National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

Road construction site with many people and large equipment
Improvements to railway tour bus staging area near the Historic Grand Canyon Depot

NPS / Michael Quinn

The National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (Legacy Restoration Fund) established by the Great American Outdoors Act provides the National Park Service with up to $1.3 billion each year for five years, or $6.5 billion total, to address extensive and long overdue maintenance needs. The network of roads, trails, restrooms, water treatment systems, and visitor facilities in national parks is aging and often exceeds the capacity for which it was designed.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for crucial investments in our nation’s most meaningful landscapes. The projects address key climate and environmental threats, upgrade trails, roads and buildings, support local economies, and incorporate partnerships. The historical, natural, recreational and educational features in national parks are being protected and preserved for the use and enjoyment of current and future visitors.

In Fiscal Year 21, GAOA provided approximately $1.33 billion for 47 large-scale projects and dozens of MAT projects. In Fiscal Year 22, GAOA provided approximately $1.25 billion for 34 projects. View fiscal year 2021 and 2022 Legacy Restoration Fund projects.

The 2022 budget outlines plans to spend $1.25 billion on 36 large projects in 14 states, including major road rehabilitation in six parks and water system upgrades in 11 parks. View the data sheets of the 2022 projects.

Construction worker lowering a line off a bridge

Maintenance Action Teams (MAT)

Maintenance Action Teams are tackling deferred maintenance projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund.

Concept drawing of visitors walking in a renovated hotel lobby

GAOA News & Stories

As GAOA projects get underway, stay up to date with news releases and discover stories about how GAOA is making a difference.

Great American Outdoors Act Delivering Benefits to You infographic; detailed alternative text is on the webpage

Graphic designed by National Park Service

The image is an infographic titled "Great American Outdoors Act Delivering Benefits to You". It includes various national park-related illustrations including a backpacker and visitor in a wheelchair on a trail to a historic building, a hiker climbing a forested trail near a mountain range, and an eagle soaring above the mountains and sunset. Text throughout the graphic reads:

"The Great American Outdoors Act authorizes up to $1.3 billion per year from FY 2021 - FY 2025 for crucial infrastructure investments."

"These funds and projects help revitalize your national parks and generate billions in economic activity in communities across the nation by: supporting 43,700 jobs, creating $3 billion in labor market, and contributing $4.7 billion to the nation's gross domestic product."

"The Great American Outdoors Act established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF)."
 

Fiscal Year 2021 Projects

Fiscal Year 2021 (October 2020-September 2021) National Park Service Great American Outdoors Act projects are listed below. They can be sorted by park name, state, or estimated funding amount in millions. View the data sheets of the 2021 projects.

A table that lists fiscal year 2021's Great American Outdoors Act projects
ParkStateProject DescriptionFunding Estimate (in millions)
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Fiscal Year 2022 Projects

Fiscal Year 22 (October 2021-September 2022) National Park Service Great American Outdoors Act projects are listed below. They can be sorted by park name, state, or estimated funding amount in millions. View the list of 2022 projects.

The table is a list of Great American Outdoors Act projects for fiscal year 2022.
ParkStateProject DescriptionFunding Estimate (in millions)
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Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Projects

Proposed Fiscal Year 23 (October 2022-September 2023) National Park Service Great American Outdoors Act projects are listed below. They can be sorted by park name, state, or estimated funding amount in millions.

List of Proposed GAOA Projects for FY23
ParkStateProject Description Funding Estiamte (in millions)
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How the National Park Service Selects GAOA Projects

GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund is the largest funding source available to the National Park Service for major maintenance and construction. It addresses necessary large-scale projects on a level that could not be met through usual funding sources.

The project selection criteria include:

  • Addressing large projects that have been delayed because the cost exceeds funding capabilities
  • Readiness and capacity to do the job

The National Park Service also dedicated $14.1 million from the fiscal year 2021 Legacy Restoration Fund program to address smaller deferred maintenance needs in dozens of national parks through National Park Service Maintenance Action Teams (MAT).

Related Resources

  • Concept drawing of visitors walking in a renovated hotel lobby

    GAOA News & Stories

    As GAOA projects get underway, stay up to date with news releases and discover stories about how GAOA is making a difference.

  • Kids running with kites in a grass field

    Land and Water Conservation Fund

    The Land and Water Conservation Fund gives back to communities by providing grants to protect local lands and waters.

  • Maintenance worker using a power drill on a boardwalk

    Deferred Maintenance and Repairs

    The National Park Service is working to address the repair backlog to preserve parks and provide a world-class visitor experience.

Last updated: February 1, 2023