Arizona Grant Programs
Grants Navigation
Click the Explore Grants Pages and Programs button below to learn more about other grant opportunities available through Arizona State Parks and Trails.
Please contact the grants team at grantstaff@azstateparks.gov with questions about grants or the application process.
Did you know that Arizona State Parks and Trails has helped administer grant funding for over 3,061 outdoor recreational projects in Arizona? Have you ever wanted to add a new recreational feature to your town, city or county?
Arizona State Parks and Trails works with federal, state, county and municipal governments, as well as tribes, clubs and non-profits to help fund outdoor recreation educational programs, projects that build
recreational motorized and non-motorized trails, trail facilities, and playgrounds. These grants can also be used to develop ball fields, ramadas, picnic tables, grills, and tennis and basketball courts to name a few. Funds can also be used to increase outdoor recreational opportunities for those with disabilities. If your agency is considering building accessible trails, outdoor recreation facilities and/or educational-related projects, our grant programs will help you reach that goal.
Programs have funded some of the most popular parks and trails throughout the state including the Arizona National Scenic Trail, South Mountain Preserve, Horseshoe Bend, all Arizona national forests, state parks, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Reid Park, Prescott Circle Trail, Tucson Mountain Park, Hualapai Mountain Park, Flagstaff Urban Trail System, and the list goes on.
All grant programs operate on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursements to grantees are made according to the percentage specified in the participant agreement for eligible expenditures included within the project’s approved scope of work.
Grant administration is accomplished through the development of application guidelines and a priority rating system, the execution of Participant Agreements and Preservation Conservation Easement Deeds with grantees, and the subsequent monitoring of administrative compliance, expended funds, and project work.
Grant Program Details
Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) invites non-profits, clubs, local, regional, state, federal and tribal governments to submit grant applications for all kinds of motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. Eligible projects could include:
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Trail development
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Trail maintenance
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Pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use)
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ADA/accessibility
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Bicycling, equestrian use
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Off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, water trails, and other off-road motorized vehicles
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OHV law enforcement
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Trail etiquette and education (safety, environmental and cultural education)
Learn how to apply for Arizona grant opportunities, Watch How To Videos HERE.
Grants Manual and Administrative Guidelines
Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) invites non-profits, clubs, local, regional, state, federal and tribal governments to submit grant applications for all kinds of motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. The Grants Manual provides guidelines for project sponsors on funding opportunities and how to apply.
The Administrative Guidelines within the Grants Manual were established to assist project sponsors in the successful and timely completion of their awarded grant projects. The Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) Grant Staff will work closely with project sponsors to answer questions and provide recommendations on grant projects. Should you have questions or concerns regarding a grant project, please contact the Grants and Trails Team. Please click on the link below for the Grants Manual and Administrative Guidelines.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) became effective January 1, 1965. The Act provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress through Public Law 88-578, as amended, and receives its revenue primarily from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing.
- Available Funds: Variable (based on project needs and timeline)
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Eligible Applicants: Including but not limited to, eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies). Non-profits and clubs are not eligible for the LWCF.
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used for outdoor recreation facilities; ADA/accessibility upgrades; acquisition of park lands; baseball & soccer fields, bike parks, pools, playground equipment, splash pads, and pickle ball courts.
Recreational Trails Program (Motorized and Non-Motorized Portions)
The bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021 reauthorized the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through federal fiscal years 2022 through 2026 as a set-aside from the Transportation Alternative Set Aside program. The 112th Congress enacted the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). It leaves the Recreational Trails Program, a Federal-aid program codified in Federal statutes under section 206 of title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 206), unchanged. The program provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. Each state develops its own procedures to solicit projects from applicants and to select projects for funding, in response to motorized recreational trail needs within the state.
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Available Funds: Approximately $2 million will be available to award selected projects.
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Eligible Applicants: Include non-profits, governmental entities: cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies. Organizations and clubs may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible applicant, (e.g. forest land manager).
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used for projects such as trail development, trail maintenance, pedestrian uses (hiking, running, ADA-accessibility improvements-trails, signs, education), bicycling, equestrian, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, water trails, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.
Trail Maintenance Program (Non-Motorized Projects Only)
- Available Funds: $10,000 to $100,000 per project
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, county, tribal governments, State and Federal agencies), Non-Profits
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Eligible Projects: Routine maintenance on existing trails. tread maintenance, clearing of pathways, drainage improvements, replacing existing fencing, minor reroutes to make trail more sustainable.
Safety and Environmental Education
- Available Funds: Up to $10,000 per project
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, county, tribal governments, State and Federal agencies), Non-Profits
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Eligible Projects: Trailhead kiosks, emergency markers, trail related training, signage, maps, educational programs, trail guides.
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund
The State OHV Recreation Fund, established in 1991, provides a legislatively set percentage (0.55 percent) of total license taxes on motor vehicle fuel from the Highway User Revenue Fund for OHV management. Approximately $2 million is available annually through Arizona State Parks for OHV projects. In 2009, new OHV legislation was enacted to provide more regulation of OHV usage and additional funds to support law enforcement and facility development. All vehicles weighing less than 2,500 pounds and designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain are required to display an indicia (sticker) distributed through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The $25 cost of the sticker is added to the OHV Recreation Fund. State Parks receives 60 percent of the money in the fund for projects.
Large Scale Grants
- Available Funds: Variable (based on project needs and timeline)
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies), Non-profits and clubs.
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used to develop and maintain existing trails, acquire land to develop new trails, trail design and engineering, developing support facilities, cultural and environmental clearances, education, and law enforcement.
Small Scale Grants
- Available Funds: Up to $100,000 per Project
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies), Non-profits and clubs.
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used to develop and maintain existing trails, acquire land to develop new trails, trail design and engineering, developing support facilities, cultural and environmental clearances, education, and law enforcement.
Emergency and Mitigation Grants
- Available Funds: Up to $100,000 per Project
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies), Non-profits and clubs.
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used for trail damages caused by vandalism, fire, and weather occurrences when expedited grant dispersal is necessary to fix an unsafe condition. Trash removal and dust mitigation projects are also available.
Law Enforcement Grants
- Available Funds: Up to $100,000 per project
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Eligible Applicants: Federal, State, County, Local, and Tribal Law enforcement agencies
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Eligible Projects: Expenses related to Off-Highway Vehicle specific law enforcement efforts including OHV equipment, PPE, electrical equipment (cameras, radios, traffic controllers etc.) salary and overtime. Search and rescue, narcotics related, and border patrol projects need not apply.
Signage Grants
- Available Funds: Up to $10,000 per Project
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies), Non-profits and clubs.
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Eligible Projects: Funding can be used to purchase and/or install trail marker posts, trail marker decals, trail signs, and informational kiosks.
To assist with this responsibility, the Grants staff works with the following advisory committees:
Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC)
Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG)
Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT)
Natural Areas Program Advisory Committee (NAPAC)
State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF)
Arizona’s State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) program was established in 1960 by the Arizona State Legislature (A.R.S. §5-382) to assist state and local units of government to fund projects on waters where gasoline powered boats are permitted. This program is administered by the Arizona State Parks Board with guidance from the agency’s Grants and Trails Team. For fiscal year 2024 there is $5.2 million available for project funding.
- Funds Available : $5,000 to $1,040,000 per project
- Eligible Applicants: Game and Fish, Board of supervisors of any county, governing body or city/town
- Eligible Projects: Eligible projects must be directly related to bodies of water that allow motorized boat use. Projects could include development of new boat launches, support facilities on the body of water, marking buoys, watercraft, trailers, radios, lights and first aid.
