USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on Santa Fe National Forest Trails
In Santa Fe National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 54 trail segments (86.9 mi), Class 2 on 54, and Class 3 on 54. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 33 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. | 54 | 86.9 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 54 | 86.9 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 54 | 86.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winsor | 24.39 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Oct |
| Borrego | 21.26 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Oct |
| Camino Real | 8.26 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Perimeter | 7.77 | Allowed | Year-round | |
| Capulin | 7.13 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| Quemazon Trail | 6.29 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Los Triegos Loop | 5.24 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Osha Medio | 5.14 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Guaje Ridge | 5.14 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Rio Cebolla | 4.96 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| Pajarito Nordic Trail | 4.61 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Nov |
| Ojelata | 4.32 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Canoncito | 4.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Alamitos Loop | 4.16 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Soda Springs | 4.04 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Mule Train | 3.94 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Ghost Town | 3.91 | Allowed | Restricted | May–Sep |
| Pajarito Canyon | 3.78 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Corral Canyon | 3.71 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Guaje Connector | 3.27 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cabra Loop | 3.03 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Valle | 2.96 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Ojitos Polvadera | 2.91 | Allowed | Jun–Oct | |
| Pine Spring | 2.76 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Cerro Blanco | 2.49 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Saddleback | 2.48 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Aspen Spur | 2.42 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Chamisa | 2.39 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Corral | 2.29 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Vegitas | 2.19 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Seco | 2.12 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Twin Cabins | 2.12 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Valle | 2 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Jaspe | 1.99 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| La Jara | 1.91 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lake Fork Mesa Loop | 1.89 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
| Cerro Pelado | 1.84 | Allowed | Restricted | Jun–Nov |
| Water Canyon | 1.79 | Allowed | May–Oct | |
| Chupaderos South | 1.75 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Lake Fork Mesa | 1.74 | Allowed | Allowed | Year-round |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 54 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 54 and 54 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe National Forest?
- Most bike-designated trails in Santa Fe 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: Santa Fe National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across New Mexico
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