USFS National Forest System Trails · Updated October 2026
Are E-Bikes Allowed on Trails in Montana?
On National Forest System land in Montana, e-bikes are motor vehicles and may be ridden only where designated. USFS data records Class 1 e-bike access on 878 trail segments (3,223 mi) across the state's 7 national forests.
- Class 1 segments
- 8783,223 mi
- Class 2 segments
- 878
- Class 3 segments
- 878
- National forests
- 7
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.
Montana national forests by Class 1 e-bike access
| National forest | Bike miles | Class 1 e-bike segments |
|---|---|---|
| Custer Gallatin National Forest | 2,189 mi | 380 |
| Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest | 2,202 mi | 323 |
| Lolo National Forest | 182 mi | 77 |
| Flathead National Forest | 79.6 mi | 67 |
| Kootenai National Forest | 120 mi | 30 |
| Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest | 54.3 mi | 1 |
| Bitterroot National Forest | 0 mi | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many miles of national-forest mountain bike trail are in Montana?
- About 4,826 mi of bike-designated trail across 7 national forests, from USFS travel-management data.
- Which national forest has the most mountain biking in Montana?
- Custer Gallatin National Forest, with about 2,189 mi of bike-designated trail.
- Are e-bikes treated as bikes in Montana national forests?
- No. On National Forest System land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, allowed only where designated. Montana records Class 1 access on 878 segments.