Cumberland Valley boasts over 54,000 acres for Outdoor Recreation, including 200 miles of trails, three state parks, two state forests, scenic waterways and 46 miles of the Appalachian Trail, including its official midway point. Visitors to Cumberland Valley regularly indicate the natural beauty of the area is their favorite thing about their experience, and many visit to explore our outdoor recreation assets.
Beyond its tourism value, outdoor recreation strengthens Cumberland County’s economic competitiveness. Businesses and talent increasingly look to communities that offer accessible trails, green spaces, and recreation amenities as key quality-of-life factors. These assets not only attract visitors but also retain residents, draw new investment, and support workforce recruitment.
See below for a variety of funding opportunities for your Outdoor Recreation project.
CAEDC Tourism Programs:
- CAEDC Tourism Programs Presentation
- Grant Writing Presentation
- Tourism Product Development, Tourism Partnership & Destination Sales Grant Programs
- America250PA Sponsorship Program
- Tourism Impact Sponsorship Program (coming soon)
- Tourism Infrastructure Loan Fund (TILF)
Contact information for each CAEDC Tourism Program can be found on the Program’s page.
Cumberland County:
- Cumberland County Planning Department Presentation
- Cumberland County Land Partnerships Grant Program
Cumberland County Land Partnerships Grant Contact
Stephanie Williams, Senior Planning Manager
Cumberland County Planning Department
email: sjwilliams@cumberlandcountypa.gov
phone: 717.240.5383
DCED Grant Programs:
- DCED Grant Programs Presentation
- Greenways Trails & Recreation Program
- Local Share Account (LSA)*
- Local Share Account (LSA) Category 4*
*Interested non-profit applicants can apply through the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC).
DCED Grants Contact
Devin Gray, CFA Programs Division Director
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
email: Devigray@pa.gov
phone: 717.787.6245
DCNR Grant Programs:
- DCNR Grant Programs Presentation
- DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2)
- RSVP for the Nov 6, 2025 C2P2 Grant Workshop
DCNR Grants Contact
Lori K. Yeich, Recreation and Conservation Manager
North Central/South Central Regional Office
Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, DCNR
email: Lyeich@pa.gov
phone: 717.702.2043
SMP Grant Programs:
SMP Grants Contact
Julia Chain, Program Manager
South Mountain Partnership
email: jchain@appalachiantrail.org
Phone: 717.794.6071
