The Trail Stewardship Grant Program (TSP) is a state program that provides funding for the development, renovation, and maintenance of motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails and trailside facilities throughout Montana.
Donor Name: Fish, Wildlife & Parks
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Trail Stewardship Program was established following the 2019 Legislative Session when Senate Bill 24 was passed into law. Funding for TSP comes from a portion of Montana’s $9 light vehicle registration fee, as well as a portion of marijuana tax revenue. Since its establishment TSP has awarded approximately $7.6 million to over 180 projects across the state focused on the development, renovation, and maintenance of trails and trailside facilities.
Focus Areas
- Enhancing Trail Connectivity and Access Between Communities and Open Spaces
- Whether hiking, biking, or riding OHV’s Montana’s outdoor recreation opportunities rely on trail system connectivity and access points. To meet this focus area applicant must describe how their project contributes to the usability of a larger trail network.
- Addressing Deferred Maintenance and Aging Infrastructure
- Montana’s trails are being traveled by an increasing number of users and user groups. Oftentimes existing trail infrastructure was never intended to accommodate the increased use and new uses that is now occurring. To meet this focus area applicant must describe how their project will address deferred maintenance needs or provide infrastructure upgrades that will address or accommodate increasing demand or new user groups. Applicants should consider long term sustainability of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
Funding Information
The amount of available funding for the 2026 cycle is approximately $2 million. Applicants may request a maximum of $100,000 in grant funds, and there is no minimum request amount.
Project Eligibility
Not all activities are eligible for TSP funding. The following is a list of eligible and ineligible project types.
- Construction of new trails and paths including urban linkages
- Rehabilitation and maintenance of existing trails and shared-use paths, including grooming of trails for motorized and nonmotorized winter recreation
- Construction and maintenance of trailside and trailhead facilities, including but not limited to bridges, fencing, parking, bathrooms, latrines, picnic shelters, trail signs
- Provision and integration of features to assist individuals with disabilities
- Purchase of equipment for trail maintenance or construction
- Maintenance orstorage of equipment, including winter grooming equipment
- Restoration of areas damaged by trail use
- Development of marketing and ethics education programs/materials
- Trail based feasibility studies and planning
- Weed management inside established trail corridors.
Eligibility Criteria
Grant applicants may include tribal, state, county, municipal or federal agencies, school districts, and nonprofit recreational organizations and clubs. An organization can submit one (1) grant application per grant cycle.
For more information, visit FWP.
