Arizona State Parks and Trails administers the Small Scale Grants program under the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund, which was created in 1991 by the Arizona State Legislature. This fund receives 0.55 percent of the state’s motor vehicle fuel license taxes through the Highway User Revenue Fund and supports projects aimed at managing and enhancing OHV recreation throughout the state. These grants are essential for supporting smaller-scale efforts that promote responsible OHV use, access, and safety.
The Small Scale Grants are available for up to $100,000 per project and may be used to develop or maintain existing OHV trails, acquire land for new trail development, perform trail design and engineering, construct support facilities, complete cultural and environmental clearances, provide education, or fund OHV-related law enforcement. The goal is to help communities implement manageable, locally-driven projects that align with Arizona’s broader OHV management strategy.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations: governmental entities such as cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, and state or federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations and clubs. This inclusive eligibility enables smaller agencies and grassroots organizations to access funds to improve public safety and trail quality for OHV users.
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Applicants must outline the scope of their project and demonstrate its feasibility, need, and alignment with OHV use. Projects must comply with Arizona State Parks’ administrative and environmental guidelines. Applications are accepted during designated periods and are evaluated based on priority criteria, completeness, and community impact.
Arizona State Parks provides guidance to applicants through its Grants and Trails team, who are available to answer questions and support applicants throughout the process. Interested parties can review the Grants Manual and Administrative Guidelines for more details. This grant program operates on a recurring annual cycle, and updates are shared on the Arizona State Parks website.
Through the Small Scale Grants program, Arizona State Parks supports local and regional efforts to enhance OHV trail systems, promote user education, and ensure responsible recreation that protects natural resources while improving user experiences across Arizona.
