USFS National Forest System Trails · Updated June 2026
Are E-Bikes Allowed on Trails in Colorado?
On National Forest System land in Colorado, e-bikes are motor vehicles and may be ridden only where designated. USFS data records Class 1 e-bike access on 989 trail segments (4,135 mi) across the state's 7 national forests.
989
Class 1 segments
4,135 mi
983
Class 2 segments
983
Class 3 segments
7
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.
Colorado national forests by Class 1 e-bike access
| National forest | Bike miles | Class 1 e-bike segments |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests | 1,723 mi | 319 |
| Pike and San Isabel National Forests | 618 mi | 182 |
| Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest | 134 mi | 145 |
| San Juan National Forest | 218 mi | 131 |
| White River National Forest | 915 mi | 100 |
| Rio Grande National Forest | 0 mi | 59 |
| Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests | 620 mi | 53 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many miles of national-forest mountain bike trail are in Colorado?
- About 4,227 mi of bike-designated trail across 7 national forests, from USFS travel-management data.
- Which national forest has the most mountain biking in Colorado?
- Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, with about 1,723 mi of bike-designated trail.
- Are e-bikes treated as bikes in Colorado national forests?
- No. On National Forest System land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, allowed only where designated. Colorado records Class 1 access on 989 segments.