Are e-bikes allowed in Flathead 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 Flathead National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 130 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 130 and 130 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Flathead National Forest carry a May–Oct 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 Flathead National Forest Trails

In Flathead National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 130 trail segments (206 mi), Class 2 on 130, and Class 3 on 130. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 33 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

130

Class 1 segments

206 mi

130

Class 2 segments

130

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

79.6 mi

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 access by class in Flathead 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.	130	206 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	130	206 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	130	206 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
Jimmie Ridge	8.42	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ingalls - Mt Conner	7.43	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
Beardance	6.82	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Alpine 7	6.3	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ashley Divide	5.84	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Wild Bill - Truman Creek	5.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Wild Bill - Eagle Mtn. Trail	5.76	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ashley Mtn	5.21	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
Alpine 7	4.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pine Grass	4.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Skyland	4.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Upper Dayton Creek Ohv	4.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Johnson Peak	4.17	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Elk Mtn.	4.14	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Lupine Lake	3.95	Allowed	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
Wire Trail	3.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Griffin Creek	3.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
South Fork Hemler Creek	3.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lakeside To Blacktail	3.38	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Krause Basin 905	3.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug, December
Round Meadow Loop	3.33	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Runaway Train	2.89	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Lower South Fork	2.71	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sixmile Sidehill	2.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Peterson Creek	2.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Freebird	2.34	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Kashmir	2.33	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Crane Creek	2.09	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cedar Ridge	2.03	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Wire Trail	1.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Peters Ridge	1.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, Jul–Dec
Doris Creek	1.85	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Garry Lookout	1.8	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Alpine 7	1.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ingalls - Mt Conner	1.61	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Aug, December
Strawberry Lake	1.6	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Tu Minnie Chief	1.54	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Blacktail Ohv Trail	1.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Estes Lake	1.5	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Krause Basin 901	1.45	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug, December

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Flathead 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 Flathead National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 130 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 130 and 130 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Flathead 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 Flathead National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Flathead National Forest carry a May–Oct season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.