Are e-bikes allowed in Willamette 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 Willamette National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 89 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 89 and 89 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Willamette 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.

USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026

E-Bikes on Willamette National Forest Trails

In Willamette National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 89 trail segments (150 mi), Class 2 on 89, and Class 3 on 89. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 24 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Class 1 segments

150 mi

Class 2 segments

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

96.8 mi

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 access by class in Willamette 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.	89	150 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	89	150 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	89	150 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
Jim Weaver Loop(Waldo Lake)	20.19	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Alpine	15.42	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mckenzie River Nrt	13.65	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Dead Mountain	6.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Larison Creek	5.76	Allowed	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #107	5.19	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Winberry Divide	4.22	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
King Castle	4.2	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #101	3.8	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #100	3.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #100	3.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Larison Rock	3.53	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #105	3.49	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #201	3.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #200	2.79	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #104mc	2.6	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec
Clear Lake	2.6	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #303mc	2.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
June Lake	2.17	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #304	2.15	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #108	2.1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #200	1.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Indigo Lake	1.93	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Sawtooth	1.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Santiam Pass Ohv Atv Trail #18	1.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Huckleberry Flats Atv #300-Mc	1.44	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Saddle	1.42	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #302mc	1.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Indigo Extention	1.26	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #103	1.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Rigdon Bike Path	1.2	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Santiam Pass Ohv Atv Trail #33	1.14	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Huckleberry Flats Atv #301	1.14	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Huckleberry Flats Atv #100	1.11	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Santiam Pass Ohv Atv Trail #13	1.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Huckleberry Flats Atv #108mc	1.08	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Start 'O Willamette	1.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Huckleberry Flats Atv #106	1.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Santiam Pass Ohv Trail #22	1.05	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Santiam Pass Ohv Atv Trail #42	1.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Willamette 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 Willamette National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 89 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 89 and 89 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Willamette 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 Willamette National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Willamette 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.