Five Recreation Grants for National Take a Hike Day

National Take a Hike Day is the perfect time to get out of the house and onto a hiking trail. The day is on Nov. 17 and focuses on getting out into nature and appreciating the beauty and wonder of the great outdoors.

GrantWatch has categories for sports and recreation grants, as well as a category for grants for the environment. And in honor of National Take a Hike Day, GrantWatch is sharing five available grants below that fund projects related to hiking and improving trails.

Overall, hiking is a good form of exercise that reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even some cancers. The activity is also a way to be one with nature and see sights that one may not have access to indoors.

When the pandemic began, many people were out of luck when it came to attending sporting events, movies, concerts, gyms, parties, and festivals. For this reason, many people turned to outdoor activities as the solution to their boredom. Hiking provides a way to get exercise in a way that is safe in these unusual times. According to a recent report from AllTrails trail navigation app and RunRepeat.com, hiking as an activity saw major growth in the U.S.

The report looked at more than 7.9 million activities logged on the AllTrails app since January 1, 2016. It found that the number of hikes logged in 2020 was up 171.4 percent compared to 2019. The number of individual hikers had also increased 134.7 percent compared to 2019.

Whether hiking at one of the famous national parks of the world or just hiking in the woods near where you live, there is no time like the present to start experiencing the magic of hiking and all it offers!

Five Grants for Hikers and Organizations

1. Grants of $250 to U.S. individuals and organizations for projects to improve privately-owned or public trails used for off-road vehicles, as well as public parks, hiking trails, and nature preserves. Eligible projects may include trail clean-ups, trail expansion, and trail restoration, for example. The funding source strongly advocates for the responsible recreational use of off-road trails.
2. Grants to Alberta and British Columbia teams of adventurers and explorers for expeditions across Canada and the world. Grants are to promote outdoor adventures and to publicize the expeditions for the benefit of the community. Any and all human-powered outdoor pursuits are eligible, including cycling, hiking, trail running, climbing, skiing, and paddling. Expeditions must be exploratory in nature.
3. Grants to Canada women for initiatives that promote mountain exploration and travel. Funding is to support creative and unique projects led by women between the ages of 17 and 30. Projects must include one or more of the following: skiing, climbing, hiking, mountaineering, paddling, sailing, ice climbing, or bicycling.
4. Grants to Arizona nonprofit organizations and government and tribal agencies to acquire or develop recreational trails for public use. Funding is for projects, including trails for bicycling, running, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, wheelchair use, ATV riding, motorcycling, etc.
5. Grants of up to $2,000 to New Hampshire nonprofits and agencies to improve hiking trails and search and rescue operations. Funding will go to proposals for public education, equipment, and group training.