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 330 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 330 and 330 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.

USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026

E-Bikes on Pike and San Isabel National Forests Trails

In Pike and San Isabel National Forests, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 330 trail segments (663 mi), Class 2 on 330, and Class 3 on 330. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 302 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

330

Class 1 segments

663 mi

330

Class 2 segments

330

Class 3 segments

302

Conventional bike segments

573 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 Pike and San Isabel 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.	330	663 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	330	663 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	330	663 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
Turtle Mountain	41.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, December
Colorado	10.17	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Devils Revenge	9.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Little Scraggy	9.35	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Rainbow	7.62	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Skeleton	7.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Log Jumper	7.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bergen Rock	6.65	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Burning Bear	6.5	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Midland Bike Trail	6.36	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Watson Park	6.01	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Signal Butte Multi Use	5.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
0434	4.8	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Long Hollow Bypass	3.62	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Tornado Alley	3.47	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Breakneck Pass Trail	3.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Colorado	3.2	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Colorado	2.99	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Little Moab	2.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pot O Gold	2.95	Allowed	Not designated	Mar–Nov
Sandy Wash	2.81	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bodfish	2.78	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Beasway	2.77	Allowed	Not designated	Mar–Dec
Bull Park Trail	2.72	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Ringtail	2.49	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bald Mtn Spur Trail	2.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Gould Creek Trail	2.31	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Midland Bike Trail	2.23	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Palmer	2.23	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Rift	1.96	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Sheep Mnt Interconnect	1.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Cottonwood	1.93	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Trout Creek Connection	1.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, December
Eagle Rock Trail	1.86	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hay Creek East Trail	1.84	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Sheep Creek	1.83	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Buckhorn	1.75	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Buffalo Burn	1.74	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Upper Rule Cr Spur Trail	1.68	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Midland Bike Trail	1.46	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 330 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 330 and 330 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.