The Best Oregon Covered Bridges

Updated on February 20, 2021

Oregon’s Covered Bridges are a wooden architectural gem and a heritage of the past. Oregon is famous for its bridges. That is why 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, in our opinion, the most beautiful covered bridges in Oregon.

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How many covered bridges are in Oregon?

You can find 48 historic covered bridges in Oregon. It’s the largest concentration of wooden covered bridge construction of any state in the West. We have visited around 10 so far. We share with you our favorites below. But it used to be around 450 covered bridges in Oregon between 1905 and 1925.
And most of the covered bridges of Oregon are in Lane County. You can find a list of all 48 Oregon bridges on Wikipedia. Most of the bridges were restored, only a few still allow vehicular traffic. Furthermore, most of Oregon’s covered bridges are on the National Register of Historic Places.

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

Why are some bridges covered?

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 to bridge construction. Furthermore, to increase bridges’ useful life, timber trusses were used. This way bridges were protected from the damp.

It was a time of horse-drawn wagons and elegant carriages. It was a time of long dresses with corsets and cowboy duels. First covered bridges were built in the early 1850s. Construction was continued into the 1950s. The more and more popular road traffic, heavy loads, large transports, and technology development meant that wooden bridges’ construction was 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 into time to imagine the sound of horses’ hooves on the wooden bridges add covered bridges to your Oregon Itinerary.

More about these historical structures you will learn in the books below.

Oregon Covered Bridges	Oregon's Covered Bridges	Oregon Covered Bridges	Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas
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Oregon Covered Bridges – Grave Creek Bridge

Grave Creek Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Josephine County, in Sunny Valley. It was built in 1920, and it’s the oldest one we have seen so far in Oregon. It has 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 so white, and light-exposed truss side openings are perfect for photos there. Its location is in Linn County, near Crabtree, at Roaring River’s confluence and Crabtree Creek. It was built in 1939 and has 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 next to 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 also is in Linn County, near Scio. The other name is the 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. Its location is in Linn County, near Scio. It has 105 feet in length. Actually, the first bridge was built at this place as early as 1861. Than replaced in 1891 and 1904, then again in 1921 and 1927 after damaging floods, and one last time in 1966. Furthermore, a dark red color characterizes it. We love it.
GPS coordinates are 44.715673°N 122.804398°W

Oregon Covered Bridges – Sandy Creek Bridge

Sandy Creek Bridge is a footbridge of 60 feet in length. Furthermore, it’s one of the oldest covered bridges in Oregon we have seen so far. It was built in 1921, so it is 100 years old! And it still looks pretty! Its location 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 from 1925 and has 105 feet in length. Actually it was built in 1883, and han replaced in 1925. The bridge has unnusual look – is red on the sides, and white on the front and back. It’s opened to pedestrians. It is covered bridge in Lane County, near Cottage Grove. Furthermore, in Lane County remains 19 covered bridges. So, if you are interested history of covered bridges is worth add Lane County to your Oregon itinerary.
The GPS coordinates are 43.7930389°N 122.9964583°W.

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 is 19 bridges.
Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway route totals 36 miles (57.94 km). And it is a moderate route for an all-day cycling excursion. A 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.

You can admire Cottage Grove Covered Bridge, Chambers Bridge, Dorena Covered Bridge, Stewart Bridge, and more during this trip.

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 and easy, 20-mile journey through beautiful Lane County. This is one of the many officially designated scenic drives in Oregon, along with the National Scenic Byways and Oregon State Scenic Byways. Furthermore, you’ll see a half-dozen covered bridges on the way as you travel along the Dorena Lake and the Row River.

Furthermore, it’s also possible to extend your drive by heading north (east) toward Eugene. More covered bridges you will find in Lookout Point Lake and Fall Creek Lake.

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

Related Articles

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, fabulous city with 12 impressive bridges. So, chcek 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 which is 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 fan of Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrik? 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 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 on the desert, Crystal Crane Hot Springs, AKA Crane Hot Springs near Burns. And finally, 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.