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Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a grant from the State of Wisconsin, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, that funds the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized uses. This federally funded reimbursement program covers up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Priority project types include maintenance and restoration of existing trails, trailside and trailhead facility development, construction of new trails, and acquisition of easements or property for trail corridors.
Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies, school districts, state and federal agencies, and incorporated nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose involves outdoor recreation trails. Applications are typically due March 1 each year, with complete applications submitted electronically to the Wisconsin DNR regional project manager.
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Recreational Trails Program (RTP) | | Wisconsin DNR Aid_Content Page_Recreational Trails Program RTP Recreational Trails Program (RTP) This is a federal program administered in most states.
Municipal governments and incorporated organizations are eligible to receive reimbursement for the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. Eligible sponsors may be reimbursed for up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Funds from this program may be used in conjunction with funds from other state grant programs that also fund trail projects. The RTP legislation prohibits using RTP funds for condemnation of any kind of interest in property. An RTP project may be located on land condemned with funds from other sources.
However, to be consistent with the RTP legislation, it is not permissible to use the value of condemned land toward the match requirement for an RTP project. Please Notice RTP Grant has an UPDATED APPLICATION DEADLINE: See tabs below for updated guidance and application forms. Complete grant applications must be submitted electronically.
Please use zip files, the file transfer portal, WiBox: https://wibox. wi. gov/messageportal/#/dropoff or email application materials to your Regional Project Manager by 11:59 pm on March 1, 2026 , to be considered.
Per s. 990. 001(4)(c), Wis.
Stats. , however, if any grant application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or State Holiday, the deadline is moved to the next State working day. Applicants applying for federal funds must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number instead of a DUNS number to apply.
A UEI number can be obtained by going to www. SAM. gov .
**If you are having problems opening forms, please visit our PDF Help page . ** Towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies, school districts, state agencies, federal agencies or incorporated organizations are eligible to apply for funds. Incorporated organizations are those that are incorporated under s.
181, Wis. Stats. , whose primary purpose is promoting, encouraging or engaging in outdoor recreation trails activities.
Form 8700-389 Nonprofit Conservation Organization Recreation Trails Program Eligibility Application Eligible projects in order of priority are: Maintenance and restoration of existing trails; Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages; Construction of new trails (with certain restrictions on federal lands*); and Acquisition of easements and fee simple title to property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors (must comply with the provisions of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended).
*Construction of new trails crossing federal lands only where permissible under other law, necessary and required by a statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, approved by the DNR and the administering federal agency and consistent with applicable federal land management plans and policies.
Trail Use funding category definitions Nonmotorized project for single use: A project primarily intended to benefit only one mode of nonmotorized recreational trail use, such as pedestrian-only, or equestrian-only. Projects serving various pedestrian uses (such as walking, hiking, wheelchair use, running, bird-watching, nature interpretation, backpacking, etc.) constitute a single use for the purposes of this category.
Note: wheelchair use by mobility-impaired people, whether operated manually or powered, constitutes pedestrian use, not motorized trail use. Projects serving various nonmotorized human-powered snow uses (such as skiing, snowshoeing, etc.) constitute a single use for this category.
Nonmotorized diverse use project: A project primarily intended to benefit more than one mode of nonmotorized recreational trail use such as: walking, bicycling and skating; both pedestrian and equestrian use; or pedestrian use in summer and cross-country ski use in winter. Motorized single-use project: A project primarily intended to benefit only one mode of motorized recreational use, such as snowmobile trail grooming.
A project may be classified in this category if the project also benefits some nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the benefit of motorized use. Motorized diverse use project: A project primarily intended to benefit more than one mode of motorized recreational use, such as motorcycle and ATV use; or ATV use in summer and snowmobile use in winter.
A project may be classified in this category if the project also benefits some nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the benefit of motorized use.
Non-motorized diverse use (see above under “Non-motorized”) Motorized diverse use (see above under “Motorized”) Diverse use project including both motorized and nonmotorized uses: A project intended to benefit both nonmotorized recreational trail use and motorized recreational trail use. This category includes projects where motorized use is permitted, but is not the predominant beneficiary.
This category includes projects where motorized and nonmotorized uses are separated by season, such as equestrian use in summer and snowmobile use in winter. Other examples include a common trailhead project serving separate ATV and bicycle trails. Applications are typically due on MARCH 1 each year.
Stewardship Local Assistance Programs (STEW), Federal Land and Water Conservation Program (LWCF) and the Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant Program Guidance and Application Materials are all in the same booklet: Recreation Trails Program Grant Application form 8700-191R RTP Grant Program Ranking Questions & Criteria Responses form 8700-338R [docx] (MS Word form, download to edit) Recreation Grant Project Cost estimate worksheet Form 8700-014 Environmental Hazards Assessment Form 1800-001 Sample resolution for outdoor recreation aids Grant Payment Request & Worksheet (Form 8700-001) Grant Partner Cost Sharing or Matching Report (Form 9300-230) - Complete and submit with each reimbursement request.
Volunteer Labor Worksheet Used as Grant Match (Form 8700-349B) Donated Equipment or Equipment Usage Worksheet (Form 8700-362) Donated Professional Services Worksheet (Form 8700-350) Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) classified (standard) 2025 , 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , and 2019 equipment rates Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) non-standard equipment rates 2025 , 2024 , 2023 and 2022 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) RTP Prevailing Wage Rate Requirements (Davis-Bacon Act) Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) ADA/Accessibility Guidelines and Resources Accessibility Guidance for Grant Funded Projects (CF-031) US Access Board Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas: https://www.
access-board. gov/files/aba/guides/outdoor-guide. pdf Projects located on US Forest Service (USFS) lands must comply with the following: Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG): https://www.
fs. usda. gov/sites/default/files/FSTAG-2013-Update.
pdf Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails: https://www. fs. usda.
gov/sites/default/files/Accessibility-Guide-Book. pdf Grant related statutes and administrative codes Ch. NR 50, Wis.
Adm. Code For assistance with RTP grants, contact: Department of Natural Resources Your regional DNR grant project manager Grantee Financial & Record Guide
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: See the Wisconsin grants portal for complete eligibility requirements. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates See official notice Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.