Recreational Trails Program

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Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

Recreational Trails Program Timeline

The Recreational Trails Program is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. Examples of eligible projects include the construction of new recreation trails, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment, land acquisition/easements, trail accessibility assessment.

The RTP is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD), and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Applicants may request grant amounts ranging from a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $250,000.

The following entities are eligible and may apply:

Cities, counties, and townships
Park boards and park districts
State and federal agencies
Registered non-profit organizations
Federally-recognized Indian tribes

Please note: Only federal, state and municipal agencies qualify for funding of equipment for recreational trail construction and maintenance.

Important Information

The current application cycle is for FY24 projects.
Title VI requirements.
Minimum grant request dollar amount is $30,000.
Maximum grant request dollar amount is $250,000.
Only federal, state and municipal agencies qualify for funding of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment.

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Application

RTP Project Selection

Applicants must register in WebGrants to submit applications, see the manual for instructions. Link here: WebGrants Site. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) reviews all applications for eligibility before sending them to be scored and ranked by the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (RTPAC). The committee, which consists of trail users who represent a broad range of motorized and non-motorized trails and associations, meets each spring to evaluate the projects.

Once projects are ranked by the RTPAC, they are reviewed by state and federal agencies for environmental and historical clearance. The NDPRD then submits projects to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval.

RTP Funding Source

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal-aid assistance program to help states provide and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized trail use. The program provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking, running and wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, canoe/kayak trails, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (USDOT/FHWA) administers the RTP program. The Governor of the state of North Dakota has designated the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) as the agency responsible for administering apportionments made to the state. RTP funds represent a portion of the federal gasoline tax attributed to recreation on non-gasoline tax-supported roads. The federal government prescribes many of the regulations governing this program.

RTP Sponsor Funding and Title VI

Sponsors who are Title VI compliant may coordinate bidding and procurement on their own. Sponsors must follow the original procurement process for reimbursement. All bidding, procurement, and construction must adhere to Title VI requirements.

Local sponsors must pay all project costs upfront and then request reimbursement. Partial reimbursement may be requested as soon as possible or at least every six months. RTP grants reimburse up to 80% of the total project cost. Project sponsors will not be reimbursed for costs that are incurred before an application is approved and a local grant agreement is signed.

NOTE: At the time of application, the project sponsor must have at least 20% of the total project cost available to meet the match requirements. The local share may include tax sources, bond issues, force account contributions, donated labor, equipment, and materials.

Funded Projects

Funded North Dakota Recreational Trails Program Projects (2008-2017) by year awarded:

2023 (Pre-awarded; Construction not started.)

NDPRD – Comprehensive State Trails Assessment
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association – White Butte Trail Restoration and Surfacing
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association – Coal Creek Loop Trail 2023
Williston Parks and Recreation – Little Muddy Trail Improvements and Beautification
NDPRD – Icelandic State Park Heritage Connection Trail
Minot Park District – Outdoor Recreation Area Phase II
Williams County Parks – Lake Loop Trail at Blacktail Dam

2022

Maah Daah Hey Trail Association – Buffalo Gap Trail Restoration 2022
NDPRD – Trail Maintenance Equipment
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa – Turtle Mountain ATV Trailside Facilities
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation – Pancratz Trail
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association – Coal Creek 2022
Barnes County – Sheyenne River Water Trail
NDPRD – Snowmobile Program Equipment

2021

USDA Forest Service - Maah Daah Hey Pioneer Gulch Reroute
Barnes County Park Board - Riding Brush Mower
NDPRD - Lewis & Clark Prairie Nature Trail
NDPRD - Motorized Recreation Equipment
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association - Coal Creek Restoration & Surfacing
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association - Sully Restoration and Surfacing
Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board - Northern Cass Pass•City of Harvey - Pedestrian Pathway
Bottineau Park District – Forestry Park Trail Phase IV

2020

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District--- Sibley Hiking Trail
Bureau of Land Management--- Schnell Ranch Recreation Area Trial
Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass
Maah Daah Hey Trail Association--- Sully Restoration
City of Rolla--- The Legacy Path
Pembina Gorge Foundation--- Mountain Bike Trail Phase II
NDPRD--- Lake Metigoshe State Park D Loop Dock
NDPRD--- Winter Trail Grooming Equipment
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey Trail Restoration
USDA Forest Service--- Buffalo Gap Trail
SND--- Program Upgrades 2019
Barnes County Soil Conservation District--- Riparian Park
City of Lincoln--- Lincoln Shared Use Path

2019

Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass
NDPRD--- Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Trail
NDPRD--- Kayak Accessibility Project
Morton County Water Resource Board--- Harmon Lake Recreation Area Trail Expansion
Morton County Parks--- Lewis and Clark Trailside Facilities (Enzel Acres Park)
Devils Lake Park Board--- Devils Lake Bike Path Restoration
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey Trail Improvements
SND--- Program Upgrades 2019
City of Belfield--- Belfield Dam Walking/Bike Trail Restoration
City of Cavalier--- Cavlandic Trail

2018

Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass Rails to Trails
City of Horace--- County Road 17 Shared Use Path Phase I
NDPRD--- Turtle River State Park Trails
NDPRD--- Turtle Mountain State Forest
Fargo Park District--- Urban Woods and Prairies Path
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey Trail Restoration
SND--- Program Upgrades 2018

2017

Bottineau Park District--- Forestry Park Trail Phase II
Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass Rails to Trails
Minot Park District--- Woodland Trail Phase II
NDPRD--- Pembina Gorge Trail Link to Frost Fire
NDPRD--- Pembina Gorge Mountain Bike Trail
NDPRD--- Turtle River State Park Trail
SND--- Program Upgrades 2017
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey and Buffalo Gap Trail Surfacing and Restoration

2016

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District--- Sunrise Shared Use Path-Hitchcock to Northrop
Cass County Commission--- County Road 28 Shared Use Path
Casselton Park District--- Tinta Tawa Park Resurfacing
Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass Rails to Trails
NDPRD--- Pembina Gorge Trailhead Overlook
SND--- Program Upgrades 2016
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey Surfacing and Restoration
USDA Forest Service---North Country Trail Extension

2015

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District--- Edgewood Shared Use Path-East Segment II
City of Beach--- Multi-Use Path Phase II
City of Milnor--- Multi-Use Path to Park/Pool
SND--- Program Upgrades 2015
USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey 2015
Watford City Park District--- Koser Field Walking Path

Full list of projects

Resources

Meeting Minutes

Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ensures that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination, including sex, age, disability, low-income, or LEP discrimination, under any program or activity for which the Recipient receives Federal financial assistance. It is the policy of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related statutes or regulations in all programs and activities.

Title VI and Nondiscrimination Program Manual

Title VI Complaint Form

Title VI Presentation

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Featured Completed RTP Project

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Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa: ATV Trailside Facilities

The use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) for both utility and recreation has grown in North Dakota, particularly in the northwest region where the Turtle Mountain landscape attracts trail riders. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribe secured a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant in 2021 to enhance their ATV trail near Belcourt. The grant facilitated the installation of two vault toilets and resurfacing of the trail parking lot on the 8.87-mile TMBC ATV Trail, which connects to the 12-mile North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department trail. The trail features various paths, including the Tyler Grant Memorial Trail, Wakopa Recreational Trail, and Silver Bullet Trail.

Jeffery Desjarlais Jr., TMBC Natural Resource Director, passionate about motorized recreation, aimed to improve facilities on the trail. The addition of ATV trailside parking areas with vault toilets, especially considering the growing number of female riders, enhances the trail experience. The Aspen-style vault toilets offer accessible women's and men's rooms equipped with essentials like toilets, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer stations. The trail community expressed excitement and gratitude through social media and visits to the TMBC Natural Resources Division office, acknowledging the RTP grant's vital role in expanding facilities and improving the overall trail experience.