Funding Your ATV Trail

If you are passionate about four-wheeler riding, you probably can name a range of trails that can be improved or added to your city. It's easier than you think to get the necessary funds to make those quad trail improvements happen! We've created the following guide to funding your four-wheeler trail below. If you have any questions or want to look at 4-wheelers for sale, visit Maxey's Motorsports. We proudly serve those in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Edmond, Oklahoma.

Getting Started

Your first step is figuring out your goal. Maybe you want to improve an existing four-wheeler trail, but don't have a clear picture of the modifications you want to make. You can request funds to help you evaluate the trail's conditions so that you'll be better able to pinpoint your project's aims.

Or maybe you already know what you hope to accomplish. For example, you might want to add more amenities to make that 4-wheeler trail more appealing. You can submit a project with these amenities clearly outlined and request the funds to get them done.

Or maybe you hope to create an entirely new quad trail! Then you will need to get the land as well as the funds for construction equipment and materials. Keep in mind that you can't plan your trail on any land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management or National Forest Lands. You also can't create motorized access on specifically non-motorized trails or use funds to condemn property.

After you decide which direction you need to go, you can work with your partners to create a plan proposal!

T.R.A.I.L.S. Program

One great option for ATV trail funding is the T.R.A.I.L.S. program. It was created in 2006 by powersports legend Polaris Industries. The letters stand for Trail Development, Responsible Riding, Access, Initiatives, Lobbying, and Safety. These are the core tenets of the organization.

This organization helps out four-wheeler clubs and grassroots movements that want to preserve trail access as well as promote safe, responsible 4-wheeler riding. To receive funds, you will need to request them on behalf of 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(7) government or non-profit organizations.

Grants range in amounts, but they have a maximum of $10,000 for approved projects. The organization reviews proposals every April and October. The submission deadlines are March 1 and September 1.

Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative & ACT

This option is also from a powersports legend: Yamaha. The Outdoor Access Initiative gives out up to $120,000 of funds each year. They allocate this money to eight grant and scholarship candidates. They support projects that increase access to trails and improve riding areas for OHVs. To apply, you must be part of a non-profit or tax-exempt organization. They accept applications each quarter.

Yamaha also operates the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow program. This offers six scholarships a year to college students who hope to promote land stewardship. It includes a focus on improving safety for agricultural use of quads.

Recreational Trails Program

This federal program comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. Every state runs its own offshoot of the program and operates its own State Recreational Trail Advisory committee. This route will provide a maximum of 80% of a project's funds, so you will still need to get more funding elsewhere.

We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your four-wheeler needs, visit Maxey's Motorsports. We offer a wide range of ATVs for sale for all budgets and riding abilities. We also operate a parts replacement and service department if you already own a 4-wheeler and it's experiencing issues. Whatever you need, you'll find it with us! We proudly serve those in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Edmond, Oklahoma.