Texas motorcycle rides: Hill Country curves to Big Bend desert

Texas is big enough to ride like several states. Much of it is straight interstate and flat ranch land, but the Hill Country is cut by rivers into ridges and canyons, and the ranch roads that climb in and out of them are as good as anything in the South.

The Hill Country runs west from Austin and San Antonio toward Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Bandera and Leakey. The famous curves are here, a day ride from both cities.

West Texas is the other half. Around Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa and Big Bend the land opens into desert mountains; plan it as a trip, not a day. The Panhandle adds canyon country near Amarillo, East Texas has the Piney Woods, and the Gulf Coast runs from Corpus Christi to Galveston.

Spring (March to May) is the best time for most of the state. The Hill Country turns green, wildflowers line the ranch roads in March and April, and temperatures are comfortable. Spring also brings strong thunderstorms, hail and flash floods, so check radar before a long day.

Summer (June to September) is hot nearly everywhere, with many days over 100 degrees. Ride early, carry water and skip the low desert around Big Bend in midsummer. Gulf hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

Fall (October and November) is the second prime season and the best time for West Texas and Big Bend. Winter is mild in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, so you can ride most of the year there, while the Panhandle gets wind, ice and snow.

Texas requires helmets for some riders, mainly younger riders; the age and conditions are set in state law. The IIHS helmet law overview keeps a current table by state. Whatever the law says for your age, wear a helmet. A full-face lid with a clear visor also keeps out the bugs, hail and road grit that come with riding here.

As of 2026, Texas law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride. Until that changes, stay in your lane, hold a lane position where drivers can see you in their mirrors, and leave room to move at lights.

The big one is the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, usually in November, which fills the island with bikes, vendors and music. Check the organizer for dates.

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride happens worldwide every May, with rides in many cities. Check its site for one near you in Texas.

The rest of the year is bike nights, coffee meets, charity rides and toy runs. Rippin's events map covers the whole US, so you can find Texas meets and RSVP from your phone, and any rider or shop can post their own. Upcoming Texas events from the app are listed below.

Rippin' is a free motorcycle app for iPhone and Android. The ride tracker records in the background, and every ride pays points.

Turf Wars fits Texas well. Ride a loop that closes back on itself and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. Most of the Texas map is still unclaimed, so a Hill Country loop like the Twisted Sisters can wrap a big piece of ground on the first try. Read how Turf Wars works.

Honest note: Rippin' started in Southern California, and most of Texas has few riders and roads in the app so far. Add your favorite stretch as a segment and a person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live (how roads get added). Shops and cafes can become poker stops through partners, and crews can keep chat, plans and turf together in squads.

Riding out of Austin? Start with our Austin and Texas Hill Country ride guide, built from roads riders have added in the app.