Snowmobile Trail Establishment Grant

The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Grant, funded by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, aims to enhance the state's recreational offerings by supporting local snowmobile clubs in developing and maintaining public trails. Funded through snowmobile registration fees, the grant covers costs for trail construction, signage, and essential facilities, ensuring accessibility and safety for all users. This initiative promotes outdoor enjoyment while conserving Illinois' natural resources for future generations.

Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund
Funds for the program come from a portion of snowmobile registration fees collected by the state. Grants may be obtained by local snowmobile clubs to develop and maintain additional public trails and facilities in the state. Although grants are made to private clubs, STEF-assisted snowmobile trails and facilities must be open and available for general public use.
Grant assistance may be obtained for the following:
Purchase of the following items or the materials necessary to construct such items: trail clearing, signs and fencing trail groomers, drags, and necessary trailers bridges/ramps for traversing fences and/or small streams (must be portable) parking facilities (must be located on public park land) warming shelters/restrooms (must be located on public park land) equipment rental necessary for facility construction other (considered on a case-by-case basis) Annual trail maintenance costs and minor equipment repairs to cover the cost of necessary fuel, oils/fluids, vehicle insurance and routine maintenance parts directly associated with the operation and transport of STEF-assisted grooming equipment while maintaining designated (DNR approved) snowmobile trails open for general public use. Maintenance costs incurred for necessary "major" groomer repairs may also be claimed for STEF funding PROVIDED the cost is pre-approved by the DNR Lease of tractors used to pull snowmobile groomer drags for maintenance of public snowmobile trails Mandatory liability insurance assistance.

Ineligibility

The following types of projects are not eligible for STEF funding: Land acquisition Projects outside the boundaries of the State of Illinois Any project which, either in whole or in part, will not be open to the general public for public snowmobile use.