility check by NDPRD. Qualified applications are then forwarded to the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (RTPAC), which includes representatives of both motorized and non-motorized trail user groups. The committee meets in April to evaluate and score submissions based on criteria such as community benefit, project readiness, match quality, alignment with NDPRD’s mission, and trail diversity. After committee rankings, projects undergo state and federal environmental and historic preservation clearances. Final approval is issued by the FHWA. Selected applicants are notified of award status in June, with the federal fiscal year beginning October 1. Project sponsors must complete their projects within 18 months of receiving approval. RTP funds are disbursed via reimbursement, with the NDPRD retaining 5% until final inspection confirms project completion and compliance with scope. Reimbursement requests must include full documentation including invoices, bid summaries, payroll records, and procurement approvals. Equipment, material, and labor donations can be counted toward the local match, but only if pre-approved and fully documented. Environmental review, procurement compliance, and Buy America requirements must also be met. Projects involving ground disturbance or work near wetlands or historic properties must submit specific documentation to obtain federal clearance. If a project is delayed, incomplete, or non-compliant, NDPRD may terminate funding or require corrective action. Finally, this grant cycle includes notable completed projects, such as the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa’s ATV trail facility upgrades, which included parking lot resurfacing and the installation of accessible restrooms. These improvements highlight the RTP’s impact in expanding trail access and safety across the state. To support transparency and accessibility, NDPRD maintains a list of funded projects by year and provides technical support through its Grants Coordinator.

Have permits and match in place before submission; describe project in detail; show alignment with NDPRD mission and “last mile” trail philosophy