USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Trails
In Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 2 trail segments (1.1 mi), Class 2 on 2, and Class 3 on 2. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 12 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.
2
Class 1 segments
1.1 mi
2
Class 2 segments
2
Class 3 segments
12
Conventional bike segments
48.9 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 class | Definition | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 designated | Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 2 | 1.1 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 2 | 1.1 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 2 | 1.1 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 | 41.36 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Continental Divide Nst | 2.21 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Continental Divide | 1.6 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Inspiration Divide | 1.04 | Allowed | Allowed | Jun–Dec |
| Continental Divide Nst | 1.01 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Continental Divide Nst | 0.52 | Allowed | Year-round |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Beaverhead-Deerlodge 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 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 2 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 2 and 2 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Beaverhead-Deerlodge 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 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
- Most bike-designated trails in Beaverhead-Deerlodge 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: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Montana