USFS National Forest System Trails · Updated June 2026
Are E-Bikes Allowed on Trails in California?
On National Forest System land in California, e-bikes are motor vehicles and may be ridden only where designated. USFS data records Class 1 e-bike access on 1,513 trail segments (2,361 mi) across the state's 18 national forests.
1,513
Class 1 segments
2,361 mi
1,512
Class 2 segments
1,512
Class 3 segments
18
National forests
On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed.
California national forests by Class 1 e-bike access
| National forest | Bike miles | Class 1 e-bike segments |
|---|---|---|
| Inyo National Forest | 22.3 mi | 307 |
| Sierra National Forest | 0 mi | 253 |
| Tahoe National Forest | 172 mi | 207 |
| Stanislaus National Forest | 581 mi | 158 |
| Six Rivers National Forest | 21.7 mi | 135 |
| Lassen National Forest | 46.4 mi | 113 |
| Sequoia National Forest | 24.8 mi | 89 |
| Eldorado National Forest | 413 mi | 82 |
| Los Padres National Forest | 251 mi | 78 |
| Cleveland National Forest | 92.6 mi | 37 |
| Shasta-Trinity National Forest | 164 mi | 29 |
| Angeles National Forest | 46.2 mi | 24 |
| Modoc National Forest | 22.4 mi | 1 |
| Klamath National Forest | 0 mi | 0 |
| Mendocino National Forest | 0 mi | 0 |
| Plumas National Forest | 0 mi | 0 |
| San Bernardino National Forest | 0 mi | 0 |
| Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit | 0 mi | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many miles of national-forest mountain bike trail are in California?
- About 1,858 mi of bike-designated trail across 18 national forests, from USFS travel-management data.
- Which national forest has the most mountain biking in California?
- Inyo National Forest, with about 22.3 mi of bike-designated trail.
- Are e-bikes treated as bikes in California national forests?
- No. On National Forest System land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, allowed only where designated. California records Class 1 access on 1,513 segments.