SCPRT administers the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). RTP, a federally funded program, receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in nonhighway recreational vehicles.

• Funding is provided by this program on a cost-reimbursement basis — the grant recipient must pay 100% of the cost of an item before submitting a reimbursement request for up to 80% of the eligible costs.
• Funds can be spent on both Motorized and Nonmotorized recreational trail projects — to construct new recreational trails, improve/maintain existing trails, develop/enhance trailhead or trailside facilities, and acquire trail corridors.
• Eligible applicants include local, state, and federal governmental agencies, qualified private organizations, and registered nonprofits.
• Individual trail grants can range from a minimum of $10,000 ($12,500 would be the total project cost) to $100,000 maximum ($125,000—total project cost), except for Motorized projects.
• Motorized trail projects are not limited to $100,000 — these projects are eligible for the maximum amount of Motorized funding available.

Find out more on the 2025 RTP grant cycle as well as information from previous cycles below:

• 2025 RTP Application Guidance
• 2025 SC RTP Grant Schedule
• 2024 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• "12 South Carolina projects were awarded more than $1M" (Aug. 2, 2024)
• 2023 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• "Eight SC trail projects receive more than $770K through federal grant program" (Aug. 1, 2023)
• "Grants available for building and maintaining recreational trails across South Carolina" (Aug. 23, 2022)
• 2022 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• "SCPRT awards grants for 11 trail projects across the state" (Jul. 19, 2022)
• 2021 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• 2020 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• 2018 & 2019 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• 2015-2017 RTP Grant Cycle - Project Summary
• South Carolina State Trails Plan (2002)

Various forms and guidance for RTP project sponsors:

Procurement Certification Form | Reimbursement Request Form (PDF) | Reimbursement Request Form (Excel) | Individual Volunteer Timesheet | Group Volunteer Timesheet | FEMA Equipment Form | Project Completion Form | State Procurement Purchase Procedures (Updated 1/14/2022) | Procurement / Reimbursement Checklist | 2023 Project Status Report