USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Lincoln National Forest Trails
In Lincoln National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 61 trail segments (181 mi), Class 2 on 61, and Class 3 on 61. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 17 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. | 61 | 181 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 61 | 181 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 61 | 181 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim | 31.33 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alamo Canyon | 6.87 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grindstone Canyon Loop | 6.76 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Dry Canyon | 5.81 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Dark Cyn | 5.68 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lucas Cyn | 5.15 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Scott Able | 4.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Willie White | 4.57 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Benson Cyn | 4.45 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Juniper Ridge | 4.45 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Hubbell Cyn | 4.42 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Wills Cyn | 4.4 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lick Cyn | 4.22 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Apple Tree Cyn | 4.13 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Caballero Cyn | 4.03 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Camp Wilderness Ridge Spur | 4 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Little Lewis Cyn | 3.99 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Upper Raven | 3.56 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Cedar Creek | 3.43 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| "A" | 3.35 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grindstone Mesa Loop | 3.3 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Upper Wills Cyn | 3.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Perk Canyon Trail | 2.97 | Allowed | Restricted | Apr–Oct |
| Alamo Peak | 2.95 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alfred Hale Connector | 2.79 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Roundup Ground | 2.79 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Elk Cyn | 2.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Little Apache | 2.74 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Schofield Cyn | 2.68 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grindstone Connector | 2.67 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Old Cloudcroft Hwy | 2.62 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Pumphouse Ridge Iii | 2.6 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Upper Dry Cyn | 2.58 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Sand Wash | 2.56 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Perk Ridge Trail | 2.54 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Schofield/Benson Cyn | 2.41 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Grindstone Ridge | 2.4 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Long Canyon | 2.22 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ranchario | 2.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lower Raven | 2.15 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Lincoln 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 Lincoln National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 61 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 61 and 61 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Lincoln 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 Lincoln National Forest?
- Most bike-designated trails in Lincoln 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.
See also: Lincoln National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across New Mexico
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