Celebrating the Covered Bridges of the Willamette Valley
In the early 1900s, Willamette Valley port towns and timber communities faced a conundrum: They needed to build bridges across the region’s myriad waterways—but they had the elements to contend with.
To help guard against winter snow and spring rains, early planners devised a solution that looms large in our collective imagination today: covered bridges, typically crafted with lumber harvested from the Oregon Coast Range and Cascade foothills.
More than a century after the first covered bridge was built in the Willamette Valley, you’ll find these historic structures around the likes of Salem, Albany, and Cottage Grove—which boasts more covered bridges than anywhere else on the West Coast.
Keep reading for more on visiting these awe-inspiring spans on your next getaway—complete with biking routes, road-trip itineraries, and fascinating history.
Historic Covered Bridges Outside of Eugene and Cottage Grove
Ground zero for exploring the covered bridges of the Willamette Valley is Lane County, where 20 historic spans—some more than a century old—remain intact and can be visited today. More than a dozen still welcome vehicle traffic.
Some of the covered bridges in Lane County include:
Office Covered Bridge: At 180 feet long, the Office Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Oregon; it was originally built by the Westfir Lumber Company and is a landmark in Westfir today. See more outdoor activities around Westfir and Oakridge.
Mosby Creek Covered Bridge: Just east of Cottage Grove, the Mosby Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1920 and is now Lane County’s oldest such span.
Lowell Covered Bridge Interpretive Center: Crossing the Dexter Reservoir in the community of Lowell, the Lowell Covered Bridge Interpretive Center resides at the state’s widest covered bridge. Interpretive panels explain regional history, and photo ops abound. Several other covered bridges reside nearby, making Lowell a great place to start your adventure.
Pedaling the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway
One of the best ways to explore the covered bridges around Cottage Grove and throughout Lane County? Take a bike ride along the 36-mile Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway.
The family-friendly ride begins in Cottage Grove (where you can pick up rentals from Rainy Peak Bicycles) before heading southeast and circling Dexter Reservoir. Covered bridge views begin in downtown Cottage Grove and continue throughout the pleasant, low-traffic ride; in all, cyclists enjoy views of five historic structures along the way. Learn more about riding the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway—with more about what makes it so special, when to ride, and what to know before putting on your helmet—and see why it’s one of the top activities around Eugene.
Covered Bridges Around Albany and Salem
Lane County might get most of the love when it comes to covered bridges in the Willamette Valley, but Linn and Marion counties host another handful that invite visitors to get off the beaten path and explore the region’s quiet backroads.
If you’re interested in taking a trip back in time, check out our itinerary for visiting covered bridges around Salem and Albany. A few highlights include the Hoffman Covered Bridge with Gothic-style windows, the 105-foot-long Larwood Covered Bridge (built in 1939), and the Hannah Bridge (beloved for its large, angular windows on either side). The piece includes turn-by-turn directions, fun ideas for where to eat, and ideas for other fun things to do. A covered bridge tour also makes a great day trip from Albany, as well.