Carved by Time: Riding the Landscapes of Ballinger Canyon

The Department of Wander crew loaded up and headed out to Ballinger Canyon, a remote campground and OHV area tucked away in the hills, known for its endless web of single track trails. Ballinger Canyon isn’t just a place you ride through—it’s a place you ride within. The scenery feels massive and intimate at the same time. Towering canyon walls rise up on either side, shaped by time and weather, their layers telling a story that stretches far beyond a single ride. In the narrow sections, the land closes in, amplifying every sound and making each turn feel deliberate and earned.

Then, without warning, the trail opens up. Ridges stretch out toward the horizon, revealing wide views of rolling hills, jagged rock formations, and endless sky. From up high, the scale of the landscape really sinks in. You’re small out here, moving through something far bigger than yourself—and that’s exactly the point.

From the moment we dropped in, it was clear this place has something for every kind of rider. Cruisy two-track trails wind their way through open terrain, perfect for settling into a rhythm, while more technical play areas wait patiently for those looking to push themselves a little further.

Hill climbs, exposed ridgelines, and off-camber sections demand focus and commitment. Some trails require a surprising amount of balance, threading the bike through narrow lines where momentum and control matter more than speed. Others pull you deep into tight canyon corridors, where the walls close in and the trail feels like it was carved just wide enough for handlebars and courage.

Despite it being a Saturday, Ballinger Canyon felt refreshingly quiet. Its remoteness likely keeps the crowds away, and honestly, that’s part of the magic. Out here, it feels like the land opens up just for you—no rush, no noise, just the sound of engines echoing through the canyon and tires biting into dirt.

We barely scratched the surface on this trip. With miles of single track still waiting to be explored, Ballinger Canyon is already calling us back. Ballinger has the kind of scenery that makes you slow down, kill the engine, and take it all in for a moment before dropping back into the trail. Ballinger Canyon doesn’t just challenge your riding—it reminds you why places like this deserve to be explored, respected, and returned to.

Because this is what Department of Wander is all about: finding the places that remind us why we ride, and getting a little lost along the way.