Are e-bikes allowed in Coronado National Forest?

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. In Coronado National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 43 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 43 and 43 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Coronado National Forest trails?

No. Under USFS policy an e-bike of any class is a motor vehicle, even Class 1 pedal-assist. A trail being open to conventional bikes does not by itself permit e-bikes — the trail must carry an e-bike or motorized designation.

When are bikes open in Coronado National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in Coronado National Forest carry a Year-round season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.

USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026

E-Bikes on Coronado National Forest Trails

In Coronado National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 43 trail segments (49 mi), Class 2 on 43, and Class 3 on 43. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 78 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Class 1 segments

49 mi

Class 2 segments

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

191 mi

E-bike access by class

Where a trail is open to conventional bikes, check the e-bike columns separately — a non-motorized mountain bike being allowed does not by itself mean an e-bike is.

E-bike access by class in Coronado National Forest, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1 designated	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	43	49 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	43	49 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	43	49 mi

Trail-by-trail (largest bike trails)

Conventional-bike and Class 1 e-bike status with season windows, per USFS designation.

Trail	Miles	Bike	Class 1 e-bike	Season
Las Colinas	10.42	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Canada Del Oro	8.28	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Brush Corral	6.22	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Sardina	5.16	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Butterfly	4.82	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Red Ridge	4.82	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Kentucky Camp	4.75	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bug Springs	4.72	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Coyote	4.71	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Little Casa Connector	4.64	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Knagge	4.19	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Stone Cactus Loop	4.13	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Cody	3.88	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Crystal Spring	3.75	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Milagrosa	3.72	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Perimeter	3.7	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Ophir	3.52	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Upper Puerto	2.71	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Puerto	2.7	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Wakefield Canyon	2.63	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Gillespie	2.44	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Molino Basin	2.39	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Perimeter	2.21	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Elata	2.11	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Kentucky Camp Connector	2.06	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Upper Red Spring	2.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Fish Canyon Ohv	2.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Box Ridge	2.04	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Moyza Plateau	2	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Moyza South	1.79	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Quantrell Mine	1.75	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Eureka Canyon	1.72	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lindsey	1.55	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ohv 4	1.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ohv 3	1.47	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Incinerator Ridge	1.42	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
W. Ash Creek	1.4	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sardina East	1.4	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Ohv Rte 1	1.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Barrel Tank	1.28	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Coronado National Forest?: 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. In Coronado National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 43 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 43 and 43 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Coronado National Forest trails?: No. Under USFS policy an e-bike of any class is a motor vehicle, even Class 1 pedal-assist. A trail being open to conventional bikes does not by itself permit e-bikes — the trail must carry an e-bike or motorized designation.
When are bikes open in Coronado National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Coronado National Forest carry a Year-round season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.