Are e-bikes allowed in White River 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 White River National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 138 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 132 and 132 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on White River 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 White River National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in White River 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 White River National Forest Trails

In White River National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 138 trail segments (227 mi), Class 2 on 132, and Class 3 on 132. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 573 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

138

Class 1 segments

227 mi

132

Class 2 segments

132

Class 3 segments

573

Conventional bike segments

868 mi

E-bike access by class

Where a trail is open to conventional bikes, check the e-bike columns separately — a non-motorized mountain bike being allowed does not by itself mean an e-bike is.

E-bike access by class in White River 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.	138	227 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	132	217 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	132	217 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
Rocky Fork	8.82	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Continental Divide N.S.T.	8.8	Allowed	Not designated	May–Nov
Braderich/South Thompson	5.44	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Prairie Mesa	5.31	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Hannon Creek	4.76	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Continental Divide N.S.T.	4.49	Allowed	Not designated	May–Nov
North Vail Trail	3.99	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Oro Grande Trail	3.81	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Gold Hill	3.72	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Big Beaver Basin	3.59	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Dickerville	3.4	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Lenawee	3.14	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Whiskey Gulch	2.99	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Continental Divide N.S.T.	2.91	Allowed	Not designated	May–Nov
Peaks Trail	2.79	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Shadyside	2.75	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
North Vail Trail	2.6	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Boundary Road	2.58	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Tinpot	2.4	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sunnyside	2.39	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Peaks Trail	2.37	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Middle Thompson	2.29	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Continental Divide N.S.T.	2.23	Allowed	Not designated	May–Nov
Hippo	2.15	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Rocky Fork	2.02	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Continental Divide N.S.T.	1.99	Allowed	Not designated	May–Nov
Peaks Trail	1.92	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mccullough Gulch	1.87	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mount Royal Trail	1.74	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Missouri Gulch	1.71	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Big Beaver Creek	1.68	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Sugarbowl	1.6	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Big Beaver Creek	1.42	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Middle Thompson	1.23	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
East Beaver	1.16	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Stove Gulch	1.12	Allowed	Allowed	May–Nov
Middle Thompson	1.08	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Henry Recen	0.99	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Long Park (South)	0.94	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Aug
Long Park (South)	0.91	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Aug

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in White River 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 White River National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 138 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 132 and 132 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on White River 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 White River National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in White River 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.