Last year, I bought my first electric chainsaw while exploring the Chippewa National Forest after the area had been battered by summer tornadoes. It felt good to do my part to help clear and maintain public lands—not only for my own use and enjoyment, but more importantly for the benefit of others. While cutting fallen trees, we crossed paths with a local four-wheel-drive group doing the same work, a timely reminder that caring for the places we explore is a shared responsibility.
In recognition of that responsibility, onX Offroad has announced the search for applicants for its 2026 nationwide Trail Revival Projects. Building on a year of measurable success in trail maintenance, volunteer engagement, and financial support for local off-road communities, the program follows a productive 2025 season in which more than 30 trails were repaired, over 400 volunteers were mobilized, and upwards of $50,000 was donated to off-road clubs and organizations. For 2026, onX Offroad is expanding the initiative and inviting new proposals from across the United States.
Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, onX Offroad has positioned the Trail Revival Projects as a practical, community-driven approach to maintaining motorized trail access at a time when many local systems face deferred maintenance, limited funding, and shrinking volunteer bases. The initiative is open to a wide cross-section of the off-road community, including clubs, informal groups, land managers, and individuals who are actively involved in trail stewardship. Successful applicants may receive up to $10,000 in funding, along with direct, on-the-ground assistance from the onX Offroad team.
The 2026 application process is already underway, with the first round of submissions due by March 1, 2026. onX Offroad is prioritizing projects that address common trail challenges, such as downed trees, erosion, washouts, overgrowth, and other obstructions that limit safe, sustainable access for motorized users. By combining financial support with hands-on labor and volunteer coordination, the program aims to deliver tangible improvements rather than symbolic gestures.
According to onX Offroad Marketing Director Haley Fetzer, the Trail Revival Projects are rooted in a recognition that meaningful stewardship often begins at the local level. She noted that off-roaders and community groups are frequently the first to identify problems and the most invested in long-term solutions, yet they often lack the resources or visibility needed to carry out large-scale repairs. The Trail Revival initiative is intended to help close that gap by amplifying local efforts and ensuring they receive both material support and broader recognition.
The results from 2025 illustrate the program’s scope and potential impact. During that year, onX Offroad partnered with off-road clubs, government agencies, and local organizations on 14 separate projects spanning 13 states. Collectively, these efforts led to the repair and improvement of more than 30 motorized trails. Volunteer turnout was a defining feature of the program, with more than 400 individuals contributing their time and skills, amounting to over 3,000 hours of combined labor.
Work carried out during the 2025 Trail Revival Projects covered a wide range of trail maintenance and infrastructure improvements. Volunteers and partners focused on retreading and expanding existing trails, trimming back encroaching vegetation, building fences and retention walls, and digging drainage features to mitigate erosion and water damage. These activities not only restored access in the short term but also aimed to improve the long-term durability and sustainability of the trail systems involved.
Beyond physical trail work, the program delivered financial benefits to grassroots organizations that are often responsible for day-to-day stewardship. By directing more than $50,000 to off-road clubs and local groups, onX Offroad helped support equipment purchases, training, and future maintenance efforts, reinforcing the capacity of these organizations beyond a single project cycle.
For 2026, onX Offroad is encouraging communities nationwide to submit applications that reflect local priorities and needs. The company emphasizes that applicants do not need to be large or formally structured organizations; individuals and small groups with a clear plan and demonstrated commitment to trail care are also eligible. The goal, according to onX, is to strengthen access to outdoor recreation by empowering those who live, ride, and volunteer in these areas.
Communities interested in participating are encouraged to submit their proposals by the March 1 deadline and help shape the next chapter of nationwide trail stewardship.
Apply at onxmaps.com
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