Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Forecasted
Virginia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) supports Virginia trail projects, funding construction, maintenance, amenities, and accessibility improvements to strengthen public recreational access.
Funder: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (application deadline)
Funding Amounts: 2026 grants: up to $250,000–$435,000 by category; three-year project period
Summary: Federal matching grants support public recreational trails and trail-related facilities in Virginia.
Key Information: Future rounds depend on federal reauthorization and funding; odd-year rounds accept existing-trail projects, not new trail construction.
Description
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) administers the Recreational Trails Program in Virginia with oversight from the Federal Highway Administration. It supports the development and upkeep of public recreational trails and related facilities for motorized and non-motorized use. Funding is divided among diversified or multi-use, single-use non-motorized, and motorized projects.
Eligible work includes trail maintenance and rehabilitation, trailhead and trailside amenities, accessibility improvements, and equipment for trail construction or maintenance. New trail construction and new water-trail access points are accepted in even-year rounds. Existing-trail maintenance and amenity projects are accepted every round and are most competitive in odd-year rounds. Federal funding identified for the program ran through 2026; a future round depends on reauthorization and available funding.
