Recreational Trails Program
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a competitive grant program that offers funding for quality public trail projects throughout New Hampshire. Limited grants are available for motorized, non-motorized and diversified trails. Eligible projects include maintenance and restoration of existing trails, purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment, construction of new trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages. Applicants may be non-profit organizations, private groups, educational institutions, or government entities.
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. These funds are appropriated to the states by the Federal Highway Administration as authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program in New Hampshire is administered by the Bureau of Trails.
The Application period for Fiscal Year 2025 RTP Grants is now open, with Applications due by 4 P.M. June 14, 2024.
The Trails Bureau will be holding three informational workshops about the program, please email RTP Coordinator,
Jay Scarborough, Jay.A. Scarborough@dncr.nh.gov to register. Attendance of at least one of these workshops is mandatory to apply for RTP funds. The workshops will be held on/at the following dates, times and locations and will be held to 30 participants per session:
- May 8, 2024, at 1pm, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301
- May 8, 2024, at 6pm, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301
- May 15, 2024, at 6pm, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 629 B Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584
Forms
For application:
2025 RTP Application Project C - Community
Budget Detail for RTP Projects
RTP Project Administrator's Authorization
RTP Landowner Permission Form for PRIVATE land
RTP Landowner Permission Form for PUBLIC land
For contracts:
SAM.gov | Home NOTE: Only applicants who are awarded a grant need to register on SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Identity ID. A current registration for your entity on SAM.gov is required at the time of the contract and will need to be renewed throughout the term of the contract.
Quick Start Guide for Grant Registrations
SAM Guidance and Screenshots
RTP Municipality Certification of Authority
RTP Sole Proprietor Certification of Authority
RTP Corporate Resolution
For reimbursement/match:
RTP Billing Form
RTP Match Form
RTP Volunteer Labor Match Form
RTP Progress Report Form
RTP Annual Equipment Report Form
Guidelines
RTP Information Presentation - coming soon
NH RTP Guidelines
NH RTP Scoring Guidelines for Grant Selection
Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction
Buy America FHWA Guide
USDA Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails
USDA Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) Pocket Version
Citizens Guide to section 106 review
Everything You Wanted to Know about DES Trail Permits Presentation
Awards
2014 NH RTP Projects
2015 NH RTP Projects
2017 NH RTP Projects
2018 NH RTP Projects
2019 NH RTP Projects
2020 NH RTP Projects
2021 NH RTP Projects
2022 NH RTP Projects
2023 NH RTP Projects
Links
FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates
Natural Heritage Bureau Datacheck
NH Dept of Environmental Services, Wetlands Bureau
American Trails
Federal Highway Recreational Trails Program
Recreational Trails Program Database
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
NH GRANIT
USGS National Map Downloader
USGS Topo Viewer: a free topo map viewer and downloader (this only works with a new browser)
Buy America Field Compliance
How to set up Direct Deposit
NH Division of Historical Resources Request for Project review
How to Request a Certificate of Good Standing
Contact Information
For more information about the Recreational Trails Program contact:
Jay Scarborough
Jay.A. Scarborough@dncr.nh.gov
172 Pembroke Road
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3254
Fax: (603) 271-3553
Click the video below for a presentation of an overview of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program grants:
