Overview

A description of the program, funding by State, and RTP legislation.

Guidance

Guidance documents to help implement best practices from a technical and policy perspective.

Publications

Studies, technical reports, and other documents.

Meetings & Events

Calendar of events, meeting summaries, presentations, and notes.

Useful Links

Links to State and Federal agencies, national trail organizations, and trail resources.

Welcome to the Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation by making funds available to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses.

RTP funds are distributed to the States by legislative formula. Half of the funds are distributed equally among all States, and half are distributed in proportion to the estimated amount of nonhighway recreational fuel use in each State–fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and off-road light trucks. See the Funding Levels by State.

Each State administers its own program. Contact your State RTP Administrator for guidance on State policies and project eligibility requirements.

Contacts and Links

State Recreational Trails Program Administrators List
Contact information for your State RTP administrator. This is the best person to ask about recreational trail policies and funding in your State.

FHWA Contact

Christopher B. Douwes
Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
Federal Highway Administration
HEPN-50 Rm 3240
400 Seventh St SW
Washington DC 20590
Phone: 202-366-5013
Fax: 202-366-3409
christopher.douwes@ fhwa.dot.gov