Posted in Oregon Fall, Sights & Landmarks September 29, 2021 by

Here Are 11 Of The Most Beautiful Oregon Covered Bridges To Explore This Fall

There are so many ways to enjoy Oregon’s fall foliage. You can take a hike to surround yourself with the beautiful colors of autumn, or walk across a bridge to get a glimpse at some stunning scenery. You can even dine in a historic lodge with a famous waterfall, and see autumn leaves from the floor-to-ceiling windows inside. There’s another often-overlooked fall foliage activity that we highly recommend: seeking out Oregon’s beautiful covered bridges. Here are 11 of our favorite covered bridges in Oregon:

1. Grave Creek Bridge, Josephine County
Mona Makela Photography/Moments Collection/via Getty Images
Grave Creek Bridge is likely Oregon's most often viewed. It spans 105 feet across the creek, and was constructed in 1920.
Grave Creek Road, Grave Creek Rd, Oregon, USA
2. Rochester Bridge, near Sutherlin
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The Rochester Bridge is one of Oregon's more unusual bridges, with four windows on each side. The bridge was in danger of being removed by the county in the 1950s, and concerned residents kept guard to save it. The bridge was later remodeled.
Rochester Bridge Road, Rochester Bridge Rd, Oregon 97462, USA
3. Shimanek Bridge, near Scio
thygen/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Unlike most of Oregon's covered bridges, which are white, Shimanek is a bold, bright red. It spans Thompson creek 130 feet, and is actually the fifth bridge at this location; others fell victim to storms, floods, and other catastrophes.
Shimanek Bridge Drive, Shimanek Bridge Dr, Oregon 97374, USA
4. Gilkey Bridge, near Scio
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Gilkey Bridge also crosses Thomas Creek, and at 120 feet long, it's almost as large as the Shimanek Bridge. It was built in 1939, and was recently restored at a cost of $1.6 million.
Gilkey Road, Gilkey Rd, Oregon 97374, USA
5. Larwood Bridge, near Scio
Bob Pool/Photographer's Choice RF/via Getty Images
The Larwood Bridge is light and airy. You'll find it right by Larwood Wayside Park, crossing Crabtree Creek.
Larwood Drive, Larwood Dr, Oregon 97374, USA
6. Hannah Bridge, Scio
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The Hannah Bridge is another beauty near the town of Scio. Built in 1936, it was named for John Joseph Hannah, a settler in Scio.
Hannah Bridge, 42300 OR-226, Scio, OR 97374, USA
7. Goodpasture Bridge, near Vida
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The Goodpasture Bridge is an often-photographed gem that's the second-longest covered bridge in the state. It spans 237 feet, and crosses the McKenzie River.
Goodpasture Road, Goodpasture Rd, Vida, OR 97488, USA
8. Dorena Bridge, Dorena
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Crossing the Row River, the Dorena Bridge was built in 1949. The fall foliage around it is particularly beautiful!
Dorena Bridge, 37080 Row River Rd, Dorena, OR 97434, USA
9. Harris Bridge, near Wren
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This pretty, Howe Truss-style bridge was built in 1929 and named for a local settler in the area. Harris Bridge is an absolute vision in the autumn!
Harris Covered Bridge, 22900-22922 Harris Rd, Philomath, OR 97370, USA
10. Short Bridge, near Sweet Home
Buddy Mays/Corbis Collection/via Getty Images
Short Bridge (aka South Fork Santiam River Bridge) was built in 1945. It's tucked away in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by autumnal beauty.
Short Bridge, Foster, OR 97345, USA
11. Gallon House Bridge, Silverton
Tara Brooks-Stockton/Google
Oregon's oldest covered bridge still in use, Gallon House was built in 1916. It spans Abiqua Creek and was named for the gallons of liquor sold nearby during Prohibition.
Gallon House Road Northeast, Gallon House Rd NE, Oregon, USA

Have you visited any of these covered bridges in Oregon before? Are there any new ones you can’t wait to check out? We’d love to see your covered bridge photos in the comments below!

For another fun way to explore some of the most beautiful covered bridges in Oregon, check out this covered bridge trail in Cottage Grove.

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Address: Josephine County, OR, USA
Address: Scio, OR 97374, USA
Address: Sutherlin, OR, USA
Address: Vida, OR, USA
Address: Dorena, OR 97434, USA
Address: Wren, OR 97370, USA
Address: Sweet Home, OR, USA
Address: Silverton, OR 97381, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

covered bridges in Oregon

October 03, 2021
Sarah

How many covered bridges are there in Oregon?

There's nothing more delightful than happening upon a covered bridge; they are such charming structures full of nostalgia and history! If you enjoy covered bridges as much as we do, you'll be pleased to know that the Beaver State is home to some 54 covered bridges.

What's the oldest covered bridge in Oregon?

The distinction of oldest covered bridge in Oregon belongs to Lost Creek Covered Bridge. Built in 1881, this winsome structure was actually once slated for demolition (the horror!), and has been kept up and preserved over the years in a remote area east of Medford. The oldest covered bridge in Lane County (where the above covered bridge road trip is located) is Mosby Creek Covered Bridge. It is the only covered bridge that is still part of Cottage Grove’s roadway infrastructure.

Are there any covered bridge day trips in Oregon?

We're glad you asked! If you enjoyed checking out the above covered bridges, you'll be absolutely delighted by this covered bridge day trip, which features six beautiful bridges in Cottage Grove, Oregon! Known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon, this 20-mile route starts in Cottage Grove and loops around the nearby Dorena Lake, passing six gorgeous covered bridges along the way. Most of these historic bridges are no longer open to cars, but they are open to pedestrians, so you can pull over and check them out on foot. This charming excursion is positively unique, and picture-perfect anytime of the year!