# National Trails System Projects (15.935)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/15-935-national-trails-system-projects/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

National Trails System Projects is run by Department of the Interior. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $35.5 million in 145 grants, about $244,591 per award.

## Objectives

To preserve, protect, and develop the components of the National Trails System, with a strong emphasis on volunteer involvement, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into written cooperative agreements to operate, develop, and maintain any portion of such a trail either within or outside a federally administered area. The Secretary may provide financial assistance to encourage participation in the acquisition, protection, operation, development, or maintenance of such trails.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $5.6 million | 35 |
| 2022 | $6.0 million | 35 |
| 2023 | $7.7 million | 43 |
| 2024 | $8.3 million | 45 |
| 2025 | $7.9 million | 44 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Trail Conservancy | West Virginia | $19.2 million |
| North Country Trail Association Inc | Michigan | $2.2 million |
| Ice Age Trail Alliance, Inc. | Wisconsin | $1.5 million |
| Santa Fe Trail Association | Kansas | $1.0 million |
| Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Inc. | North Carolina | $980,000 |
| Oregon-California Trails Association | Missouri | $838,037 |
| Trail of Tears Assn | Oklahoma | $803,351 |
| Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretative Trail & Visitor Center Foundation Inc. | Nebraska | $750,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Massachusetts | $725,949 |
| The National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association | Maryland | $653,894 |
| Connecticut Forest and Park Association Incorporat | Connecticut | $648,408 |
| Old Spanish Trail Association | New Mexico | $507,202 |
| Northern Virginia Regional Commission | Virginia | $450,521 |
| El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail Assn. | Texas | $433,123 |
| Youth Outdoor Experience | Arizona | $423,949 |
| Partnership for the National Trails System Inc | Texas | $396,761 |
| Environmental Education Exchange | Arizona | $315,715 |
| Overmountain Victory Trail Association | Virginia | $313,090 |
| New Multimedia LLC | Nebraska | $306,212 |
| The Fairfield Foundation | Virginia | $259,081 |