The Best Oregon Covered Bridges

Oregon is famous for its Covered Bridges, which are wooden architectural gems and a heritage of the past. We have added some of the most interesting to our Itinerary around this state. When choosing, we were guided by the attractiveness of covered bridges as photographic objects. So, below are the most beautiful covered bridges in Oregon.

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How many covered bridges are in Oregon?

Oregon has 48 historic covered bridges, the largest concentration of wooden-covered bridge construction of any state in the West. We have visited around 10 so far, and we share our favorites with you below. However, there were around 450 covered bridges in Oregon between 1905 and 1925.

Most of Oregon’s covered bridges are in Lane County. You can find a list of all 48 Oregon bridges on Wikipedia. Most of the bridges were restored, and only a few still allow vehicular traffic. Furthermore, most of Oregon’s covered bridges are on the National Register of Historic Places.

So, suppose you plan an Oregon Rod Trip from Portland to Crater Lake National Park. In this case is worth adding some stops in Lane County, Linn County, and Willamette National Forest to admire some of the best-covered bridges of Oregon.

Our Experiences

My partner Chris and I love covered bridges. We are romantics, and these bridges are extremely romantic and picturesque, so we always add them to our itinerary. Our fascination with these wooden bridges began with the famous film The Bridges of Madison County, which starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood in beautiful roles.

All photos presented in this article are our own and were taken during several of our trips around Oregon. We share first-hand experience, tips, and observations so that you can best prepare for your own journey along the covered bridge’s route.

Why are some bridges covered in Oregon?

The bridges were built by the first pioneers with simple hand tools. A tree from dense Oregon forests was used for the construction. Douglas Fir was great for bridge construction. Furthermore, timber trusses were used to increase the usefulness of bridges. This way, bridges were protected from the damp.

It was a time of horse-drawn wagons and elegant carriages, long dresses with corsets, and cowboy duels. The first covered bridges were built in the early 1850s, and construction continued into the 1950s. The increasingly popular road traffic, heavy loads, large transports, and technological development meant that wooden bridge construction had ended, and the focus was on more durable iron bridges.

What is the purpose of the cover on a covered bridge?
After rain or snow, the wood was becoming dangerously slippery, especially in Oregon, when there is high air humidity for a large part of the year. So, the cover over the bridges was to protect against slipping so that the horse-drawn wagons would not fall into the river.

So, if you want to step back in time to imagine the sound of horses’ hooves on wooden bridges, add covered bridges to your Oregon Itinerary.

Oregon Covered Bridges – Grave Creek Bridge

Grave Creek Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Josephine County, Sunny Valley. It was built in 1920 and is the oldest one we have seen so far in Oregon. It is 105 feet in length.
GPS coordinates are 42.636097°N 123.377638°W

Oregon Covered Bridges – Larwood Bridge

Larwood Bridge is our favorite covered bridge in Oregon. The wood is white, and the light-exposed truss side openings are perfect for photos. It is in Linn County, near Crabtree, at the Roaring River’s confluence, and Crabtree Creek. It was built in 1939 and is 105 feet in length.

The Larwood Bridge is one of three covered bridges across Crabtree Creek in Linn County. Furthermore, it’s open to cars. The area is amazing, with the Larwood Wayside Park beside the bridge. So, it’s a perfect place to stop and rest during an Oregon road trip.
GPS coordinates are 44.630678°N 122.740921°W

Oregon Covered Bridges – Hannah Bridge

Hannah Bridge from 1936 is also in Linn County, near Scio. The other name is Thomas Creek Bridge. It has 105 feet in length.
GPS coordinates are 44.712067°N 122.718420°W

Oregon Covered Bridges – Shimanek Bridge

Shimanek Covered Bridge, aka Thomas Creek, was built in 1966. It is located in Linn County, near Scio. It is 105 feet in length. The first bridge was built at this place as early as 1861.

It was replaced in 1891 and 1904, then again in 1921 and 1927 after damaging floods, and one last time in 1966. Furthermore, it is dark red. We love it.
GPS coordinates are 44.715673°N 122.804398°W

Oregon Covered Bridges – Sandy Creek Bridge

Sandy Creek Bridge is a 60-foot footbridge and one of the oldest covered bridges in Oregon. It was built in 1921, so it is 100 years old! And it still looks pretty! It is in Coos County, near Sandy Creek’s confluence with the Middle Fork Coquille River. GPS coordinates are 43.00637°N 123.89177°W.

Oregon Covered Bridges – Currin Bridge

Currin Bridge is 105 feet in length and was built in 1883 and replaced in 1925. It has an unusual look—it is red on the sides and white on the front and back. It’s open to pedestrians.

It is a covered bridge in Lane County, near Cottage Grove. Furthermore, 19 covered bridges remain in Lane County. So, if you are interested in the history of covered bridges, it is worth adding Lane County to your Oregon itinerary.
The GPS coordinates are 43.7930389°N 122.9964583°W.

Oregon Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway

If you like cycling and have more time, you can do the great bike route and see the most beautiful covered bridges in Lane County. There are 19 bridges.

The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway totals 36 miles (57.94 km) and is a moderate route for an all-day cycling excursion. The scenic bikeway begins and ends in the All-America City of Cottage Grove, Oregon. It can be easily shortened. Furthermore, this route is also a great idea for families who love active holidays.

During this trip, you can admire Cottage Grove Covered Bridge, Chambers Bridge, Dorena Covered Bridge, Stewart Bridge, and more.

Finally, details you will find in the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway Map and the route description.

Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route

The Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route is a laid-back, easy 20-mile journey through beautiful Lane County. It is one of Oregon’s many officially designated scenic drives, along with the National Scenic Byways and Oregon State Scenic Byways. Furthermore, you’ll see a half-dozen covered bridges as you travel along Dorena Lake and the Row River.

Furthermore, you can extend your drive by heading north (east) toward Eugene. Lookout Point Lake and Fall Creek Lake have more covered bridges.

So, if you are a fan of bridges, consider an Oregon Covered Bridges Road Trip. If you would like to see pictures of the rest of Oregon’s covered bridges, we recommend this article.

Related Articles to Oregon Covered Bridges

If you are planning an Oregon road trip, check out our articles below. Maybe it will inspire you to visit these places. So, our best places in Oregon are:

• Portland is a fabulous city with 12 impressive bridges. So, check our Portland Itinerary.
• The trip to the USA’s deepest lake is an unforgettable experience. So, check our list of The Best Things to do at Crater Lake. The only National Park in Oregon.
• Multnomah Falls is undoubtedly an icon of the Pacific Northwest. So, check our photos and tips here.
• Here you will find our Guide to the Oregon Proxy Falls Hike & Photography Tips hidden in the Three Sisters Wilderness near Bend.
• Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike in Oregon is fabulous. It is hidden in the Willamette National Forest on the McKenzie River in Linn County. So, you can combine it with covered bridges.
• Or maybe you like ghost towns? One of the best in Oregon is, for sure, Shaniko Ghost Town.
• Or maybe you are a fan of Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick? So, visit Timberline Lodge: The Shining movie location in the Mount Hood area.
• Or maybe you are interested in the Oregon desert? So, check our tips from the Alvord Desert in Oregon.
• If you are a fan of hot springs, we can highly recommend three amazing hot springs in Oregon. Alvord Hot Springs in the desert, Crystal Crane Hot Springs, AKA Crane Hot Springs near Burns. And finally, the famous Umpqua Hot Springs.
• Our favorite town in Oregon is Sisters. And we highly recommend it. Time has stood still there, and the possibilities for hiking in the area make it a perfect holiday destination.