Are e-bikes allowed in Deschutes 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 Deschutes National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 127 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 127 and 127 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Deschutes 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 Deschutes National Forest Trails

In Deschutes National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 127 trail segments (442 mi), Class 2 on 127, and Class 3 on 127. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 268 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

127

Class 1 segments

442 mi

127

Class 2 segments

127

Class 3 segments

268

Conventional bike segments

627 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 Deschutes 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.	127	442 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	127	442 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	127	442 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
Green Ridge	12.22	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #13	9.38	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Upper Butte Loops	9.36	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Peterson Ridge Trail West	7.97	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Tiddlywinks	7.12	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Dynah-Moe Humm	6.38	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Ticket To Ride	6.11	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #55	6.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mrazek	5.94	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #39	5.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Jimerson	5.07	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Winopee Lake	4.88	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Marvins Garden	4.77	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Storm King	4.68	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Lake Creek	4.23	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Storm King	4.22	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Lower Butte Loops	3.84	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #44	3.73	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Whoops	3.69	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sisters High School South	3.67	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #30	3.55	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Oct
Sun-Lava	3.54	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Rimrock Paved	3.29	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Cod	3.25	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Peterson Ridge Tie	3.21	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Sector 16	3.2	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #32	3.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Charlton	3.01	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Yeti	3	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Skyliners	2.85	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Charlton	2.39	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #46	2.34	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #40	2.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Upper Butte Loops	2.25	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Elk Ranch	2.24	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #59	2.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Peterson Ridge Middle	2.05	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Three Trails Ohv #47	1.83	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sun-Lava	1.73	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
The Twins	1.72	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Deschutes 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 Deschutes National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 127 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 127 and 127 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Deschutes 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 Deschutes National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Deschutes 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.