Are e-bikes allowed in Ozark-St. Francis 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 Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 81 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 81 and 81 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Ozark-St. Francis 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 Ozark-St. Francis National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in Ozark-St. Francis 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.

Updated October 2026

E-Bikes on Ozark-St. Francis National Forest Trails

Mountain bike

105mi

designated on 39 segments

16% of mapped trail

E-bike

255miClass 1

designated on 81 segments

39% of mapped trail

Mountain bike

105mi

designated on 39 segments

16% of mapped trail

Season on record: Year-round

E-bike

255miClass 1

designated on 81 segments

Class 1255 mi
Class 2255 mi
Class 3255 mi

Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.

Class 2 segments: 81
Class 3 segments: 81

Both lanes share one scale: the 650 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.

In Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 81 trail segments (255 mi), Class 2 on 81, and Class 3 on 81. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 39 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Reviewed by CanIBikeHere Editorial Team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

E-bike access by class

This forest has completed e-bike travel-management designations: the dataset records Class 1 access on more trail segments than it does for conventional bikes, because the e-bike fields were filled in comprehensively during that process.

E-bike access by class in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	81	255 mi
Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	81	255 mi
Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	81	255 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
Mill Creek Trail Blue Loop	26.13	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
West Outer Loop	24.85	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Huckleberry Mtn-Orange	19.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Bradford East Outer Loop	16.72	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #23	14.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Syllamo Bike Trail-Jacks BrancYear-round	13.03	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Syllamo Bike Trail-Bad BranchYear-round	12.03	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Syllamo Bike Trail-Scrappy MtYear-round	11.72	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Mtn. Loop-Apple	8.99	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Syllamo Bike Trail-Bald ScrappYear-round	7.3	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Mtn-Bell Springs	6.73	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Wedington Twin MountainsYear-round	6.73	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Western DonYear-round	6.54	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mg High Mtn Loop	6.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Mill Creek Burrell Mtn Loop	5.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Buffalo Creek TrailYear-round	4.93	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mg Gap Hollow Loop	4.8	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #40	4.39	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Cave Mountain Road TrailYear-round	4.3	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Syllamo Bike Trail-White RiverYear-round	4.05	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Mg Black Oak Ridge Loop	3.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Fire Tower TrailYear-round	3.73	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mg Black Oak Ridge	3.55	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Knuckles Creek Road TrailYear-round	3.46	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Azalea Falls TrailYear-round	3.44	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bradford Easy Loop	3.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Mg High Mtn Loop	2.92	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Mg Stave Mill Falls	2.91	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #42	2.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #46	2.61	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
West Outer Loop Shortcut M	2.43	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Kapark Road TrailYear-round	2.14	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Brock Creek #51	2.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #43	2.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Bear Point TrailYear-round	1.94	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sidewinder TrailYear-round	1.9	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
South Bench TrailYear-round	1.87	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Brock Creek #25	1.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brock Creek #21	1.74	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
West Outer Loop Shorcut E	1.73	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Ozark-St. Francis 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 Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 81 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 81 and 81 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Ozark-St. Francis 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 Ozark-St. Francis National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Ozark-St. Francis 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.

Where to stay near Ozark-St. Francis National Forest

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