Are e-bikes allowed in Pike and San Isabel 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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Class 1 access is recorded on 183 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 183 and 183 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Pike and San Isabel 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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests?

Most bike-designated trails in Pike and San Isabel 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.

Updated October 2026

E-Bikes on Pike and San Isabel National Forests Trails

Mountain bike

619mi

designated on 137 segments

26% of mapped trail

E-bike

681miClass 1

designated on 183 segments

29% of mapped trail

Mountain bike

619mi

designated on 137 segments

26% of mapped trail

Season on record: Year-round

E-bike

681miClass 1

designated on 183 segments

Class 1681 mi
Class 2681 mi
Class 3681 mi

Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.

Class 2 segments: 183
Class 3 segments: 183

Both lanes share one scale: the 2,366 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Colorado. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.

In Pike and San Isabel National Forests, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 183 trail segments (681 mi), Class 2 on 183, and Class 3 on 183. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 137 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Reviewed by CanIBikeHere Editorial Team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	183	681 mi
Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	183	681 mi
Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	183	681 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
ColoradoYear-round	194.38	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Rainbow	99.92	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Turtle Mountain	41.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Brookside-MccurdyYear-round	32.51	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Signal Butte Multi Use	32.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Midland Bike TrailYear-round	19.62	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Turtle Mountain	15.85	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
IndianYear-round	13.56	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Long Hollow	12.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Tanner/East Bear Gulch	12.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Indian CreekJan–Mar, Jun–Dec	11.41	Allowed	Restricted	Jan–Mar, Jun–Dec
Cisneros	11.18	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
South ParkJan–Mar, Jun–Dec	11.12	Allowed	Restricted	Jan–Mar, Jun–Dec
Rampart ReservoirYear-round	10.86	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Rule Spur	10.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Phantom Spur	10.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Devils Revenge	9.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Little ScraggyYear-round	9.35	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Beginner	9.22	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
St. CharlesYear-round	9.22	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Picket Wire CanyonlandsYear-round	8.56	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
787	7.91	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
South Apache	7.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
ThreemileYear-round	7.23	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Noddle	7.22	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Skeleton	7.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Log Jumper	7.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Powerline	7	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Greens CreekApr–Nov	6.83	Allowed	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Tunnel	6.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Bergen Rock	6.65	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Pole CreekYear-round	6.55	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Burning BearJan–May, December	6.5	Allowed	Restricted	Jan–May, December
Hancock Lake/CdnstYear-round	6.5	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Triad Ridge Single Track	6.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Poplar Gulch	6.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Little Moab	6.25	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
MonumentYear-round	6.22	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Hay Creek East Trail	6.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	—
Turquoise LakeYear-round	6.13	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Pike and San Isabel 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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Class 1 access is recorded on 183 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 183 and 183 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Pike and San Isabel 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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests?: Most bike-designated trails in Pike and San Isabel 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.

E-bike rules in other Colorado forests

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

319 Class 1 segments

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

145 Class 1 segments

San Juan National Forest

131 Class 1 segments

White River National Forest

100 Class 1 segments

Rio Grande National Forest

59 Class 1 segments

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

53 Class 1 segments

All Colorado e-bike rules

Where to stay near Pike and San Isabel National Forests

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