The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation continues to manage several specialized grant programs designed to enhance state-wide outdoor infrastructure and community planning, including the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and the Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance program.
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Funding
The Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) serves as a primary vehicle for developing new outdoor recreation infrastructure. According to the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, these funds are intended to help communities build recreation amenities that support local economic development, tourism, and improvements to the quality of life for Utah residents.
Eligible applicants for the UORG program include municipalities, state agencies, federal agencies, public educational institutions, non-profits, and tribal governments. The program offers several funding tiers to accommodate different project scales. These include Mini-Grants of up to $30,000, Tier 1 grants ranging from $30,001 to $500,000, and Regional Asset Tier grants spanning $500,001 to $1,000,000.
Additional specialized funding through the UORG framework includes the Community Parks & Recreation (CPR) grant, which provides between $5,000 and $200,000, and the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) grant, which offers up to $250,000. As of July 2026, the 2026 UORG application cycle is closed.
Specialized Grant Programs
Beyond general infrastructure, the Division of Outdoor Recreation oversees a variety of specialized grant options to address specific recreational needs. These programs include the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is federally funded and supports non-motorized and motorized trail development, maintenance, and environmental protection projects.
The Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), another federally-funded program, assists communities in creating high-quality, public outdoor recreation facilities. The Division also manages the Boating Access Grant, which supports projects improving or expanding public boating access to ensure safe and functional facilities for boaters.
Other specialized programs include the Clean Vessel Act Grant, which funds the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of waste reception facilities and pump-out stations. The division also manages the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Grant, which is open to cities, counties, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations to help sustain and improve motorized recreation in Utah. The next cycle for the OHV program was scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.
Youth and Planning Support
The Division of Outdoor Recreation also provides significant support for youth engagement and planning. The Youth Engagement Grants, which aim to provide outdoor-focused learning experiences for Utah youth ages 6-18, have a scheduled cycle running from August 3 through September 21, 2026. These grants focus on teaching physical skills that integrate outdoor recreation into a healthy lifestyle.
For organizations requiring technical assistance rather than direct construction funding, the Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) program provides specialized support. This program is designed to help build capacity at the local level by utilizing the Division of Outdoor Recreation staff's technical expertise and engaging consulting services.
Planning Assistance and Technical Support
The Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance program received a significant boost through continued support from the Outdoor Adventure Commission (OAC). This support resulted in a one-time allocation of $2.5 million to fund planning assistance throughout 2026.
Unlike many other grants, the ORPA program does not require a financial match, with the exception of costs related to detailed engineering and construction design. The program offers funding of up to $200,000 to assist municipalities, counties, federal agencies, non-profits, and tribal governments.
Eligible projects under the ORPA program must be directly related to outdoor recreation and can include a wide range of services, such as feasibility and trail alignment studies, NEPA/environmental assessments, and cultural or biological surveys. It also covers community outreach strategies, stakeholder facilitation, and the development of Master Trails Plans. Other eligible services include wayfinding design, conceptual trail and site design, visitor use mitigation strategies, mapping services, and field data collection for trail assessments.
Technical Assistance and Resources
To assist applicants, the Division of Outdoor Recreation provides various resources and direct support. The agency offers planning assistance through in-house grant specialists such as Noemi Molina, Jorge Vazquez, Evan Beitsch, and Rachel Toker, who provide expertise on specific programs like the UORG, RRI, CPR, and OHVR grants.
For the ORPA program specifically, Emily Meadows serves as the Statewide Recreation Planning Coordinator. The division also offers mini-consultation meetings, which may include site visits or a series of meetings to help communities determine next steps, connect with planning resources, or receive feedback on project goals.
