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 30 trail segments (101 mi), Class 2 on 30, and Class 3 on 30. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 37 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.
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 class | Definition | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 designated | Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 30 | 101 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 30 | 101 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 30 | 101 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Peak | 12.18 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Swede Mtn Bike Trail | 11.33 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Mcguire/Inch | 10.42 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Cliff Point/Thirsty Mountain | 9.93 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Lydia Pinkham | 9.59 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Bobtail Ridge | 8.19 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| Canyon Divide | 8.14 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sorrel Gulch | 6.69 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| 20 Odd Atv | 6.15 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Turner Mountain | 5.79 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Starry Goat | 5.59 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| 20 Odd Peak | 5.54 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cripple Horse | 5.4 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Stevens Ridge | 4.98 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Elk Mtn. | 4.91 | Allowed | Allowed | Jun–Oct |
| Trout Ridge | 4.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Reader Gulch | 4.28 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sheldon Mountain | 4.21 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Webb Mountain | 4.1 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Alexander Mountain | 3.99 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sheldon Mountain B | 3.98 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Loveland Peak | 3.94 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sheldon Mountain C | 3.93 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Dixie Ridge | 3.85 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Warex Peak | 3.83 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| North Fork Big Creek | 3.82 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| South Fork Pilgrim Creek | 3.65 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Beartrap Mountain | 3.54 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Kismet Creek | 3.16 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sheldon Mountain A | 3.09 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Sheldon Mountain D | 2.97 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Smeads Bench | 2.88 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alvord Lake | 2.64 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| Wood Creek Scenic Larch Trail | 2.61 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Lower Boulder | 2.48 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Skeleton Creek | 2.07 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Minton Pass | 2.04 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grays Gulch | 1.92 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cub Creek | 1.91 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Troy Walking Path | 1.86 | Allowed | 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 30 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 30 and 30 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.
See also: Kootenai National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Montana
E-bike rules in other Montana forests
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