Current applicant-facing funding opportunity
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division is accepting the 2026 (R26) Motorized Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant cycle. Applications opened October 2, 2026 and close November 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time as stated on the official R26 page and Online Grants Application (OLGA) announcement. This is genuine competitive state-administered federal recreational trail financial assistance, not a vendor procurement. This motorized trail cycle is administered separately from non-motorized RTP rounds.
Who may apply
Eligible California applicants include cities and counties, qualifying districts, state agencies, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations with management responsibilities for public lands. Nonprofit public-land management responsibility may require a written arrangement establishing planning, development, operation or maintenance authority. Applicants must demonstrate adequate project-site tenure and public access, including appropriate written agreements or easements when the project is on privately owned land. Specific federal and state requirements apply.
Funding and cost share
The program can fund up to 88% of eligible total project costs; applicants must supply at least 12% matching contributions. Eligible match sources may include appropriate state and local funds, private funds, donated materials and services, and certain other qualifying sources under the governing rules. The currently posted R26 announcement does not publish a universal individual-project dollar award cap. Past project awards or overall program allocations should not be treated as a current applicant maximum.
Allowable work and significant restrictions
Eligible work includes qualifying development, rehabilitation, maintenance or restoration of motorized recreational trails and related facilities, consistent with the official program procedural guide and project scope. Project proposals must demonstrate trail-user benefit and appropriate public access. At relevant stages, the project must satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, and State or local Transportation Improvement Program listing requirements. Completed NEPA documentation is required before application for projects on federal lands unless the controlling instructions provide an exception. Acquisition projects have appraisal and site-tenure requirements. Costs must be eligible under the grant’s approved scope and performance period; applicants should not assume all pre-award costs are reimbursable.
How to submit
Register or sign in to the California State Parks Online Grants Application (OLGA) system and prepare the current R26 motorized RTP application package, including required project description, detailed cost and match estimates, management/tenure documentation, and other forms described by OHMVR. Check the official RTP page for the program procedural guide, federal requirements and grant administrator contacts. Submit the final application in OLGA before 5:00 p.m. PST on November 2, 2026. An application to a separate non-motorized RTP round does not constitute an R26 motorized application.
Official controlling references
California State Parks OHMVR Recreational Trails Program and active R26 dates; OHMVR active grant announcements; State-adopted RTP Procedural Guide. Current 2026 program announcement and the standing program eligibility, funding, match and compliance conditions reviewed October 26, 2026.