Are e-bikes allowed in Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 395 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 395 and 395 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus National Forest Trails

In Stanislaus National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 395 trail segments (202 mi), Class 2 on 395, and Class 3 on 395. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 279 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

395

Class 1 segments

202 mi

395

Class 2 segments

395

Class 3 segments

279

Conventional bike segments

581 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 Stanislaus 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.	395	202 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	395	202 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	395	202 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
So. Fork Toul. River	9.4	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Tuolumne Canyon	5.22	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Donnell Lake Ohv 4x4	4.8	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Elliots Cabin	4.31	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Pinecrest Peak/Catfish Lake	4.12	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Twain Harte Horsemen	3.19	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Hull Creek Ohv-4x4	3.01	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Oxidine East	2.75	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Willow Mdw	2.46	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Highland Creek/Wolfborro	2.42	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Deer Creek (Upper)	2.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Pinecrest Ohv 4x4	1.85	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Sammy Springs 4wd	1.82	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Dorrington Ohv M/C D52 S16	1.76	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Hull Creek Ohv- 4x4	1.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Deer Creek Mc Trail Lower	1.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Straw / Fraser Flat Rr Bike Tr	1.6	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Hull Creek Ohv - Atv	1.55	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Hull Creek Ohv - Atv	1.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Hull Creek Ohv - Atv	1.53	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
8a	1.47	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Tamarack Ohv 4x4	1.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Hull Creek Ohv - M/C	1.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Bell Creek/Coffin Hollow	1.36	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Dorrington Ohv Atv D52 S10	1.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Hull Creek Ohv - Atv	1.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
10	1.31	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Mather	1.31	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Upper Clavey	1.3	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Water Tanks	1.17	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Cow Camp	1.17	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Dorrington Ohv Atv D52 S12	1.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Tamarack Ohv Atv	1.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Tamarack Ohv Atv	1.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Dorrington Ohv M/C D52 S19	1.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Sonnet Mine	1.05	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Dorrington Ohv M/C D52 S9	1.01	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Osborn Crest	1	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Dorrington Ohv M/C D52 S2	0.99	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Thirten Mile Creek	0.92	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 395 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 395 and 395 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Stanislaus 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.