Funds for trails come from various sources, including federal appropriations, state funds, grants, and private donations. Regardless of funding source, most trails are founded on public-private partnerships and include some form of cost-sharing or leveraging, including volunteer support.

A Trail Advocate's Guide to the Federal Budget Cycle
Find out how the federal budget process works and how you can help your favorite trails, parks and forests.

Federal Appropriations
Congress directs funding for trails on federal lands. Funding comes from many different accounts within the agencies including the National Park Service's operations budget, the Forest Service's Recreation Management and Capital Improvement accounts, and the Bureau of Land Management's Recreation Management account, among others. For more information, visit our Federal Funding for Trails page.

Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been a cornerstone of conservation and recreation for more than 30 years. Federal and state land managers use the fund to buy land to preserve wilderness, create parks, and protect trails. More information.

National Park Service Challenge Cost-Share Program
The Challenge Cost Share Program is a matching fund program that increases participation by qualified partners in the preservation and improvement of National Park Service natural, cultural, and recreational resources, including trails. More information.

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA)
RTCA is the community assistance arm of the National Park Service. RTCA staff provide technical assistance to community groups and local, State, and federal government agencies so they can conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. More information.

SAFETEA-LU
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration is the nation's largest single source of funding for multiple use trails and related projects. The comprehensive federal surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, includes significant funding for trails through programs including Transportation Enhancements and the Recreational Trails Program. More information.

Other
Many State agencies offer a variety of conservation or recreation funding programs that may benefit trails. Visit your state’s Department of Parks and Recreation or Department of Natural Resources to see if trail projects might be eligible.

National Trails Fund
American Hiking’s National Trails Fund (NTF) is the only privately supported national grants program for hiking trails. More information.

The Conservation Alliance
The Conservation Alliance engages outdoor businesses to help protect and conserve threatened wild places for their habitat and recreation values. More information.