The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (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 80% of 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), with the exception of Motorized projects.
• Motorized trail projects are not limited to $100,000 — these projects are eligible for the maximum amount of Motorized funding available.

SCPRT is accepting letters of intent from eligible entities until October 1, 2022

Eligible entities interested in applying for the RTP grant must submit their letter of intent forms to SCPRT by Oct. 1, 2022. Submission instructions are included on the form. Please contact Neal Hamilton at (803) 734-0735 if there are any questions.

Find relevant information on the upcoming 2023 RTP grant cycle and past cycles below:

• Grants available for building and maintaining recreational trails across South Carolina (Aug. 23, 2022)
• 2023 RTP Letter of Intent Form
• Tentative 2023 RTP Grant Schedule
• 2023 RTP Application Guidance
• SCPRT awards grants for 11 trail projects across the state (Jul. 19, 2022)
• Grant assistance available for increasing access to recreational trails across South Carolina (Aug. 31, 2021)
• SCPRT awards grants for 10 Recreational Trail Projects across the state (Jun. 23, 2021)
• 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

RTP Guidance and Forms for Project Sponsors:

Procurement Certification Form | Reimbursement Request Form | Individual Volunteer Timesheet | Group Volunteer Timesheet | FEMA Equipment Form | Project Completion Form | State Procurement Purchase Procedures (Updated 1/14/2022) | Procurement / Reimbursement Checklist | 2021 Project Status Report | 2022 Project Status Report