Are e-bikes allowed in Eldorado 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 Eldorado National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 262 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 262 and 262 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Eldorado 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 Eldorado National Forest Trails

In Eldorado National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 262 trail segments (277 mi), Class 2 on 262, and Class 3 on 262. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 341 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

262

Class 1 segments

277 mi

262

Class 2 segments

262

Class 3 segments

341

Conventional bike segments

377 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 Eldorado 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.	262	277 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	262	277 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	262	277 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
Caldor Loop	5.21	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Pony Express	4.07	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Big X Atv	3.69	Not designated	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Pony Express	2.93	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Union Valley Bike Trail	2.89	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Big Brushy	2.87	Not designated	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Big Mtn. Loop	2.81	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Pony Express	2.73	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Pony Express	2.68	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
West Bald Mountain	2.53	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Pony Express	2.45	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Al Brass	2.42	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Caldor Loop	2.33	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Elkins Gold	2.11	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Crosier Run	2.03	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Rock Creek Loop	1.89	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Elkins Gold	1.84	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Big Mtn. Loop	1.84	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Darling Ridge Loop	1.75	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Crosier Cutoff	1.73	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Rock Creek Loop	1.42	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bluebird	1.41	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Rock Creek Loop	1.32	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Pony Express	1.28	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Pony Express	1.25	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
East Bald Mtn.	1.18	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Elkins Gold	1.16	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Martin	1.07	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Big Mtn. Loop	1.07	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Whaler Ridge	1.05	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Rock Creek Loop	1.02	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Crosier Run	1.01	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Crosier Run	1	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Big Mtn. Loop	0.99	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Rock Creek Loop	0.95	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Ball Park 4wd	0.91	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Forgotten Flat	0.89	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Hales Crossing	0.82	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Bald Mountain	0.81	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Camp Seven	0.81	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Dec

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Eldorado 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 Eldorado National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 262 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 262 and 262 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Eldorado 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 Eldorado National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Eldorado 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.