Recreational Trails Program
Forecasted
The Recreational Trails Program supports Montana agencies and organizations working to build, maintain, and improve recreational trails and promote trail safety and environmental protection.
Funder: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$100,000 per request; approximately $1 million–$1.5 million available annually
Summary: Funds projects that develop, improve, and maintain Montana recreational trails and promote trail safety and environmental protection.
Key Information: Projects must provide a match of at least 20% of total project cost.
Description
The Recreational Trails Program is a federal-aid program administered in Montana by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). It supports primarily recreational trails for motorized and nonmotorized use, rather than routes serving chiefly as transportation. FWP works with the State Trails Advisory Committee to review applications.
Eligible work includes maintaining and restoring trails; constructing new trails; improving trailheads, trailside facilities, and trail linkages; assessing trail conditions; and purchasing or leasing trail construction and maintenance equipment. Publications and educational programs promoting trail safety and environmental protection are also eligible. Projects must have a distinct purpose, and trails developed or maintained with program funds must have assured legal public access.
