News•Mar 9, 2026
Millions of Dollars in Trail Maintenance Funding Have Been Cut in Washington State
Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife and State Parks announced a $7 million budget reduction for 2025, slicing $3 million—about 20%—from trail and facility maintenance. Additional proposals could trim another $3 million in 2026, with the DNR slated to lose $750,000. The cuts jeopardize contracts with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, which maintain flagship trails like Tiger Mountain and Raging River. With staffing already thin—one employee per 21.6 miles of trail—maintenance quality and visitor safety are expected to decline.
