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 101 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 101 and 101 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.

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 101 trail segments (356 mi), Class 2 on 101, and Class 3 on 101. 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.

101

Class 1 segments

356 mi

101

Class 2 segments

101

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

0 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 Rio Grande 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.	101	356 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	101	356 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	101	356 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
Archuleta	12.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Silver Mtn	11.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Shady	10.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Willow Mountain	9.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Burro	8.15	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
La Garita Creek	6.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Empedrado Lake	6.41	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Tewskberry	6.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Perry Creek	6.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Dry Creek	6.11	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Embargo	5.53	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bennett	5.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Alamosa Rock	5.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Middle Alder	5.17	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Benino	5.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Blanca Peak	4.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, May–Dec
Bear Creek	4.76	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Trout	4.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bennett	4.7	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Cross Creek	4.68	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
La Garita Creek	4.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
West Bear	4.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Saddle Creek	4.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Trout	3.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
La Garita Sd.	3.74	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hot Creek	3.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Church Creek	3.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
East Fk. Middle Pole	3.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hughes Trail	3.31	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
La Garita Sd.	3.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lake Fork	3.13	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Frisco-Fitton	3.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Wolf Creek	3.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Shrader	2.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Continental Divide Nst	2.7	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Antora Meadows	2.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
La Garita Creek Cut-Off	2.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Continental Divide Nst	2.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
West Alder	2.45	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Munger Canyon	2.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round

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 101 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 101 and 101 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.