Are e-bikes allowed in Inyo 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 Inyo National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 517 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 517 and 517 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Inyo 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 Inyo National Forest Trails

In Inyo National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 517 trail segments (349 mi), Class 2 on 517, and Class 3 on 517. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 24 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

517

Class 1 segments

349 mi

517

Class 2 segments

517

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

22.3 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 Inyo 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.	517	349 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	517	349 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	517	349 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
Red Lake Trail Head	4.55	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
28e213	4.52	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sawabu Flat Trail	4.39	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e309	3.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Schober Lookout Trail	2.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Black Canyon	2.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Black Canyon	2.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hartley Spur Trail	1.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Black Canyon Single Track	1.91	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
27e106	1.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Montenegro Spring Trail	1.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e305	1.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e413	1.65	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
32e104	1.63	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e313	1.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
32e103	1.56	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e313	1.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
34e301	1.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e419	1.41	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
33e308a	1.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
29e104	1.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e419	1.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
27e207	1.29	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
29e102	1.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
34e308	1.17	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Coyote Ridge Trail	1.11	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Laurel Mountain Trail	1.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
31e306	1.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Black Canyon To Redding Canyon	1.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
35e314	0.98	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
33e304	0.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
31e102	0.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
29e101	0.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
27e208	0.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
36e404f	0.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
25e102	0.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Oct
35e401	0.86	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
37e402	0.84	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
32e312	0.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
33e315	0.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Inyo 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 Inyo National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 517 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 517 and 517 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Inyo 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 Inyo National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Inyo 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.