Are e-bikes allowed in Lolo 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 Lolo National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 101 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 101 and 101 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Lolo 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 Lolo National Forest Trails

In Lolo National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 101 trail segments (312 mi), Class 2 on 101, and Class 3 on 101. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 122 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

101

Class 1 segments

312 mi

101

Class 2 segments

101

Class 3 segments

122

Conventional bike segments

166 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 Lolo 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.	101	312 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	101	312 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	101	312 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
Savenac Creek	6.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Tepee Creek	5.25	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Flat Rock Creek	5.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Cc Divide	5.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Oct
Knox Creek	4.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Twenty Four Mile Creek	4.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Teepee Mountain	4.72	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hawk Mountain	4.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Snowbowl Mountain Bike	4.5	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cook Mountain	4.48	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sawmill Gulch (Rattlesnake)	4.4	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Daisy Creek	4.35	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Gold Rush Creek	4.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Blue Mtn Motorcycle/ Atv	3.82	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
Olson Peak	3.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sam Braxton	3.48	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Crooked Trail	3.47	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
South Fork Wilkes Creek	3.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sawmill Gulch Cutoff C	3.31	Allowed	Not designated	Year-round
Corona Divide	2.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Grant Creek Ravine	2.8	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
John Long	2.78	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Oct
Keith Creek	2.64	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
West Fork Crow Creek	2.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Evans Gulch	2.21	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Dry Creek-Hill 7	2.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Oct
Three Larches	2.17	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Curry	1.93	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Teepee Ridge	1.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Spring Gulch	1.86	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Fishtrap Lake	1.86	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Dry Creek Trail	1.79	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Dee Creek	1.7	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pattee South -- Main Loop	1.63	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
West Fork Knox Creek	1.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Crazy Canyon Cutoff A	1.51	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sawmill Gulch Cutoff A	1.31	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
John Long	1.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Blue Mountain Bike C	1.25	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
University Mountain Tie	1.23	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Lolo 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 Lolo National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 101 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 101 and 101 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Lolo 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 Lolo National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Lolo 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.