Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Since 1993, Oregon has funded more than 500 projects with Recreational Trails Program funds to develop, improve, or expand motorized and non-motorized trails and associated facilities. Oregon's annual Recreational Trails Program allocation is approximately $1.6 million, and at least 30 percent of the funds are set aside for motorized trail projects. Eligible trail types include motorized trails such as off-highway vehicle and snowmobile trails, non-motorized trails serving hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, and water trails. Eligible projects include construction of new trails, major rehabilitation of existing trails, development or improvement of trailheads or other support facilities, acquisition of land or easements for trail development, and safety and education projects. Eligible applicants include local, state, federal, Tribal, and other governments. Nonprofit organizations registered with the Oregon Secretary of State for at least three years prior to application may also be eligible. Applicants are directed to the current Recreational Trails Program Grant Manual for detailed eligibility requirements, program policies, application procedures, current scoring criteria, and grant management policies. The minimum grant request is $10,000. The program recommends a maximum grant request of $200,000 for non-motorized proposals, while no maximum is stated for motorized proposals. Applicants must commit to at least a 20 percent match. Match may include volunteer labor or other donations. Successful applicants are typically given two years to complete the approved project scope. Progress reports and reimbursement requests must be submitted through OPRD Grants, and recipients should refer to the current program guidance for reporting requirements and applicable state and federal laws. The 2026 grant cycle opens September 1, 2026. An online Recreational Trails Program grant cycle webinar is scheduled for September 9, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A Letter of Intent is due September 30, 2026 through OPRD Grants, and grant applications are due November 16, 2026. The published dates may be subject to change. Interested applicants must have an account on OPRD Grants to apply and may request an account at any time. Applicants select either a motorized or non-motorized application based on the primary use of the trails or project area. Application resources include the 2026 Application Worksheet, which provides a list of application questions that may be used to prepare responses but cannot be submitted in place of the online application. The program also provides an Application Attachment Checklist identifying required attachments and forms. Application forms and resources identified in the source include the RTP Land Manager Approval Form, Project Timeline Template, Land Use Compatibility Form, Trail Accessibility Assessment Memo, environmental and cultural resource review forms for projects on non-federal land, RTP Environmental Screening Form, State Agency Review Form, Transmittal Memo, and State Agency Contact List. Recreational Trails Program projects are reviewed, scored, and recommended for funding by a ten-member advisory committee. Committee representation includes motorized and non-motorized trail use, accessibility, and federal land managers. The RTP Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet March 10-11, 2027 to evaluate grant applications. In April 2027, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the committee's funding recommendations. The program contact identified in the source is Jodi Bellefeuille, Program Coordinator, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite C, Salem, Oregon 97301, telephone 503-856-6316. No program coordinator email address is provided in the supplied material.

Review the current RTP Grant Manual and scoring criteria; select the motorized or non-motorized application based on primary trail or project-area use; use the Application Worksheet to prepare responses but do not submit it in place of the online application; use the Application Attachment Checklist to identify required attachments and forms; monitor the published grant schedule because dates may be subject to change.