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 625 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 625 and 625 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.

USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026

E-Bikes on Custer Gallatin National Forest Trails

In Custer Gallatin National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 625 trail segments (1,125 mi), Class 2 on 625, and Class 3 on 625. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 1,218 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

625

Class 1 segments

1,125 mi

625

Class 2 segments

625

Class 3 segments

1,218

Conventional bike segments

1,847 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 Custer Gallatin 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.	625	1,125 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	625	1,125 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	625	1,125 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 Peak	10.22	Allowed	Allowed	Jan–Mar, May–Dec
South Ash Creek	8.22	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
41334	5.99	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lake Of The Pines	5.9	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Taylor-15mile Creek	5.75	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Poker Jim N Fork Lee	5.64	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Dead Horse Divide	5.43	Allowed	Allowed	Jan–Oct, December
Shootout Park	4.84	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bridger Foothills	4.62	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Oct
North Swan Divide	4.29	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Mica Ridge	4.1	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Dec
Middle Plum Cr	3.75	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Porcupine Ibex	3.49	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Sheep Lake	3.46	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
47921	3.43	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Peterson Canyon	3.32	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Shields Lowline	3.24	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Pika Point	3.07	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Oct
Albino Lake	3.02	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
North Fork Elk Creek	2.9	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Wicked Creek	2.89	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Sep
Coffin Lakes	2.85	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Silver Run Plateau	2.53	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Logging Creek	2.21	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lemonade Road	2.16	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
44191	2.1	Allowed	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
3111 Box Springs	1.93	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
4432d	1.82	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Moonshine	1.82	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
47671	1.8	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Carrot Basin Divide	1.72	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Oct
47032	1.62	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Cottonwood Lowline	1.59	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
North Line Creek	1.53	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bozeman Creek	1.46	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Lightning Creek	1.09	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Bear Canyon	1.05	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Dec
Bridger Foothills	1.01	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Bangtail Divide	1	Allowed	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Skyline	1	Allowed	Allowed	Jul–Dec

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 625 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 625 and 625 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.