Are e-bikes allowed in Lassen 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 Lassen National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 165 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 165 and 165 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Lassen National Forest carry a Apr–Dec 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 Lassen National Forest Trails

In Lassen National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 165 trail segments (97.7 mi), Class 2 on 165, and Class 3 on 165. 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.

165

Class 1 segments

97.7 mi

165

Class 2 segments

165

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

46.4 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 Lassen 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.	165	97.7 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	165	97.7 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	165	97.7 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
Bizz Johnson	11.25	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bizz Johnson	7.49	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail	7.3	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Peligreen Jeep	5.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Eagle Lake South Shore	4.49	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Trail Lake	3.88	Allowed	Not designated	Jun–Oct
Peligreen Jeep	3.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Little Grapevine	2.95	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Grassy Lake High Lakes	2.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Rock Creek High Lakes	2.57	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail	2.53	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Grassy Lake High Lakes	2.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Indian Springs	2.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Turner Mountain	2.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Peligreen Jeep	2.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Murken Lava	2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Murken Lava	1.95	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Murphy Ohv	1.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Lassen Trail	1.84	Allowed	Not designated	May–Dec
Reese Flat High Lakes	1.79	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Fort Mountain	1.53	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ben Lomond High Lakes	1.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Star Lake	1.42	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
36n26 West Connector	1.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Tobin Ridge High Lakes	1.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
36n26 East A	1.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
36n26 East Connector	1.22	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Rim Butte	1.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
36n39y Connector	1.18	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Whaleback Mountain	1.17	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ben Lomond High Lakes	1.1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Poison Spring Ohv	1.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Long Lake High Lakes	1.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Poison Spring Ohv	1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
33n20 Connector	1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Fanani Soldier	0.96	Allowed	Not designated	Apr–Nov
Ben Lomond High Lakes	0.95	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
4 Corner Loop	0.95	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Logging Road Connector	0.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Peligreen Place East	0.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Lassen 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 Lassen National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 165 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 165 and 165 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Lassen 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 Lassen National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Lassen National Forest carry a Apr–Dec season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.