Are e-bikes allowed in Ashley 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 Ashley National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 222 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 222 and 222 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Ashley 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 Ashley National Forest Trails

In Ashley National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 222 trail segments (195 mi), Class 2 on 222, and Class 3 on 222. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 2 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

222

Class 1 segments

195 mi

222

Class 2 segments

222

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

1.1 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 Ashley 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.	222	195 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	222	195 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	222	195 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
Ashley Driveway	4.73	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Anthro Mtn. 3	4.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Fairway Loop	4.42	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Corral Creek	3.7	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ashley Driveway	3.29	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mcafee Basin High Country	3.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kettle Creek	3.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Bassett Springs Spur B	2.91	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Lake Park	2.4	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ranger Peak	2.39	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
East Draw To Diamond Ridge	2.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
East Galloway	2.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Elkhorn Loop High Country	2.18	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Line Ridge	2.17	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pipe Creek	2.08	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Ashley Driveway	2.07	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Badlands Atv Trail	2.06	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Kabell Hollow	2.03	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Big Park Lake Park	1.97	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Limestone	1.9	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Greens Draw	1.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Round Park South	1.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pipe Creek	1.88	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Sep
Pc-Hc Cutoff	1.86	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ashley Driveway	1.84	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ashley Gorge Viewpoint	1.77	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Big Park Lake Park	1.68	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Sep
Ashley Driveway	1.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Anthro Mtn. 4	1.62	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Little Rabbit'S Ridge Run	1.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Trout Creek Peak To Lost Park	1.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Dry Fork Mountain	1.58	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Manila Park Connector	1.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Hickerson Pk To Sheep Ck Bypas	1.39	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Manila Park Connector	1.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Round Park South	1.27	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Anderson Creek Atv	1.21	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Little Brush Creek	1.16	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Right Fork Indian Canyon	1.13	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Pick Your Poison	1.08	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Ashley 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 Ashley National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 222 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 222 and 222 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Ashley 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 Ashley National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Ashley 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.