Are e-bikes allowed in Six Rivers 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 Six Rivers National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 140 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 140 and 140 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Six Rivers 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 Six Rivers National Forest Trails

In Six Rivers National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 140 trail segments (66.3 mi), Class 2 on 140, and Class 3 on 140. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 7 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

140

Class 1 segments

66.3 mi

140

Class 2 segments

140

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

21.7 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 Six Rivers 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.	140	66.3 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	140	66.3 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	140	66.3 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
Elk Camp Ridge	8.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Old South Kelsey	7.93	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Little Bald Hills	5.17	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
High Dome	3.98	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hayfork	3.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Craigs Creek Trail	3.64	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Dan East	3.52	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Torrey	3.48	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
French Hill	2.77	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Skull Camp	2.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mad Ridge Trail	2.29	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Blake Mountain	1.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Green Mountain	1.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Horse Mountain Lookout	1.79	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Last Chance	1.77	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Skull Camp	1.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Van Mad A	1.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Mad Ridge Trail	1.52	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Barry Creek	1.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Wiregrass	1.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kelsey Peaks	1.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Paradise	1.1	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Pilot Ridge Far North	1.08	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Eight Mile Jeep Trail	1.08	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mad Ridge Trail	1.07	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Hettenshaw	1.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mc Clendon Ford	0.99	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Happy Jack	0.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Happy Jack	0.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Henry	0.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Horse Ridge	0.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lone Pine East	0.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
North Barry Creek	0.52	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Pilot Ridge Far South	0.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Six Rivers 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 Six Rivers National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 140 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 140 and 140 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Six Rivers 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 Six Rivers National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Six Rivers 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.