Utah Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant

The Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) Grant is a funding opportunity offered through the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR), a branch of the State of Utah’s Department of Natural Resources. The DOR is committed to promoting health and access through outdoor recreation, supporting infrastructure that connects communities with natural spaces. The RRI program was created by the Utah Legislature to address the deterioration of outdoor recreation infrastructure located on public lands across Utah. This includes city, county, state, and federally owned lands. The program is part of the broader Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) suite and specifically targets the restoration, repair, or replacement of aging or degraded recreation infrastructure. Eligible RRI projects must go beyond standard maintenance and aim to improve safety, user experience, or prevent resource damage. This can include substantial rehabilitation or repair of both motorized and non-motorized trails, trail-related infrastructure such as bridges, kiosks, or signage, as well as water recreation amenities like docks, piers, or launches. Campgrounds and picnic areas with degraded facilities such as restrooms, tables, or shade structures are also eligible for funding under this grant. Projects that serve people with disabilities, by improving ADA-accessible infrastructure, are strongly encouraged. Applicants for RRI funding must ensure that their project is located on public lands. For projects on state or federally managed lands, coordination with the appropriate agency is required. A formal letter of support from a land manager—such as a district ranger, field office manager, or state park manager—is mandatory. For city, county, or tribal lands, a support letter from the relevant governing body, including a statement of financial backing, is sufficient. Additionally, competitive applications must be well-planned and shovel-ready, including detailed plans, clear site locations, and defined timelines. In terms of funding, the RRI program offers grants of up to $250,000 per project. The minimum award is $5,000. A matching requirement applies to all applicants, with a suggested minimum of 20% and a county-based sliding scale applied depending on the applicant’s location and financial context. Federal and state entities, however, are expected to provide a 50/50 match. Up to 25% of the applicant’s match may be allocated to pre-construction activities such as planning, engineering, or design work. The funding is not available for annual maintenance, private land projects, or standalone invasive species removal. However, invasive species removal can be included as a component of a broader restoration initiative. The application window for the 2026 UORG grant cycle, including RRI applications, opened on January 12, 2026, and closes on March 13, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their materials early to take advantage of the optional staff review process, which can provide feedback on eligibility and areas for improvement, provided materials are submitted at least two weeks before the deadline. Required documentation includes a location map, site plan, budget spreadsheet, budget narrative, and letters of support. A W-9 form and statement of responsibility are also mandatory. All applications must be submitted through the official online portal. Applications will be reviewed by staff and scored by the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee (ORIAC), composed of members from various sectors including government agencies and industry experts. Scoring will consider project readiness, community need, economic impact, and the clarity of budget and planning. Notifications of award decisions are expected in May 2026, followed by contract signing. Projects must be completed within 28 months from contract initiation. RRI grants are issued annually, with recurrence expected each year. For the 2026 cycle, potential applicants who do not yet have a shovel-ready project are encouraged to consider applying for planning assistance through the Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) program in summer 2026 to prepare for future cycles.

Submit early to receive staff review and feedback; Use the checklist to ensure all documents are attached; Make sure the project is located on public lands and meets all eligibility before applying