2468 - *RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM - MOTORIZED*
Funding Opportunity Details

Recreational Trails Program

Pre Application Deadline: Oct 23, 2026 11:59 PM

Final Application Deadline: Nov 6, 2026 11:59 PM

Description

•  

  Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) invites Federal, State, County, Tribal, Municipal and Non-Profit agencies to submit a grant application for motorized (ATV, Side by Sides, Dirt bike, 4x4) recreational trail uses.

  SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR MOTORIZED PROGRAMS:

  Federal (Recreational Trails Program)

  • Administered by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona State Parks and Trails.

  ELIGIBLE AGENCIES:

  • Federal, State, and Tribal agencies
  • Cities, Towns, Counties
  • Third party applicants: Non-Profit Organizations can also develop agreements with eligible project sponsors (i.e. public land managers) to act as “third party” applicants. Third party applicants may coordinate all phases of the project and receive direct reimbursement from State Parks with appropriate documentation from the eligible applicant/project sponsor

  ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:

  • Development and/or maintenance of motorized trails including trailheads and trail facilities
  • Acquisition Projects, purchase/lease recreational trails equipment
  • Signage, fencing
  • Trail Accessibility enhancements
  • Projects can contain a trail related safety and environmental education component, including development and coordination of trail related youth development programs

   

  NOT ELIGIBLE:

  • Cultural/environmental/archeological assessments are not eligible for reimbursement with Federal funds
  • Trail Planning
  • Landscaping and irrigation for beautification are not eligible scope items. Beautification Landscaping is defined as the addition of trees, bushes, shrubs, cacti, grass, flowers, or rock with the sole purpose of beautifying an area
  • Development of local or regional plans is not eligible for funding
  • Funds cannot be used for administrative or overhead costs, or costs associated with this grant application preparation
  • Food and beverage
  • Routine Trail Maintenance
  • Costs incurred prior to PROJECT APPROVAL are not eligible for funding - including Costs associated with design and engineering
  • Monies in the Recreational Trails Program shall not be used to construct new trails or routes on environmentally or culturally sensitive land unless the appropriate land management agency determines that certain new trail construction would benefit or protect cultural or sensitive sites. For the purposes of this subsection, “environmentally or culturally sensitive land” means areas of lands that are either:
    • Administratively or legislatively designated by the federal government as any of the following:

  (a) A national monument;

  (b) An area of critical environmental concern;

  (c) A conservation area; or

  (d) An inventoried road-less area.

  · Or - Determined by the applicable land management agency to contain significant natural or cultural resources or values.

  Program Notes

  • Before entering into a Project Agreement, Grant Applicants (Also referred to as PROJECT SPONSORS) must have a shovel ready project
  • Due to the application/review process, the earliest funding may be available is July 1, 2027, but note that the available funding date varies pending ADOT final review and approval which could take several additional months beyond July 1
  • Maximum allowable amount an applicant may request is $450,000
  • Minimum 5.7% match
    • If the grant applicant/sponsor is a Federal entity - 5% match must be from non-federal sources, remaining 0.7% can be federal match
  • Project must be initiated and reimbursement requests(s) submitted within 6 months of award
  • Status Reporting is required
    • Frequency is based on Risk Assessment (monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly)
  • Unless applying for a Trail Crew specific project (additional information below), grant is reimbursement based
  • * If application is only focused on Safety and Environmental Education, it is recommended to apply to RTP SEE

   

  *Note for Motorized Trail Crew Only Projects

  · Solely for maintenance, minor reroutes or construction of trails

  · Simplified budget – Trail Crew and Match only

  · Sponsor will choose from 1 of 6 State Contracted Trail Crews (see attachments)

  · ASPT will pay trail crew directly

  · Sponsor will still provide the minimum 5.7% match

  · If you wish to apply for a Trail Crew Only Project, Select “Yes” to the question: “Will your budget consist of only one Trail Crew line item for maintenance, reroute or construction of a specific trail?” in the Pre-Application

   

  HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN AN ENTITY SUBMIT PER CYCLE?

  1. An entity cannot apply for more than one grant in any one Recreational Trails Program funding category
  2. An entity can apply for one Motorized or Motorized Trail Crew Only and one SEE grant.
     1. For policy purposes an applicant can apply for both a Motorized or Trail Crew grant and a Safety and Environmental Education (SEE) grant. However, each application must be different in scope and location. An applicant cannot submit for both hoping that at least part of the project be funded. If you are building a new 2-mile trail with kiosks, interpretive signs and printing new maps the project would all go in a Motorized Trail application.
  3. Each Forest Ranger District and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office will be considered as a separate entity.

  *Note: If starting a new application, please do not click “copy an existing application” at this time. A pre-application is required for all applications. Click “Start a New Application”.

   

  DEADLINE: EXTENDED

  Pre-Applications are due by Friday - October 2, 2026 - 11:59 PM

  Final Applications are due by Friday - November 6, 2026 - 11:59 PM

  Projects will be reviewed and scored by staff, then forwarded to the Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG), Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC), and the Arizona State Parks Board for review and approval.

  Do NOT incur grant related expenses on your project until you have received a fully signed agreement and Approval to Proceed.

   

  SCORING CRITERIA:

  Motorized/Non-Motorized Scoring Criteria	Maximum Points
  Connection to associated Planning Document (Each item is worth up to 5 points) • Will funds be used to maintain existing trails? • Will funds be used to develop signage, maps, and educational materials? • Will funds be used to promote safe and responsible recreation through education and enforcement? • Will funds be used to design and construct new sustainable trails with a focus of connecting trails, parks, and communities? • Will funds be used to obtain land for trails or trail access? • Will funds be used to develop or improve accessible trails or facilities? • Will funds be used to develop trail management plans addressing changing conditions? • Will funds be used to complete environmental or cultural clearance and compliance? • Will funds be used to create a memorable visitor experience to support trail stewardship? • Will funds be used to prevent and/or repair damages to sensitive environmental and/or cultural sites?	50
  Comprehensive Budget (Each item is worth up to 5 points) •Does the budget provide enough detail to hold the sponsor accountable, but is also flexible enough to allow for changes? •Are budget items allowable for the specific grant? •Are costs reasonable? •Does the proposal meet or exceed the necessary match requirements?	20
  Time and Planning (Each item is worth up to 5 points) • Is the project shovel-ready? (Can commence within 1-3 months of project approval) • Is the proposed timeline realistic/attainable?	10
  Application Quality • Draft Resolution • Land Manager approval letter • Other Required application documentation	10
  Special Considerations •Is the sponsor a first-time applicant? 5pts. • Matching Funds: 2pts > 10%, 1pt <10% • Diversity of Trail Uses: 2pts ≥ 2 uses, 1pt < 2 uses • Letters of Support 1pt. Regardless of the number of letters	10
  Total	100