Things To Do on an eBike in Lagrange County, IN
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is the eBike route in Lagrange County, and it ends in Shipshewana. It is a multi-use rail-trail that connects Shipshewana, Middlebury and Goshen. It follows the old Pumpkin Vine Railroad, which stopped all service in 1980, according to the 2017 Indiana Trails Study. Start at 315 Depot St in Shipshewana and ride west. Class 1 eBikes are allowed. Class 3 eBikes are not.
This guide covers the trail in five manager sections, from Goshen to the Shipshewana end. Only the Town of Shipshewana section lies in Lagrange County, from the county line to 850 W. The other four sections are outside Lagrange County and are included because the ride continues through them. Each has its own manager, listed under the route headings.
Where to ride in Lagrange County
Start the Pumpkinvine in Lagrange County at the Shipshewana trailhead, 315 Depot St. It sits at the end of Depot Street by North Park and the baseball diamonds, with free parking, restrooms and a tire air pump. The Elkhart County trail guide also lists access at Abshire Park in Goshen, Co Rd 26, Co Rd 31, Co Rd 35, Krider World's Fair Garden in Middlebury, Co Rd 43 and the Shipshewana LaGrange County Visitors Bureau.
The five sections share one trail, so the eBike rules are the same on all of them: Class 1 is allowed, Class 3 is not, and the limit is 15 mph. Surface is the main difference, as most of the trail is asphalt, while SR 4 to CR 28 is packed limestone. Total length is disputed, because TrailLink says 18.6 miles, Visit Shipshewana says 17, and the Elkhart County guide says 17.3, and section lengths are not listed.
eBike shop hubs
Pick a city to see its shop listings, starting with Shipshewana, which has seven of the county's 12. Topeka has two and three other cities have one each.
- eBike shops in Topeka
- eBike shops in Shipshewana
- eBike shops in Millersburg
- eBike shops in Wolcottville
- eBike shops in Lagrange
Other local service contacts
No rental listings show up for Lagrange County right now, so these shops are the local contacts for service, parts and test rides. Call Heartland Bike Shop or Heritage Trails Bike Shop first to ask whether they work on your motor system and battery.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Shipshewana end, the Lagrange County section
This is the Lagrange County end of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and the eastern terminus of the whole trail. The Town of Shipshewana manages the section from the Elkhart/LaGrange County line to 850 W. According to amishlandandlakes.com, the trail was extended to the east side of Shipshewana in 2022. The trailhead is at 315 Depot St, at the end of Depot Street by North Park and the baseball diamonds. Downtown shops and restaurants are close enough to reach by bike from the lot. Mile markers are color-coded by agency, so you can tell when you leave the Town of Shipshewana section and enter Elkhart County Parks territory. Turn around here if you want a short out-and-back from town.
Distance: Section length is not published; Visit Shipshewana lists the full trail at 17 miles, the Elkhart County guide at 17.3 miles one way and TrailLink at 18.6 miles; start: 315 Depot St, Shipshewana, IN 46565, at the end of Depot Street by North Park, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition; surface: Asphalt, per Visit Shipshewana, which names packed limestone only between SR 4 and CR 28.
eBike access: Class 1 eBikes are allowed and Class 3 are not, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Class 2 is not clearly marked, so confirm with the Town of Shipshewana. The speed limit is 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: The trail is open sunrise to sunset. Keep to the right, sound an alarm and pass on the left. Walkers and runners have the right-of-way. Leash pets at six feet or less and pick up waste. Managing source: Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, The Trail page.
2. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, York Dr. to the county line, toward Shipshewana
This stretch is the link between Middlebury and the Shipshewana end of the trail. Elkhart County Parks manages it from York Dr. to the Elkhart County line, where the Town of Shipshewana section begins. Riders heading to Shipshewana pass through it on the way to the eastern terminus. The Elkhart County biking and walking guide lists access points and trailheads on the full trail at Co Rd 26, Co Rd 31, Co Rd 35 and Co Rd 43. It does not say which fall in this stretch, so check the manager map. The same Class 1 and Class 3 rule applies as on the rest of the trail.
Distance: Section length is not published; the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition marks each agency's section with color-coded mile markers; start: Several access points; the Elkhart County guide lists trailheads at Co Rd 35 and Co Rd 43, so check the manager map for this stretch; surface: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, York Dr. to the county line: asphalt, per Visit Shipshewana, which names packed limestone only from SR 4 to CR 28.
eBike access: Class 1 eBikes are allowed and Class 3 are not on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Elkhart County Parks manages this stretch, so confirm Class 2 with that agency. Etiquette and planning: Ride on the right and sound an alarm before you pass. Walkers and runners go first. Stay under the 15 mph limit, and finish before sunset when the trail closes. Managing source: Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, The Trail page (Elkhart County Parks section).
3. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Middlebury section: US 20 tunnel to York Dr.
Middlebury's section is the town's newest linear park. According to the Town of Middlebury, it follows the old Pumpkinvine Railroad from the tunnel under US Highway 20, through town, past Krider World's Fair Garden Park and ends at York Drive. The Middlebury Park Department manages it. The town describes it as a multi-use pedestrian trail, so expect walkers. The Elkhart County guide lists Krider World's Fair Garden as an access point. The town's page does not publish a separate eBike rule, so follow the class rule on the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition page. It lies outside Lagrange County, on the way to the Shipshewana end.
Distance: Section length is not published; the Town of Middlebury describes it as running from the US 20 tunnel to York Drive; start: Krider World's Fair Garden in Middlebury, listed as an access point in the Elkhart County guide; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: The Town of Middlebury calls this a multi-use pedestrian trail and lists no separate eBike rule. The Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition allows Class 1 and bars Class 3 on the trail. Etiquette and planning: Expect walkers and runners, who have the right-of-way on the trail. Sound an alarm before passing on the left, and keep to the right at the 15 mph limit. Managing source: Town of Middlebury, Middlebury Pumpkin Vine Trail page.
4. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, CR 28 to US 20: Elkhart County Parks stretch
This stretch joins the Goshen limestone section to Middlebury. Elkhart County Parks manages the trail from CR 28 to US 20, and the Middlebury section starts at the US 20 tunnel. Visit Shipshewana says the trail is asphalt except from SR 4 to CR 28, so the surface here is asphalt. Riders coming from Goshen pass through it on the way to Middlebury and Shipshewana. The Elkhart County guide lists Abshire Park in Goshen and access points at Co Rd 26 and Co Rd 31 but does not tie them to a manager. Use the color-coded mile markers to see where Elkhart County Parks ends.
Distance: Section length is not published; the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition marks Elkhart County Parks sections with color-coded mile markers; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, CR 28 to US 20: asphalt, per Visit Shipshewana, which names packed limestone only from SR 4 to CR 28.
eBike access: Class 1 eBikes are allowed and Class 3 are not, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. The Class 2 label is unclear, so ask Elkhart County Parks before riding a throttle bike here. Etiquette and planning: Hold the right side and pass on the left after sounding an alarm. Keep pets on a leash of six feet or less. No alcohol, hunting or trapping is allowed on the trail. Managing source: Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, The Trail page (Elkhart County Parks section).
5. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, SR 4 to CR 28: Goshen limestone section
The Goshen section is the one stretch of packed limestone. Goshen Parks & Recreation manages the trail from SR 4 to CR 28, northeast of Goshen. Visit Shipshewana says the limestone suits narrow-tired bicycles. TrailLink lists the trail's surfaces as asphalt and crushed stone and puts the western end point at N Fifth St in Goshen. The Elkhart County guide lists Abshire Park in Goshen as an access point. Limestone rides slower than asphalt, so keep well under the 15 mph limit. This section is outside Lagrange County. Reaching it from Shipshewana means riding most of the trail.
Distance: Section length is not published; TrailLink lists the full trail at 18.6 miles from N Fifth St in Goshen to Depot St in Shipshewana; start: Abshire Park in Goshen is listed as an access point by the Elkhart County guide; surface: Packed limestone from SR 4 to CR 28, suitable for narrow-tired bicycles, per Visit Shipshewana.
eBike access: Class 1 eBikes are allowed and Class 3 are not on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Goshen Parks & Recreation manages this section, so confirm Class 2 with them. Etiquette and planning: Slow down on limestone and give walkers and runners the right-of-way. Sound an alarm before passing on the left, and plan to be off the trail by sunset. Managing source: Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, The Trail page (Goshen Parks & Recreation section).
Planning a Lagrange County ride
Charging points on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail are not published. The Shipshewana trailhead at 315 Depot St lists free parking, public restrooms and an air pump for tires, and no charger. Charge the battery before you leave, and plan the round trip. Visit Shipshewana and amishlandandlakes.com call the trail 17 miles, which is 34 miles round trip, so a full out-and-back needs a well-charged battery.
The trail is open sunrise to sunset, so plan to finish before dark. The trail pages list no closures and no pending eBike rule changes. The only dated change is the 2022 extension to the east side of Shipshewana, according to amishlandandlakes.com. Unauthorized motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail. Check the manager map for each section before you ride through it.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Park at 315 Depot St in Shipshewana and ride the Town of Shipshewana section of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail out and back. Return to the downtown shops and restaurants by bike. Section length is not published, so watch the color-coded mile markers and your battery. Ride a Class 1 bike, since Class 3 is not allowed. Leave time to finish before sunset.
Full day: Ride the full trail from Shipshewana toward Middlebury and on to Goshen, then return. Visit Shipshewana and amishlandandlakes.com call the trail 17 miles, or 34 miles round trip. TrailLink lists 18.6 miles one way. Pass Krider World's Fair Garden in Middlebury. Expect packed limestone from CR 28 to SR 4 northeast of Goshen. Start early, carry a full battery, and be off the trail by sunset.
Rentals and repairs: Start at the Shipshewana end. Pumpkinvine.org lists Otto's Bike Repair & Water Shop, with rentals made at 2 Chicks & A Chair, 155 Harrison St. Visit Shipshewana lists Trail Riders Shipshewana at 305 N Morton St for rental and repairs, and Shipshewana Bike Rental, booked online with pickup at Farmstead Inn, 370 S Van Buren St. Ask about eBike availability first, then ride.
What not to ride in Lagrange County
Class 3 eBikes on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail: The Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition marks Class 3 eBikes, with assist up to 28 mph, as not allowed on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. That covers every manager section from Goshen to the Shipshewana end. Leave a speed pedelec off the trail and read the posted signs.
Class 2 throttle eBikes until confirmed: The Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition defines Class 2, where the motor may propel the bike alone and assist ceases at 20 mph, but its trail page does not clearly mark it allowed or not allowed. Confirm with the Town of Shipshewana or the managing agency before riding a throttle bike.
The trail after sunset: The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is open sunrise to sunset, according to the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition and Visit Shipshewana. Lighting and after-dark access are not published. Do not plan an evening ride on the trail, and watch the clock in late fall when daylight is short.
Indiana DNR properties and natural-surface trails: Indiana DNR has its own eBike rules for DNR properties, and managers control eBike access on natural-surface trails. No natural-surface eBike route in Lagrange County is listed here. Read the Indiana DNR eBike rules and the posted signs before taking an eBike off pavement.
When to ride Lagrange County
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is open sunrise to sunset, so daylight sets your ride length. Days are shortest from late fall through winter, and a 34-mile round trip needs a long day. Spring and early fall are usually milder than summer for long rides, and summer can be hot, so carry water. Snow or ice can make any surface slow. Crowd levels and seasonal closures are not published, so check the manager map and posted signs.
Indiana eBike laws and route permission
Indiana sorts eBikes into three classes. Class 1 has pedal assist only, and the motor stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 has a motor that may propel the bike without pedaling, but it cannot assist above 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal assist only, and the motor ceases at 28 mph. These classes are set out in IC 9-13-2-26.8. The definition of an electric bicycle is in IC 9-13-2-49.2. It requires operable pedals and a motor under 750 W. The older definition in IC 9-13-2-26.5 has been repealed.
The main age rule applies to Class 3 bikes under IC 9-21-11-13.1. The operator must be at least 15. Someone under 15 may ride only as a passenger on a Class 3 built to carry passengers. Class 3 bikes are not allowed on bicycle or multipurpose paths unless the path is within or next to a highway or roadway, or the local or state authority with jurisdiction permits it. Local authorities may also restrict eBikes on paths. Cities and counties can add path rules, so check with your city or county before you ride.
Class 3 operators and passengers under 18 must wear a properly fitted, fastened helmet that meets CPSC or ASTM standards. State law sets no helmet rule for Class 1 or Class 2 riders. Indiana does not require a license, registration, or insurance for eBikes that meet the legal definition. If your bike falls outside the definition, for example with a motor over 750 W, different rules may apply. For a fuller walkthrough, read our guide to Indiana eBike laws.
Trail access is decided by whoever manages the land. On bicycle and multipurpose paths, local authorities may restrict eBikes, and the state or local authority with jurisdiction can permit Class 3 use. Natural-surface trails are controlled by their managers, so a trail that allows pedal bikes may still limit eBikes. Check the posted rules or contact the park or trail office before you go. Do not assume a path that is open to Class 1 is also open to Class 3.
State land has its own rules. Indiana DNR sets e-bike rules for DNR properties, and they apply on top of the traffic code. Read the current rules on the Indiana DNR e-bike rules page before riding a state property. Speed and class limits on a given trail come from its manager, so confirm them with the land manager. Then use our directory to find Indiana eBike shops near the trail for gear and service advice.
Lagrange County and the Town of Shipshewana list no eBike ordinance for the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, and no sidewalk eBike rule is published for Shipshewana. The state default applies where no rule is posted. Four agencies run the trail, and the Town of Shipshewana manages the Lagrange County end from the county line to 850 W. Class 1 is allowed and Class 3 is not, per the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Follow the sign at each section.
Two points are unsettled, and on length, TrailLink lists 18.6 miles, Visit Shipshewana and amishlandandlakes.com say 17 miles, and the Elkhart County biking and walking guide says 17.3 miles one way. On Class 2, the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition defines it as a motor that may propel the bike alone, with assistance ceasing at 20 mph, but its trail page does not clearly mark it allowed or not allowed. Ask the Town of Shipshewana or the managing agency before you ride a throttle bike.
No pending eBike rule changes are listed for the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail as of October 2026, and state rules still apply. The only dated change is the 2022 extension of the trail to the east side of Shipshewana. See IC 9-21-11-13.1 for Class 3 age and path limits and the Indiana DNR eBike rules for DNR properties. Check the manager map for updates.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail?
The listed distances disagree, and TrailLink lists 18.6 miles from N Fifth St in Goshen to Depot St in Shipshewana. Visit Shipshewana and amishlandandlakes.com say 17 miles, or 34 miles round trip. The Elkhart County biking and walking guide gives 17.3 miles one way. Section lengths are not published, so use the color-coded mile markers on the trail.
What is the speed limit on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail?
The speed limit is 15 mph, according to the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition and Visit Shipshewana. Walkers and runners have the right-of-way. Keep to the right, sound an alarm and pass on the left. The limit applies to every eBike allowed on the trail, so a Class 1 bike with assist to 20 mph should ride slower than its top assist speed.
Is the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail paved?
Mostly yes, the trail is asphalt except from State Road 4 to County Road 28 northeast of Goshen, where it is packed limestone suitable for narrow-tired bicycles, according to Visit Shipshewana. TrailLink lists asphalt and crushed stone. The Shipshewana end in Lagrange County is on the asphalt portion.
Who manages the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in Shipshewana?
The Town of Shipshewana manages the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail from the Elkhart/LaGrange County line to 850 W, according to the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Elkhart County Parks manages the stretch from York Dr. to the county line. Contact the managing agency for rules, closures or eBike class questions.
What time does the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail close?
The trail is open sunrise to sunset, as listed by the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition and Visit Shipshewana. Plan your return so you finish before dark, especially in late fall when daylight is short. Hours for the Shipshewana trailhead lot and restrooms are not published, so check posted signs at 315 Depot St.
Can I ride a Class 1 eBike on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail?
Yes, the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition lists Class 1 eBikes, which assist only while pedaling and stop assisting at 20 mph, as allowed on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. The 15 mph trail limit still applies. Class 3 eBikes are not allowed on the trail.
Are pets and horses allowed on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail?
Pets are allowed on a leash of six feet or less, and owners must clean up waste, but horses are prohibited. Alcohol, hunting and trapping are also prohibited on the trail, according to the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition and Visit Shipshewana. Check posted signs for any rule a managing agency adds.
Do I need a license or registration for an eBike in Lagrange County?
No, Indiana does not require a license, registration or insurance for an eBike that meets the state definition, which means operable pedals and a motor under 750 W (IC 9-13-2-49.2). No Lagrange County rule changes that, so see Indiana eBike laws.
All eBike shops in Lagrange County
Browse all Lagrange County eBike shops across Shipshewana, Topeka, Millersburg, Wolcottville and Lagrange.