USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Rio Grande National Forest Trails
In Rio Grande National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 59 trail segments (514 mi), Class 2 on 59, and Class 3 on 59. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 0 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.
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 class | Definition | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 designated | Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 59 | 514 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 59 | 514 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 59 | 514 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental Divide Nst | 139.66 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| La Garita Sd. | 56.86 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Dry Creek | 15.62 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Fern Creek | 13.65 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Archuleta | 12.83 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Silver Mtn | 12.18 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Bennett | 11.36 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Shady | 11.26 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| La Garita Creek | 11.13 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Trout | 10.3 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Willow Mountain | 9.49 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Miner'S Creek | 8.95 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Wolf Creek | 8.94 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Perry Creek | 8.2 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Burro | 8.15 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| West Frisco | 7.8 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Pole Creek | 7.47 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Hot Creek | 7.44 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lost Trail | 7.25 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| West Lost | 6.95 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Blanca Peak | 6.72 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alder Bench | 6.52 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Empedrado Lake | 6.41 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Groundhog | 6.36 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Tewskberry | 6.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| West Alder | 6.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Embargo | 6.15 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alamosa Rock | 5.46 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Middle Alder | 5.17 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Benino | 5.05 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Bear Creek | 4.76 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Shrader | 4.73 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cross Creek | 4.68 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| West Bear | 4.35 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Saddle Creek | 4.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cathedral | 3.63 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Castle Rock | 3.47 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Church Creek | 3.37 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| East Fk. Middle Pole | 3.34 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Hughes Trail | 3.31 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 59 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 59 and 59 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande National Forest?
- Season windows vary by trail and elevation; check each trail's designation and current conditions with the ranger district.
See also: Rio Grande National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Colorado
E-bike rules in other Colorado forests
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