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 non-highway 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 2027 (Project E) RTP Grant is now open until Friday May 29^th at 4:00pm.
 

Workshop dates:

· April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 629 B Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584

· April 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301

· April 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301

Note: Attendance to at least one workshop is required to be eligible to apply. Each session is limited to 30 participants, please email Brianna.h.leone@dncr.nh.gov with your name and organization to reserve your spot in advance.

Forms

2027 RTP Application – Project E
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:

For reimbursement/match:

Guidelines

Award Archive

Links

Contact Information