Are e-bikes allowed in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?

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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Class 1 access is recorded on 398 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 398 and 398 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?

Most bike-designated trails in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Trails

In Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 398 trail segments (1,099 mi), Class 2 on 398, and Class 3 on 398. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 576 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

398

Class 1 segments

1,099 mi

398

Class 2 segments

398

Class 3 segments

576

Conventional bike segments

1,618 mi

E-bike access by class

Where a trail is open to conventional bikes, check the e-bike columns separately — a non-motorized mountain bike being allowed does not by itself mean an e-bike is.

E-bike access by class in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, 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.	398	1,099 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	398	1,099 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	398	1,099 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
Canyon Creek	12.01	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Palisade Plunge	11.69	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Razor Creek	11.34	Allowed	Allowed	Jan–Feb, May–Dec
Deer Creek	8.74	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Goat Creek Snowmobile	8.72	Allowed	Not designated	Jan–Apr, December
Larson Lakes	6.99	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Palisade Plunge	6.93	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cement Mountain	6.88	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Big Bend Creek	6.7	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Dallas	6.15	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Mid Beaver Snowmobile	5.97	Allowed	Not designated	Jan–Apr, December
West Beaver Snowmobile	5.51	Allowed	Not designated	Jan–Apr, December
Portis Loop	5.46	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Naturita Rim Loop	5.44	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Bridal Veil Creek	4.75	Allowed	Not designated	Jul–Oct
Teocalli Ridge	4.72	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Thunder Loop	4.64	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Saguache Park	4.58	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Dutchman Creek	4.52	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Goshorn Loop	4.01	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Black Gulch	3.98	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Napolean Pass	3.92	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Dallas	3.88	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Block And Tackle	3.58	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Brush Creek	3.57	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Sep
Little Pass Creek	3.52	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Long Branch	3.38	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lily Pond	3.13	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Waterfall Creek	3.09	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Left Hand	3.05	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Mount Tilton	2.47	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Farris Creek	2.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Waunita	2.2	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Alder Creek	2.19	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Strand Hill	2.13	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Long Branch	2.09	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Farris Creek Connector	2.04	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Portland	1.99	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Cameron Gulch	1.99	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Hicks Gulch	1.88	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?: 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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Class 1 access is recorded on 398 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 398 and 398 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?: Most bike-designated trails in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 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.