Program background
In 1973 the Minnesota Legislature delegated the responsibility of administering a cost-sharing program for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The goal of this program was the creation and maintenance of locally initiated trails that were financially assisted by the state.
This program is popularly known as the grants-in-aid—or GIA—program. The DNR has been delegated the responsibility of administering the funds appropriated by the legislature for the GIA program.
Minnesota's GIA snowmobile trail system has grown to over 21,000 miles. The Minnesota Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program provides funding mostly for maintenance and grooming, though capital improvement grants for snowmobile trails are also available.
Applications
Deadline: May 15
Maintenance and grooming application form
Benchmarks
Benchmark 1: trail completion
Deadline: December 15
Trail completion benchmark form This form certifies that the trail is open and ready for use.
Benchmark 2: grooming certification
Deadline: February 15
Grooming certification benchmark form This form certifies that the trails have been properly groomed from opening day through January 15.
Benchmark 3: grooming certification
Deadline: April 15
Grooming certification benchmark form This form certifies that the trails have been properly groomed from January 16th through the end of the season.
Benchmark 4: trail closure/application submission
Deadline: May 15
Trail closure/application submission certification form This form certifies that the entire trail system covered by the agreement has been satisfactorily groomed and an application for the next year has been submitted.
Other relevant forms
- Common trail sign order form Grant organizations are responsible for obtaining signs for the trail they operate. A limited number of signs are available from the DNR. Please use this form to request signs from your local Area Parks and Trails Office.
- Trail contact information form
- Grooming log
Capital improvement grants
While the majority of GIA funding is dedicated to maintaining the existing GIA trails throughout Minnesota, grants-in-aid for capital improvements are also available. These grants are reimbursement-based where eligible costs are matched at up to 75 percent. Total project costs must be at least $10,000 and projects must be matched at 25% of the total project costs. (For example, a $10,000 project would be funded $7,500 and require a $2,500 match.) See the capital improvement manual for more information.
Applications
Deadline: FY20 applications are open March 30 through June 1, 2020.
Trail improvement project application
Trail improvement grant process
Request for reimbursement This form is used when requesting reimbursement for eligible expenses.
Work log This form is used to document eligible labor, transportation, and equipment expenses.
Related information
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Recreation grants
Snowmobiling information
Annual Reports Snowmobile Trails and Enforcement Account, Natural Resources Fund
Contact information
For specific trail information in your area please contact your local DNR Parks and Trails area supervisor.