Tour six historic Oregon bridges by car, bike, or foot.
Either by car on the Oregon Covered Bridge Scenic Byway or bike/foot on the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway. There’s nothing like these 6 historic covered bridges anywhere on the west coast.
The six bridges were constructed in the 1920-40s and are preserved as a peek into our nation’s history.
As you drive or bike through the countryside, you’ll enjoy views of farmland, vineyards, and Dorena Lake.
Cottage Grove’s covered bridges are a great day trip from Eugene.
Centennial Covered Bridge
Built in 1987 to commemorate Cottage Grove’s 100th birthday, the bridge is constructed out of old timbers from two former bridges.
The Centennial Bridge connects CG’s historic downtown area with the Applegate Trail Interpretive Center and a Veterans Memorial.
Windows along the length of the bridge light up the inside. At the entrance, you’ll find an 80’s time capsule on display.
Debbie Lockwood at Reflections Fine Arts and Photo created this gorgeous image. Check out her studio.
Centennial Covered Bridge facts
| Location | Corner of Main St and River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Built | 1987 |
| Length | 84 feet (26 m) – original |
| Length today | 10 feet (3 m) 3/8 scale copy of Chambers Railroad Bridge |
| Access | Pedestrian, bicycle |
| Design | Covered Howe truss |
| Crosses | Coast Fork Willamette River |
Chambers Railroad Covered Bridge
The last covered railroad bridge in Oregon and the tallest of the eight remaining covered railroad bridges in the US – see it while you can, folks.
This bridge is solid since it was meant for steam engines to carry loaded lumber cars. It’s been fully restored and rebuilt inside a park. You’ll find interpretive panels and art.
Chambers Railroad Covered Bridge facts
| Location | 1231 S River Rd and Harrison St, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Built | 1925 (rebuilt 2011) |
| Length | 78 feet (24 m) |
| Access | Pedestrian, bicycle |
| Design | Covered Howe four-leaf truss |
| Crosses | Coast Fork Willamette River |
Mosby Creek Covered Bridge
Mosby Creek Bridge is the oldest of Cottage Grove’s covered bridges, and it’s still in use on an actual roadway – as an actual bridge – this girl has maintained herself!
Although she has had a little work done, the original metal roof is now synthetic.
Mosby Creek Bridge is next to the Row River Trailhead, and fun fact, it’s right by the orange railroad bridge at the beginning of the movie ‘Stand by Me.’
Mosby Creek Covered Bridge facts
| Location | Layng Rd, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Built | 1920 (restored 2002) |
| Length | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Access | Vehicles (up to 8 tons) 11’7″ |
| Design | Covered Howe truss |
| Crosses | Mosby Creek |
Stewart Covered Bridge
Stewart Covered Bridge has seen its share of hard times. A major flood and heavy snow damaged the Stewart, and finally, it was bypassed by its more modern cousin, concrete.
In 1993 (cue the triumphant music), the bridge was lovingly restored and is used as a pedestrian crossing.
Stewart Covered Bridge facts
| Location | Mosby Creek Rd, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Built | 1930 (restored 1996) |
| Length | 60 feet (18.3 m) |
| Access | Pedestrian |
| Design | Covered Howe truss |
| Crosses | Mosby Creek |
Dorena Covered Bridge
You can drive through this bridge, but only to a parking lot. People like to get married and take family photos here because of car access, parking, and Dorena’s general good looks.
Dorena used to be a town until it was covered in water and became a reservoir. That’s a bittersweet story you can read about on the interpretive panels on the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway.
Like so many of Dorena Bridge’s friends, she was replaced by a younger version in concrete in the 1970s
The 1990s rolled around, and people got really interested in saving these historic beauties. Dorena was brought back from the dead and now proudly serves as the entrance to a parking lot.
Dorena Covered Bridge facts
| Location | Shoreview Dr, Dorena, OR |
| Built | 1949 (Rehab 1996) |
| Length | 105 feet (32 m) |
| Access | Vehicles (up to 3 tons) |
| Design | Covered Howe truss |
| Crosses | Row River |
Currin Covered Bridge
Currin is special not only because she was originally built in 1883 and again in 1925 and had massive reconstructive surgery in 1987 and 1995 (whew, that’s history) but because she has red sides.
Currin is a great bridge to walk across if you want to get close and personal.
But here’s another tip. You can spy the bridge broadside with the river and trees framing the view from the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway. Get out here at the right time of day, when the light is to your liking, and you can get a covered bridge photo worthy of framing.
Currin Covered Bridge facts
| Location | Layng Rd, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Built | 1883 (Repair 1995) |
| Length | 105 feet (32 m) |
| Access | Pedestrian |
| Design | Covered Howe truss |
| Crosses | Row River |
Driving Tour of Cottage Grove Covered Bridges
The Oregon Covered Bridge tour route is 20 miles (32 km) and will take 1-2 hours to complete.
- Take I-5 exit 174 and head east along Row River Rd. The Currin Bridge spans Row River at Layng road. Look out for the bright red sides – you can’t miss it.
- Continue on Row River Rd following Dorena Lake’s shore to the Dorena Bridge.
- From Dorena Bridge take Government Rd/Shoreview Drive along the other side of Dorena Lake turning onto Garoutte Road. Follow Garoutte Rd where it crosses Mosby Creek Rd – there’s Stewart Bridge.
- Continue for about 1-mile on Mosby Creek Rd to Layng Rd and you’ll come to the Mosby Creek Bridge.
- Continue west on Mosby Creek Rd which becomes Whiteaker Ave and then becomes Main St in downtown Cottage Grove. Stay on Main St to N River Rd (and the river) where you’ll find Centennial Bridge.
- Take a left onto N River Rd and you’ll come to the Chambers Railroad Bridge.
Bike or Hike the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Trail
The Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway is a 35.8-mile loop trail designed to take riders past six historic covered bridges.
Related post: What is the Pacific Northwest {for travelers}
Length of the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway
35.8-mile loop
You can ride one side of the trail as an out and back or continue around the lake.
Be aware that sections of the south side route are on country roads.
Here’s an excellent PDF map of the route.
Start and end point
The trail starts at the trailhead on 10th and Main Street (Row River Trail).
I think a better place to start is Bohemia Park for the great parking and restrooms.
The trail runs to the tip of Dorena Lake.
At that point, you can continue around the lake, out to Culp Creek, and then turn around and ride back on the other side of Dorena Lake.
Elevation
1210 ft up
1209 ft down
About 5-miles in the trail starts a long, gradual ascent to the north side of the lake.
Normally, I love my cute turquoise Townie Cruiser bike.
But 3-speeds did not do the job, and when I got to the top of the hill, I wanted to throw my bike over the side of Dorena Dam. My husband was moseying along, barely breaking a sweat; my legs were peddling so fast I looked like I was trying to make electricity!
Some sections of this trail are perfect for families and people like me with “fake” bikes.
Most of the elevation change is on the South Shore side of Dorena Lake.
Check out the elevation gain map to see which sections are best for your ride.
On the City of Cottage Grove Website, there are several videos (promo-style) to give you an idea of the scope of the ride.
Where is Cottage Grove?
Cottage Grove is in Southern Oregon, Lane County.
How far is Cottage Grove from…?
| Destination | Distance |
| Eugene, OR | 22 miles |
| Salem, OR | 84 miles |
| Newport, OR | 113 miles |
| Portland, OR | 126 miles |
| Crater Lake, OR | 135 miles |
| Bend, OR | 147 miles |
| Ashland, OR | 157 miles |
| Seattle, WA | 301 miles |
How many covered bridges are in Cottage Grove?
Six historic covered bridges are within a short drive from downtown Cottage Grove.
How many covered bridges are in Oregon?
Oregon originally had an estimated 450 – 600 covered bridges. Today 50 of Oregon’s bridges are still standing. This is the largest number of covered bridges west of the Mississippi. Twenty of the fifty bridges are in Lane County in Eugene, Springfield, Lowell, and Cottage Grove.
Why does Oregon have so many covered bridges?
Many of Oregon’s covered bridges were built around the time of WWI. Steel was scarce, and wood in Oregon was plentiful. Wood rots in the damp climate of western Oregon. The timber superstructures of the covered bridge protected the trusses and extended the bridge’s life.
Where are the access points to the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Bikeway?
The beginning of the trail runs through Cottage Grove.
You will ride behind Safeway and Walmart and all the modern conveniences that go with them.
Soon you will leave civilization behind.
There are parking and restrooms at:
Bohemia Park
Schwarz Park
Harms Park
Bake Stewart Park
Culp Creek Trailhead
What is the surface of the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Bikeway?
Paved
Other fun things to do in Cottage Grove
Check out the steel cable suspension bridge. It’s a half-mile from the Centennial Covered Bridge on South River Rd and Madison Ave. It’s open to pedestrians, but don’t worry, the latest overhaul did away with the swinging part of the swinging bridge.
A 14-acre park with picnic covers, a walking trail, pond, and playground. A 2000-seat amphitheater hosts concerts.
Baker Bay County Park at Dorena Reservoir
Campground, marina, swimming area, and boat ramp are good choices if you want to camp in the area.
Row River National Recreation Trail
14 miles of paved trail along the Row River and Dorena Reservoir.
A short, easy trail with a waterfall as the prize.
Another short beautiful hike in the area, with a great waterfall.
Take an Oregon wine tour
See details on the South Willamette Wine Trail
Applegate Trail Interpretive Center
History Museum
See the Cottage Grove murals and public art.
Cottage Grove sports over 21 murals depicting local history.
Check out the themed gardens at Village Green Resort and Gardens
14 gorgeous acres of gardens, a hotel, and a restaurant.
For gardeners, be sure to stop by Territorial Seed Company
For serious bead artists and those looking for eye candy
Eats in Cottage Grove
Buster’s Main Street Cafe – a local favorite, and Buster Keaton stayed here when he filmed “The General.”
Axe & Fiddle Public House serves pub food, craft beer, and live music.
Jack Sprats Restaurant is known for comfort food.
If you want something a little fancier, check out Stacy’s Covered Bridge Restaurant.
Other hikes in the Pacific Northwest
Latourell Falls Loop Trail, Columbia River Gorge, OR
Dog Mountain Trail, Columbia River Gorge Area, WA
Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain Loop Trail
Silver Star Mountain Trail, Skamania County, Washington
Tillamook Head Traverse Trail, Oregon
