USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Payette National Forest Trails
In Payette National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 148 trail segments (836 mi), Class 2 on 148, and Class 3 on 148. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 47 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. | 148 | 836 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 148 | 836 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 148 | 836 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Pete Ridge | 17.69 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Indian Ridge | 17.56 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| French Creek | 16.58 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| S/F Salmon River East | 15.45 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Tailholt | 14.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Rapid River Ridge | 14.68 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Secesh River | 14.65 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Loon Creek/Loon Lake | 14.51 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Council Mountain | 14.14 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Patrick Butte | 13.81 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Crestline | 13.55 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Raines Creek/Slaughter Gulch | 12.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grouse Creek/Grizzly Creek | 12.6 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| North Fork Kennally Creek | 12.46 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Buckhorn Creek | 12.44 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Fitsum Creek | 12.02 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Loon Creek | 11.83 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| S/F Sheep Creek | 11.54 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Rainbow Ridge | 11.32 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Boundary | 11.15 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Grass Mountain (Off 257) | 10.91 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Twenty Mile | 10.86 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Four Mile | 10.66 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Victor Creek | 10.63 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cougar Creek | 10.37 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Center Ridge | 9.99 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Elkhorn Creek | 9.6 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Paddy Flat-Lake Fork Creek | 9.22 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Neil Gulch | 9.14 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Sheep Creek | 8.54 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Big Flat | 8.38 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Six Mile Ridge | 8.05 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| E/F Pine Creek | 7.94 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Vance Creek | 7.91 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Willow Basket Creek | 7.71 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Hard Butte | 7.57 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Houston Creek | 7.49 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cow Creek | 7.45 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| West Fork Buckhorn | 7.31 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Williams Peak | 7.25 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Payette 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 Payette National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 148 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 148 and 148 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Payette 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 Payette National Forest?
- Most bike-designated trails in Payette National Forest 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.
See also: Payette National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Idaho
Where to stay near Payette National Forest
Planning an e-bike or mountain-bike trip to Payette National Forest in Idaho? Compare cabins, lodges, and campgrounds near the forest.
Top-rated places to stay near Payette National Forest
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Riding Payette National Forest?
Trail-access and e-bike rule updates by email.