USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Sierra National Forest Trails
In Sierra National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 253 trail segments (174 mi), Class 2 on 253, and Class 3 on 253. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 0 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.
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 class | Definition | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 designated | Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 253 | 174 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 253 | 174 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 253 | 174 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusy - Ershim | 29.12 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Swamp | 12.56 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Onion Springs | 4.99 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Spanish | 4.98 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Bald Mountain | 3.82 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Bow Tie | 3.21 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Brewer | 3.02 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cattle Mountain | 2.87 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Bear Diversion Ohv Route | 2.46 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Strawberry Lake | 2.33 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Coyote Lake | 2.29 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Plain | 2.25 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grant Grade | 2.07 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Stagecoach | 1.77 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Red Mountain | 1.75 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Blackbird | 1.69 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ridgeline | 1.68 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Whiskey | 1.47 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Red Top | 1.46 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| South Tam | 1.39 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Green Mountain | 1.36 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Mirror | 1.36 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Shady | 1.29 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Windlass Ridge | 1.24 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| String | 1.23 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Line B | 1.21 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Kamook | 1.19 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Whiskey Falls | 1.17 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Haskel | 1.16 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Mormon Hill | 1.13 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Swanee | 1.1 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Top 'O Hill | 1.1 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Line Loop | 1.08 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Tri Tip | 1.04 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Impah North | 1.04 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Fuller | 1.04 | Restricted | Allowed | — |
| Colonel | 1.04 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| S Express | 1.02 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Summit | 0.96 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cascadel Point | 0.94 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Sierra 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 Sierra National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 253 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 253 and 253 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Sierra 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 Sierra National Forest?
- Season windows vary by trail and elevation; check each trail's designation and current conditions with the ranger district.
See also: Sierra National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across California
E-bike rules in other California forests
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