USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bikes on National Forests in North Carolina Trails
In National Forests in North Carolina, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 43 trail segments (76.1 mi), Class 2 on 43, and Class 3 on 43. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 207 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. | 43 | 76.1 mi |
| Class 2 designated | Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 43 | 76.1 mi |
| Class 3 designated | Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 43 | 76.1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Mills River | 14.16 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Wilson Ridge | 12.22 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Tsali Right Loop | 10.76 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Woods Mountain | 9.99 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Tsali Left Loop | 9.14 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Wayehutta Loop | 8.93 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Black Mountain | 8.44 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Squirrel Gap | 7.94 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Laurel Mountain | 6.99 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Dave Thompson Loop | 6.73 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Keyauwee | 6.44 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Buckhorn Gap | 6.33 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Mouse Branch Loop | 6.3 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Yancey Ridge | 6.17 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Powerline Road | 5.99 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 2 | 5.64 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Turkey Pen Gap | 5.37 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Pink Beds Loop | 5.14 | Allowed | Restricted | Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec |
| Bradley Creek | 5.09 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| North Boundary | 4.89 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 9 | 4.88 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Brown Mountain 1a | 4.88 | Allowed | Allowed | Apr–Dec |
| Spencer Gap | 4.8 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 1 | 4.79 | Allowed | Allowed | Apr–Dec |
| Big Creek | 4.73 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Rabbit Ridge | 4.63 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Cat Gap Loop | 4.6 | Allowed | Restricted | Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec |
| Kitsuma | 4.59 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Farlow Gap | 4.54 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Trace Ridge | 4.5 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Slate Rock | 4.39 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| North Slope Loop | 3.95 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Black Swamp Ohv | 3.91 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed | — |
| Supertree Loop | 3.9 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Greentown | 3.85 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Mill Ridge | 3.81 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Heartbreak Ridge | 3.78 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Flat Laurel Creek | 3.76 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Mac'S Gap | 3.6 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
| Laurel River | 3.59 | Allowed | Restricted | Year-round |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in National Forests in North Carolina?
- 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 National Forests in North Carolina, Class 1 access is recorded on 43 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 43 and 43 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on National Forests in North Carolina 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 National Forests in North Carolina?
- Most bike-designated trails in National Forests in North Carolina 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: National Forests in North Carolina trail data profile · E-bikes across North Carolina
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