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Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is sponsored by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) / State Departments of Transportation. The Recreational Trails Program is a federal grant initiative providing financial assistance for the development and maintenance of recreational trails, trailheads, and trailside facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses.
It is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level. Projects are primarily recreational in nature.
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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
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: State and Federal agencies, local units of government, municipal corporations, counties, and nonprofit organizations. (Eligibility can vary by state; some states, like DC, allow their DOT to apply as a local government entity). Non-profit organizations may need to partner with an eligible government agency. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows varies by state (e.g., Florida has no minimum, maximum $400,000 federal share; Virginia minimum $50,000, 80/20 match). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is funded by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) / State Departments of Transportation. 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.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), administered through state departments of transportation. This federally funded competitive program provides grants for trail construction, restoration, maintenance, and trail-related education projects across the country. Eligible applicants include county governments, municipal governments, and nonprofit agencies. Grant amounts vary by state, with some states capping individual requests at $200,000. The program supports motorized and non-motorized trail projects and aims to expand access to outdoor recreation through an interconnected national trail network. Rails to Trails Conservancy highlights RTP as a key federal funding resource for trail advocates and local communities seeking to build or improve trail infrastructure.
Transportation Alternatives (TA) is a federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state Departments of Transportation that funds smaller-scale transportation projects including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school, historic preservation, stormwater management, and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Funded through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program, the TA Set-Aside improves community connectivity and active transportation infrastructure. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and regional transportation agencies. Application deadlines and funding amounts are determined by each state's Department of Transportation. Youth service and conservation corps are encouraged for project delivery.
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