Are e-bikes allowed in Medicine Bow-Routt 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 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 231 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 231 and 231 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Medicine Bow-Routt 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 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in Medicine Bow-Routt 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 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Trails

In Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 231 trail segments (667 mi), Class 2 on 231, and Class 3 on 231. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 58 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

231

Class 1 segments

667 mi

231

Class 2 segments

231

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

134 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 Medicine Bow-Routt 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.	231	667 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	231	667 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	231	667 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
California Park Snowmobile	14.9	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Snyder Creek Loop	13.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Farwell Snowmobile	12	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Quealy Reservoir Spur	11.74	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Oct
Meaden Peak Snowmobile	10.6	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Seedhouse Snowmobile	9.5	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Whiskey Creek	8.1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Continental Divide Atv	7.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Columbine Snowmobile	7	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Nipple Peak	6.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Oct
Ute-Heart Lake	6.11	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hahns Peak Winter	6	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Lost Dog Snowmobile	5.8	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Continental Divide Atv	4.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Diamond Park Snowmobile	4.5	Not designated	Allowed	Year-round
Lake Creek 4	3.77	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Crow Creek	3.7	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Morrison Divide	3.61	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Shoe & Stocking	3.57	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Why Not Road	3.3	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
East Fork Trail	3.18	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bear Creek	2.83	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Aqua Fria	2.82	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Middle Cedar Atv Spur 1.A	2.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Prospector	2.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Oct
Sunshine	2.66	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Battle Creek Atv	2.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hare	2.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Mullison Atv	2.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kellog Trail	1.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Middle Cedar Atv	1.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kellog Trail	1.72	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Jack Park	1.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Stump Hollow Atv	1.57	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Morrison Divide	1.43	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Twin Peaks Trail	1.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
South Albany Peak Spur G	1.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Meadow Creek	1.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Misty Ridge	1.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Morrison Divide	1.22	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Medicine Bow-Routt 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 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 231 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 231 and 231 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Medicine Bow-Routt 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 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Medicine Bow-Routt 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.