Snowmobile Trail Aids
Snowmobile Trail Aids supports Wisconsin counties and tribes with trail maintenance, bridge work, rehabilitation and development to keep public snowmobile routes connected and safe to ride.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: April 15, 2027 (Maintenance and development) | August 1, 2027 (Supplemental maintenance)
Funding Amounts: General trail development: up to $500 per mile, unless a higher amount is recommended and approved
Summary: Reimbursement aid helps Wisconsin counties and tribes maintain, rehabilitate and develop public snowmobile trails.
Key Information: Costs incurred before receipt of a grant are not reimbursable and may jeopardize the entire grant.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers Snowmobile Trail Aids to support nearly 25,000 miles of interconnected public trails. Grants awarded to counties help reimburse expenses incurred by snowmobile clubs, whose volunteers secure landowner permission, clear and sign trails, and groom them for safe riding. The program is funded by snowmobile registrations, trail pass revenue and a portion of gas tax.
Funding priorities begin with maintenance of existing approved trails, including county liability insurance and certain short-term easements. The program also supports major bridge reconstruction or rehabilitation, route signing, trail rehabilitation and new trail development. Rehabilitation can restore corridors after storm damage or erosion or improve visibility by widening and straightening trail segments.
