Utah Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) administers the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) Grant, which was established by the Utah Legislature to restore, repair, and replace aging or degraded outdoor recreation infrastructure on public lands. The program focuses on improving high-use, high-priority outdoor recreation areas to enhance user experience, ensure safety, and protect natural and cultural resources. Eligible projects must be located on publicly owned lands, including city, county, state, or federally managed lands. If the project is on federal or state-managed lands, applicants must coordinate with the appropriate land management agency and obtain a letter of support.

The RRI Grant supports a variety of projects, including trail restoration, realignment, and reconstruction for both motorized and non-motorized trails. Other eligible projects include the repair or replacement of bridges, culverts, trail signage, trailhead kiosks, restrooms, picnic sites, campgrounds, and accessible outdoor recreation facilities. Water recreation infrastructure such as boat docks, fishing piers, shoreline boardwalks, and boat launches also qualify. Projects that address key infrastructure needs beyond routine maintenance are prioritized.

Applicants are required to have a sponsored volunteer or partnership agreement with federal or state agencies if working on federally or state-managed lands. A letter of support from the appropriate land manager, such as a local Forest Supervisor, BLM Field Manager, or State Park Manager, is mandatory. For municipal public lands, a letter from the relevant government body stating its financial and operational support is required.

The grant provides funding of up to $250,000, with a matching requirement based on a county-based sliding scale. A minimum of 20% match is required, but applicants may request a reduced match rate with justification. Up to 25% of the match can be used for pre-build costs such as planning, design, feasibility studies, and engineering. Projects must be shovel-ready and completed within 28 months of the award.

Applications for the 2025 RRI Grant cycle are open from January 13 at 9 a.m. to March 17 at 5 p.m. The scoring and awarding process includes an initial review by the DOR staff to determine eligibility, followed by evaluation by the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee (ORIAC). The committee scores applications based on criteria such as community need, economic impact, recreational value, and accessibility improvements. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-May, and awarded projects must follow the post-award requirements, including signage acknowledging the grant and a mandatory site visit upon project completion.

For more information, applicants can contact Emily Meadows, UORG & RRI Grants Administrator, at emeadows@utah.gov. Additional resources and application guidelines are available at recreation.utah.gov/grants.