10/30/2026
October 29, 2026
Diamond in the Rough Dual Sport Adventure Ride comes to Jefferson
Start making plans now for a unique opportunity to travel the back roads of the Piney Woods for the 3rd Annual Diamond in the Rough Dual Sport Adventure Ride in Jefferson Texas. The event will begin on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Diamond Don RV Park and continue through the weekend.
On Friday evening, registered riders and immediate family are invited to attend a Meet and Greet dinner at the Diamond Don Event Center.
All street legal bikes can participate in self-organized rides through the Piney Woods. Some of the dirt roads harken back to stagecoach and wagon trails with high bluffs on each side. There is very scenic winding paved roads through Northeast Texas combined with dirt roads that make this a exceptional riding experience. There will be several GPS dual sport and all-pavement routes available which give the riders a choice of how much adventure they want. The Texas Parks and Wildlife says that “the east Texas Pineywoods has rolling terrain covered with pines and oaks, and rich bottomlands with tall hardwoods” with some streams and rivers thrown in for added thrills.
4TH Annual Jack Thompson Memorial Tiddler Ride (Included in the registration Fees)
2:00 PM, Saturday November 14, 2026 -- Meet at Diamond Don RV Park Pavilion for orientation and to begin 16-mile route on the back roads of Marion County, Texas. Bikes 125cc and under are welcome. Jack Thompson, co-founder of Texas Vintage Racing Club, always wanted to put on a “Tiddler” Ride but never had the chance before he passed a few years ago. His motto was “motocross for the fun of it”. This will definitely be a ride “FOR THE FUN OF IT”. For information, call Joe Joiner, 817-944-1363. Let’s make Jack proud!!
Bring out your vintage dirt bikes on Saturday and Sunday, 9:00-3:00, to ride the Diamond Don National Motocross Track or Cross-Country Course. There will be a “Shop til You Drop” in Downtown Jefferson with cash prizes for the best shoppers.
A 50/50 raffle will also be held throughout the weekend, offering attendees a chance to split the pot while directly supporting local law enforcement. Half of the total proceeds raised will go to the lucky winner, while the remaining 50% will be donated to Jefferson Adopt-a-Cop, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential equipment, resources, and support to local law enforcement officers. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event site from November 13–15, 2026, with the winning ticket drawn at 8:30 Sunday morning in the Pavilion. Breakfast will be served to registered guests with Church Service starting after raffle drawing. You do not need to be present to win. Promoters will arrange payment with the winner.
New to the sport or coming alone? Don’t worry – just ask around and find a group, pick your route and off you go. Routes will be public roadways. The weather plays a significant role in riding on these roads. If the weather prevents this event, December 3-6, 2026 has been set as a rain date.
Proceeds from the $75 Dual Sport registration fee will benefit Jefferson, Texas Adopt-A-Cop (“JAAC”).
Register online at wwwDiamondDon.com; stay up to date on event activities at Facebook: Diamond in the Rough. Registration at the RV Office will be available during the event.
Marion County Law Enforcement Officers must buy much of their own equipment, as it is not funded by their department budgets. JAAC started in January 2021 and, since that time, has paid out over $20,000 to help law enforcement officers (LEOs).
JAAC is a 501(c)3 organization that supports Jefferson Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, DPS and Game Wardens dedicated to service in Marion County. The program has been such a morale booster for these agencies and LEOs as they can see the warmth and hearts of the citizens in their community standing beside them in their time of need.
JAAC is so proud to have received Marion County Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year award “for going beyond the limit of community service and giving back to this city and county”.
Law enforcement officers may have to pay as much as $2000.00 for their equipment, and then have recurring replacement equipment costs. JAAC recognizes that this is a hardship not only for the officers, but also their families. Some of the required items are a one-time expense like their weapon and utility belts but some of the items need periodic replacement, like am******on, flashlights and boots. Last year, this event raised $5000 for JAAC.
Whether you are a new rider or an experienced adventurer, you will find a ride just for you – on both dirt and paved roads. There will be a variety of routes for all sizes of bikes and skill sets. The Diamond Don National Motocross Track and the Cross-Country Course will be available if you want to challenge your riding skills on some rough terrain.
Area dealerships will be onsite with the latest models of dual sport, adventure, and street bikes; gear and accessories. Shop til you Drop is a great opportunity to visit this iconic town to see what the local businesses have to offer. Dozens of significant buildings house museums, craft and antique shops and restaurants. There is a map of downtown Jefferson businesses located at www.DiamondDon.com.
The Jefferson Tourism Department, event sponsor, says “When you visit Jefferson, you take a journey back through time to a bustling 19th century river port. It was an era of prosperity and wealth, of petticoats and parasols, of Southern grace and romance. Today, Jefferson is a serene but vivacious historic town, a genuine artifact of the thriving riverport town it once was. It is home to more state registered historic structures than anywhere else in Texas, many of which are also listed on The National Registry of Historic Places.”
“The Piney Woods are the natural heart of East Texas. Comprised of several national forests and not much else, most of this vast area remains as it has for centuries, when Native American tribes and pioneers hunted wild game in the dense woods by day and slept under the canopy of pine boughs by night”, says Andy Rhodes, author of Moon Texas.
Bring your RV or tent camp at Diamond Don RV Park just a short one mile from Jefferson, on the Big Cypress Bayou, keeping you close to the action. Beautiful, wooded sites with lots of wildlife. Many of the RV sites have views of the Big Cypress Bayou. Free showers, restrooms, dump station and 7500 sq foot pavilion with a commercial kitchen.
Or plan on spending the weekend in a historic hotel or B&B. For more information on lodging, contact City of Jefferson Tourism Department, 903-665-3733, or visit their website, www.VisitJeffersonTexas.com.
Jefferson is nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and seems frozen in time. It is a charming town with brick streets that date back to the 1800’s. It is an elegant reminder of a bygone era. There are famous hotels downtown, and many notable homes offer bed and breakfast accommodations. Dozens of other historic buildings house museums, craft and antique shops and restaurants. Dine, Shop, Stay and Play. There is a lot to do in Jefferson so come early and stay late, and bring the family.
For a printable version CLICK HEREhttps://diamonddonempire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026-DNR-Press-Release.pdf
