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The Recreation Trails Program is a federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that funds the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities across the United States. The program supports both motorized and nonmotorized trail uses, including hiking, bicycling, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and off-road vehicle trails.
Funds are distributed to states, which administer their own programs and establish project eligibility requirements. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and land trusts, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Reauthorized through FY 2026 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, organizations should contact their State RTP Administrator to apply.
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Recreational Trails - Environment - FHWA Innovative Program Delivery Planning, Environment, and Realty Research, Development & Technology Publications & Statistics National Highway Institute (NHI) Accessibility Resource Library Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty ( HEP ) For more information, please contact Christopher Douwes .
Recreational Trails Program RTP Annual Report Archive Trails as Resilient Infrastructure (November 2023) This guidebook demonstrates how trails are part of resilient transportation infrastructure, how trails can be planned and designed to be resilient and sustainable, and how trails have a role in emergency planning and response.
Rails-with-Trails Best Practices and Lessons Learned (May 2021) describes effective practices to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain rails-with-trails facilities. Trail Training Opportunities . A network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968.
See map . NTD introduces people to the many joys and benefits of trails. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses.
The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It can fund trails for hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 reauthorized the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through Federal fiscal years 2022 through 2026 as a set-aside from the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside under the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG). The amount set aside is equal to the State's FY 2009 RTP apportionment. * See Funding Levels by State .
Each State administers its own program. Contact your State RTP Administrator for guidance on State policies and project eligibility requirements. The Recreational Trails Program Project Database lists most RTP projects funded from 1993 through 2021.
The 2021 Recreational Trails Program Annual Report describes how the States used RTP funds. The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) recognizes outstanding RTP projects through its Annual Achievement Awards .
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) Section 1524 requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to encourage States and regional transportation planning agencies to use qualified youth service and conservation corps to perform appropriate transportation-related projects. This section of law remains in effect.
See: Youth Service and Conservation Corps Q&A for MAP-21 Section 1524 Youth Workforce Development Resources (June 2018) * Note: From FY 1993 through FY 2012, the RTP funds were distributed to the States by legislative formula: half of the funds were distributed equally among all States, and half were distributed in proportion to the estimated amount of nonhighway recreational fuel use in each State.
The RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from nonhighway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-highway light trucks. Bicycle Pedestrian Program Livability & Case Studies Transportation Alternatives US DOT Active Transportation Website U.S. DOT Home | USA.
gov | WhiteHouse. gov Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: State/local governments, nonprofits, land trusts. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $10,000 - $200,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Recreation Trails Program is funded by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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