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 67 trail segments (235 mi), Class 2 on 67, and Class 3 on 67. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 27 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. | 67 | 235 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 67 | 235 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 67 | 235 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine 7 | 55.25 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Tally- Ashley | 19.59 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Columbia Mtn. Loop | 12.06 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ingalls - Mt Conner | 10.01 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Jimmie Ridge | 8.42 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Foys To Blacktail | 7.39 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Wire Trail | 6.89 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Beardance | 6.82 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Elk Mtn. | 6.79 | Allowed | Allowed | Jun–Oct |
| Peterson Creek | 6.03 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ashley Divide | 5.84 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Wild Bill - Truman Creek | 5.78 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Wild Bill - Eagle Mtn. Trail | 5.76 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Pine Grass | 5.58 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Summit | 5.58 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Sep |
| South Fork Hemler Creek | 5.56 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ashley Mtn | 5.54 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Abbot Creek | 4.74 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Sixmile Lookout | 4.44 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Skyland | 4.23 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Upper Dayton Creek Ohv | 4.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Johnson Peak | 4.17 | Allowed | Allowed | Jun–Oct |
| Lupine Lake | 3.95 | Allowed | Allowed | Jun–Nov |
| Holbrook Trail | 3.95 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Phillips | 3.94 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Griffin Creek | 3.81 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lakeside To Blacktail | 3.38 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Krause Basin 905 | 3.35 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Round Meadow Loop | 3.33 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Doris Creek | 3.27 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Runaway Train | 2.89 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Sep |
| Doris Ridge | 2.82 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Strawberry Lake | 2.77 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Chechako | 2.73 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Lower South Fork | 2.71 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Peters Ridge | 2.64 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sixmile Sidehill | 2.5 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Boney Gulch | 2.48 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Nov |
| Snowberry | 2.44 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Freebird | 2.34 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Sep |
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 67 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 67 and 67 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.
See also: Flathead National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Montana
E-bike rules in other Montana forests
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