Are e-bikes allowed in Colville 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 Colville National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 52 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 52 and 52 respectively.

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

Most bike-designated trails in Colville National Forest carry a Apr–Nov 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 Colville National Forest Trails

In Colville National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 52 trail segments (189 mi), Class 2 on 52, and Class 3 on 52. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 15 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

Class 1 segments

189 mi

Class 2 segments

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

10.5 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 Colville 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.	52	189 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	52	189 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	52	189 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
Little Pend Oreille Orv	31.37	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Batey Bould	21.92	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Gillette Ridge	11.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Mac/King	7.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Owl Mountain	6.84	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Twin Sisters	6.57	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Batey Bould	6.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Little Pend Oreille Orv	5.51	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Thompson Ridge	5.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
South Huckleberry	5.2	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Batey Bould	4.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Granite Mountain	4.39	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Middle Fork Calispel	4.32	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Golden Stairway	4.09	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Tunnel	3.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Shrew Creek	3.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Batey Bould	3.45	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Middle Fork Calispel	3.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Segment 5	3.14	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Granite Peak	3.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Rufus	3.01	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
U.S Spur	2.67	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Middle Fork Calispel	2.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
S.Huck2	2.28	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Angel Pass	2.25	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Gillette Ridge Spur	1.99	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Batey Bould Loop	1.96	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mjr	1.9	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Mutton Creek	1.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Ton 319	1.77	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Oct
Leo Spur	1.66	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ton 318	1.59	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Thomas Mountain	1.54	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Ton 317	1.5	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Mutton Ridge	1.47	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Quartz Hall Tie	1.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Nov
Batey Bould	1.41	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
Batey Bould	1.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Year-round
South Skookum Lake	1.28	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round
Geophysical (Perspiration)	1.28	Allowed	Restricted	Year-round

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Colville 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 Colville National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 52 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 52 and 52 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Colville 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 Colville National Forest?: Most bike-designated trails in Colville National Forest carry a Apr–Nov season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.