Are e-bikes allowed in San Juan 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 San Juan National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 226 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 226 and 226 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on San Juan 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 San Juan National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in San Juan National Forest carry a May–Nov 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 San Juan National Forest Trails

In San Juan National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 226 trail segments (476 mi), Class 2 on 226, and Class 3 on 226. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 96 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

226

Class 1 segments

476 mi

226

Class 2 segments

226

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

218 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 San Juan 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.	226	476 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	226	476 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	226	476 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
Little Bean Canyon	11.8	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Hermosa Creek	9.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Pinkerton-Flagstaff	7.63	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Box Canyon	6.79	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Willow Draw	6.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Dutch Creek	6.1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Treasure Mountain	5.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Aspen Spur	5.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Hermosa Creek	4.92	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Rocky Canyon	4.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Green Canyon	4.47	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Blue Jay	4.41	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Baldy Loop	4.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Aug, November
Bear Creek	3.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Grindstone	3.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Bedrock Creek Ohv Trail	3.8	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Cutthroat	3.68	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
First Notch 2	3.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Jones Creek	3.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Horizon Loop	2.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Runlett Park	2.76	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Sand Creek	2.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
First Notch 1	2.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Morrison	2.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Clampett Mill	2.52	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Porcupine Atv	2.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Hermosa Creek	2.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Lower Rim	2.42	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Boren Creek Ohv Trail	2.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Uncle Charlie	2.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
First Notch 3	2.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Aspen Run	2.02	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Medicine Mine	1.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Aug, November
Sage Hen Loop	1.94	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sand Creek	1.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Madden Creek Proper Ohv Trail	1.86	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Cade Mountain Atv	1.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Newt Jack	1.74	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Priest Gulch	1.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Arbogas Loop	1.65	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in San Juan 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 San Juan National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 226 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 226 and 226 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on San Juan 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 San Juan National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in San Juan National Forest carry a May–Nov season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.