Are e-bikes allowed in Custer Gallatin 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 Custer Gallatin National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 380 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 380 and 380 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Custer Gallatin 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 Custer Gallatin National Forest?

Most bike-designated trails in Custer Gallatin 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.

Updated October 2026

E-Bikes on Custer Gallatin National Forest Trails

Mountain bike

2,189mi

designated on 550 segments

61% of mapped trail

E-bike

1,361miClass 1

designated on 380 segments

38% of mapped trail

Mountain bike

2,189mi

designated on 550 segments

61% of mapped trail

Season on record: Year-round

E-bike

1,361miClass 1

designated on 380 segments

Class 11,361 mi
Class 21,361 mi
Class 31,361 mi

Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.

Class 2 segments: 380
Class 3 segments: 380

Both lanes share one scale: the 3,612 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.

In Custer Gallatin National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 380 trail segments (1,361 mi), Class 2 on 380, and Class 3 on 380. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 550 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Reviewed by CanIBikeHere Editorial Team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

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 Custer Gallatin National Forest, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	380	1,361 mi
Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	380	1,361 mi
Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	380	1,361 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
Boone PeakYear-round	23.29	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Bangtail DivideYear-round	22.71	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
West Fork StillwaterYear-round	22.17	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
SkylineYear-round	20.82	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Bridger FoothillsYear-round	20.55	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lightning CreekYear-round	19.88	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mount MauriceYear-round	19.36	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Red CubYear-round	18.72	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Line Creek PlateauYear-round	17.93	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Wicked CreekYear-round	17.19	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Cherry CreekYear-round	16.9	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Slough CreekMay–Oct	16.58	Allowed	Allowed	May–Oct
West Fork Rock CreekYear-round	16.5	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Bridger RidgeYear-round	16.42	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Porcupine IbexYear-round	16.25	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Hellroaring PlateauYear-round	16.15	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Phantom CreekYear-round	15.21	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Tucker CreekYear-round	14.91	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
King CreekYear-round	14.88	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Inspiration DivideYear-round	14.87	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Bear CanyonYear-round	14.53	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Red Lodge CreekYear-round	14.45	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bear BasinYear-round	14.19	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Telephone BasinYear-round	13.96	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Upsidedown CreekYear-round	13.91	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
East Fork BoulderYear-round	13.81	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Bridge CreekYear-round	13.52	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Two Top DivideJun–Dec	13.35	Allowed	Restricted	Jun–Dec
EightmileYear-round	13.01	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Robertson DrawYear-round	12.98	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
East Fork Mill CreekYear-round	12.85	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Pumpkin-Otter DivideYear-round	11.94	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
South CottonwoodYear-round	11.88	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
South Fork SixmileYear-round	11.84	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Porcupine CreekYear-round	11.81	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lost WolverineYear-round	11.2	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
North CottonwoodYear-round	11.09	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cabin Creek DivideYear-round	11.04	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Jackson CreekYear-round	10.77	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Anderson RidgeYear-round	10.73	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Custer Gallatin 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 Custer Gallatin National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 380 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 380 and 380 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Custer Gallatin 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 Custer Gallatin National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Custer Gallatin 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.

E-bike rules in other Montana forests

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

323 Class 1 segments

Lolo National Forest

77 Class 1 segments

Flathead National Forest

67 Class 1 segments

Kootenai National Forest

30 Class 1 segments

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

1 Class 1 segments

All Montana e-bike rules

Where to stay near Custer Gallatin National Forest

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