Montana State Parks administers the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a federally funded grants program that supports Montana’s trails.

The RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from nonhighway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-highway light trucks.

RTP applicants can include federal, tribal, state, county or city agencies, private associations and clubs. Examples of eligible projects include: urban trail development, basic front and backcountry trail maintenance, restoration of areas damaged by trail use, development of trailside facilities, and educational and safety projects related to trails.

Montana State Parks collaborates with the State Trails Advisory Committee to review the RTP applicants each year. 

• The 2021 application cycle will be open from November 2, 2020 through February 1, 2021.
• The application will be available via WebGrants at funding.mt.gov.
• Virtual trainings for interested applicants will be held during the application cycle. Meeting information for upcoming grant training sessions can be found in the accordion section below. 

Training sessions will be offered virtually for prospective applicants from October through January.

These sessions are free and highly recommended for new and returning applicants to any of these programs: Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program (MTSGP), Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program, and the Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program.

The trainings provide tips on writing a competitive application, using the grant management software to submit an application, and understanding differences and similarities between programs.

Online trainings via Zoom will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 8, 2020: Noon – 4:00 pm
Zoom Meeting - Click Here for ZOOM Link
Meeting ID: 934 7435 6489
Password: 585885
Dial by Telephone +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999

Thursday, January 7, 2020: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Zoom Meeting - Click Here for ZOOM Link
Meeting ID: 939 9492 9269
Dial by Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999

• Recreational Trails Program Glossary of Terms
• Direct and Indirect Costs Guidelines
• Snowmobile & Cross-Country Ski Clubs Grooming Information
• Volunteer Hours Form
• Travel and Personal Property Reimbursement Form (xls)
• RTP Travel and Personal Property Reimbursement (pdf)
• RTP Travel and Personal Property Reimbursement Cover Sheet

Visit the State Trails Advisory Committee page for more information. 

2020 Recreational Trails Award Recipients