Off-Highway Vehicle Program (OHV)

The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreational Trails Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for the State Fiscal Year 2025. This annual funding opportunity is designed to support the development, maintenance, acquisition, and operation of recreational trails and associated facilities for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use throughout Illinois. The purpose of the program is to expand public access to OHV recreation opportunities and to repair areas damaged by unauthorized OHV activity. Funds for this program are drawn from the State Treasurer’s “Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Fund,” which is supported through fees collected under the Illinois Vehicle Code. The program is open to units of local government, not-for-profit organizations including OHV clubs, businesses, and private individuals in Illinois. All applicants who are not governmental entities must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance coverage for each occurrence involving facilities under the project scope. Additionally, private individuals are advised to consult a tax advisor or attorney to determine whether to apply through a formal business entity. Project sites must be publicly accessible for OHV use, and properties acquired or developed must be retained and maintained for public OHV recreation for a specified period, with land acquisitions requiring perpetual public access. Eligible project types include land acquisition (in fee simple, easement, or long-term lease), the development or maintenance of trails and scramble areas, restoration of damaged areas, educational and safety programs for riders, and specific infrastructure like fencing and signage. The program will not fund projects involving eminent domain, construction on IDNR-managed lands, or those that are not publicly accessible. The OHV grant covers up to 100% of eligible project costs, with no fixed upper limit. However, it is a reimbursement program, meaning grantees must initially fund their projects before seeking repayment. Matching is not required but may be used by applicants to leverage their contributions. The FY2025 application process must be completed through the AmpliFund Grant Management System. Applications that are incomplete or submitted under the wrong organization’s AmpliFund account will not be reviewed. Required documents include a narrative, budget, cost estimates, maps, public hearing documentation (where applicable), CERP environmental form, ownership documentation, and a non-refundable application fee of 0.0025 of the grant request amount, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $300. Awarded projects are subject to an additional 1% grant award fee (max $5,000). Project timelines must be adhered to, with projects completed within 24 months of award execution, and progress reported quarterly. All applications undergo a review process that includes site visits, scoring by IDNR staff, and recommendations from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Advisory Board. Final approval rests with the Director of IDNR. Evaluation criteria prioritize regional trail connectivity, underserved regions, high-demand counties, projects with minimal environmental impact, and those showing long-term sustainability. Once selected, projects must display permanent signage acknowledging IDNR’s support and must submit billing and reimbursement requests via the AmpliFund system. Applications for the FY2025 cycle are due by March 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Applicants must be registered in the GATA (Grants Accountability and Transparency Act) portal prior to submission. Questions about the grant may be directed to the Office of Grant Management and Assistance at dnr.grants@illinois.gov or (217) 782-7481. Projects cannot begin until a formal agreement with the IDNR is fully executed. Funds cannot be used for any expenses incurred prior to the agreement date.

Use the correct AmpliFund account and ensure all components are submitted; incomplete applications will be rejected.