Are e-bikes allowed in Angeles 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 Angeles National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 24 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 24 and 24 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Angeles 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 Angeles National Forest Trails

In Angeles National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 24 trail segments (36.3 mi), Class 2 on 24, and Class 3 on 24. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 21 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Class 1 segments

36.3 mi

Class 2 segments

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

46.2 mi

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 Angeles 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.	24	36.3 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	24	36.3 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	24	36.3 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
Silver Fish Trail	13.53	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
West Fork National Recreation	7.13	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Rowher 4x4 Ohv Trail	5.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Artesian Springs Trail	4.05	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Stone Canyon Trail	3.62	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Barley Flat Trail	3.33	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Buffer Ohv Trail	3.07	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Broken Spoke Ohv Trail	2.9	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lookout 4x4 Ohv Trail	2.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kenyon Devore	2.66	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Sierra Ohv Trail	2.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
San Gabriel Peak	2.18	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Break Ohv Trail	2.08	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Burton	2.01	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Flat Ohv Trail	1.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Zion Trail	1.86	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Tom Sloane	1.81	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Texas Ohv Trail	1.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bouquet Ohv Trail	1.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Spring Ohv Trail	1.42	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mine Ohv Trail	1.4	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Silverking Ohv Trail	1.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sidewinder Ohv Trail	1.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ridge Ohv Trail	1.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Portal Ohv Trail	1.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Yucca Ohv Trail	1.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
First Water	0.96	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Sam Merrill Trail (Lower)	0.95	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Stage Ohv Trail	0.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
King Snake	0.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Arc Ohv Trail	0.74	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sam Merrill Trail (Lower)	0.72	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Knob Ohv Trail	0.68	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Coyote Ohv Trail	0.56	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Zion Trail	0.5	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Angeles 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 Angeles National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 24 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 24 and 24 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Angeles 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 Angeles National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Angeles 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.