Are e-bikes allowed in Kootenai 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 Kootenai National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 78 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 78 and 78 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Kootenai National Forest carry a Jun–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 Kootenai National Forest Trails

In Kootenai National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 78 trail segments (88.4 mi), Class 2 on 78, and Class 3 on 78. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 266 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Class 1 segments

88.4 mi

Class 2 segments

Class 3 segments

266

Conventional bike segments

115 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 Kootenai 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.	78	88.4 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	78	88.4 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	78	88.4 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
Swede Mtn Bike Trail	11.33	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Cripple Horse	5.4	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Alexander Mountain	3.99	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Black Peak	3.65	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bobtail Ridge	3.05	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Alvord Lake	2.64	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Trout Ridge	2.6	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bobtail Ridge	2.24	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Canyon Divide	2.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Starry Goat	2.05	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Turner Mountain	1.95	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Wood Creek Scenic Larch Trail	1.81	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mcguire/Inch	1.76	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Smeads Bench	1.73	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Starry Goat	1.66	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain D	1.62	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Ziegler Mountain	1.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
White Pine Ridge	1.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Elk Mtn.	1.29	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Slimmer Creek	1.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain	1.18	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Warex Peak	1.17	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Turner Mountain	1.15	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Trout Ridge	1.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain	1.11	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain	1.05	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Webb Mountain	1.01	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Mcguire/Inch	1	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Kismet Creek	0.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lydia Pinkham	0.87	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain C	0.85	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Lydia Pinkham	0.84	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sheldon Mountain Tie N	0.83	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Canyon Divide	0.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bobtail Ridge	0.82	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Trout Ridge	0.81	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Bighorn/Black Eagle Rock	0.8	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Bobtail Ridge	0.8	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Wood Creek Scenic Larch Trail	0.8	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cliff Point/Thirsty Mountain	0.78	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Kootenai 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 Kootenai National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 78 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 78 and 78 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Kootenai 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 Kootenai National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Kootenai National Forest carry a Jun–Oct season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.