Recreational Trails Program Grant

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded grant program administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) with the goal of enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Oregon. Since its inception in 1993, Oregon’s RTP has supported over 500 projects focused on developing, improving, or expanding trail systems, including motorized, non-motorized, and water-based trails. Funding is authorized through the Federal Highway Administration and passed to states to administer locally. In Oregon, the program is governed by OPRD’s rules and evaluated by the RTP Advisory Committee with final approval from the OPRD Commission. Eligible applicants for RTP funding include local, state, federal, and Tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations that have been registered with the Oregon Secretary of State for at least three years prior to applying. This eligibility extends to both public entities and nonprofits actively involved in trail management and outdoor recreation. Projects must demonstrate alignment with RTP goals and can include trail construction, major rehabilitation, trailhead and support facility development, land or easement acquisition for trail purposes, and safety or education initiatives. Each year, Oregon receives approximately $1.6 million in RTP funding. Federal rules require that at least 30 percent of these funds be allocated to motorized trail projects. Grant requests must be a minimum of $10,000. While there is no upper limit for motorized trail applications, non-motorized project proposals are recommended to stay within a $200,000 request cap. All applicants are required to contribute at least 20 percent of the total project cost as a match. Eligible match contributions can include cash, volunteer labor, donated materials, and equipment use. The 2025–2026 grant cycle opens on September 2, 2025. A mandatory online webinar is scheduled for September 11, 2025, and applicants must submit a letter of intent by October 15, 2025. Full applications are due by November 15, 2025, through the OPRD online grant portal. In March 2026, the RTP Advisory Committee will review submitted applications, followed by a vote by the OPRD Commission in April 2026 to approve funding recommendations. Final grant awards are issued after commission approval. More information and detailed guidance for applicants, including project eligibility, match requirements, and submission instructions, can be found in the RTP Grant Manual available at the OPRD website. For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact OPRD grant staff through the grants administration website at https://oprdgrants.org/.

Review the grant manual and attend the applicant webinar. Be sure to document match sources clearly and follow trail type requirements.