Recreational Trails Program
Forecasted
The Recreational Trails Program supports Alaska trail projects, funding development and maintenance for motorized and nonmotorized use to strengthen recreation, access, and transportation connections.
Funder: Alaska Department of Natural Resources (State Parks)
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Not specified
Summary: The Recreational Trails Program funds development and maintenance of Alaska’s recreational trails and trail-related facilities.
Key Information: Alaska DOT&PF now administers the program, replacing DNR.
Description
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides federal funding through the Federal Highway Administration for development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and nonmotorized use. Alaska’s Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) took over program administration from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in October 2025.
DOT&PF aims to coordinate motorized, nonmotorized, and mixed-use trail projects, reflect needs across Alaska, and make project selection and funding more transparent. Its approach recognizes trails as part of the state’s transportation system: alongside recreation and tourism, they support access to schools and clinics, subsistence activities, search and rescue, and freight and mail routes.
