Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Non-Motorized
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) administered by the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) provides funds annually to develop non-motorized recreational trails and trails-related facilities.
Application Process – The next application deadline is June 15, 2023 before 5:00 p.m.
- Questions regarding the RTP application process may be sent your Competitive Review (left hand column) OGALS Project Officer.
Post Selection Federal Requirements
Press Release for 2022 RTP Grantees
Program Overview:
The RTP is administered at the federal level by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and at the state level by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Active Transportation Program (ATP).
Non-motorized DPR projects are administered by OGALS and motorized projects are administered by DPR's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMV).
Program History:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (BIL) reauthorized the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through from Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2022 through FFY 2026 as a set-aside from the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside under the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG).
The CDPR has approved regulations for RTP - Title 14, California Code of Regulations Chapter 11.7, Section 4860. The regulations incorporate the current RTP Procedural Guide dated "FINAL, June 4, 2007" that became effective on August 14, 2008.
Partnership Opportunities:
The Recreational Trails Program encourages applicants to develop cooperative agreements with qualified youth conservation or service corps to perform trail construction and maintenance. The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is one of the many organizations that can assist with trail construction, maintenance, repair and restoration. To learn more about how the CCC might be able to assist you, please call (916) 341-3100 or visit the CCC’s website.
Additional Resources:
California State Parks Roads and Trails Program provides education and technical assistance to trail and open space managers and advocates regarding non-motorized trail planning, design, construction, funding and management throughout California. To learn more, call (916) 324-0370 or visit the Roads and Trails Program website.
The California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Active Transportation Program (ATP) consolidates existing federal and state transportation programs, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), and State Safe Routes to School (SRTS), into a single program with a focus to make California a national leader in active transportation. The ATP is administered by the Division of Local Assistance, Office of State Programs. Visit the Active Transportation Program website.